After Tuesday's election, the country will have to embark on a new journey to heal political wounds.
For many, the effects of this election run deep, says San Diego State University (SDSU) Political Science Professor Jean Twenge.
The big question now is whether things can go back to normal after the election or if this deep divide will become part of the country's new reality.
"Talking about politics is something people are avoiding all together," he said. "I've never seen anything like it."
This election seems to be about a lot more than politics, professors say. It's put a strain on relationships at home, the workplace, and everything in between.
SDSU Political Science Professor James Igram said the Republicans have shifted away from the moderate opinions on social issues, and Democrats have drifted from those more moderate Democrats on fiscal issues.
The result, he said, has prompted more of a strained political discourse.
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"You can say, 'Please pass the potatoes', and then be contaminated by, 'how could you vote for that person?'" Ingram said of possible Thanksgiving Dinner discussions.
It's a topic Ingram said he has at times avoided in his personal life because of possible repercussions.
"Sometimes, even though I'm a political science professor, I have to avoid the topic of politics because you don't know what kind of a minefield you're stepping into," he said.
It's something that's not just affecting political experts. The election is also stressing average voters.
Recent polls show it is not just about Democrats versus Republicans, or insiders versus outsiders.
The divide has merged into young versus old, religious versus non religious, white versus non white, college educated versus non college educated.
With emotions running high, there's even reports about Americans discussing the election with their psychologists.
Most Americans are ready for the election to be over, but at least one Australian visitor hopes it could go on just a little longer.
"When it's over, we lose comedy hour every day, so if you can keep it going for as long as possible, that would be great," the tourist said.
