‘Gilmore Girls’: A Breakdown of What Lorelai and Rory’s Morning Routine Would Have Looked Like
It is easy to spend hours thinking about the minute details of Gilmore Girls. The series, which followed the lives of Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter, Rory Gilmore, was so heavily detailed that fans often get lost in the world created by showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino. Still, she didn’t explain everything. For example, fans of the TV show are still trying to figure out Lorelai and Rory’s morning routine.
What time did Rory Gilmore start school at Chilton?
To figure out Rory and Lorelai’s morning routine, we first have to determine when Rory had to be at school. While Gilmore Girls writers never outright stated what time Rory had to be at school while at Chilton, we can figure it out.
In episode 2, “The Lorelais’ First Day at Chilton,” Rory has a meltdown because Lorelai is still asleep at 7:10 am. By the time they leave the house, it is around 7:20. They opt not to stop at Luke’s Diner for coffee for fear of being late. If Hartford was about 30 minutes away, as Rory mentioned multiple times, it is safe to assume Rory’s classes began between 8 am and 8:30 am on an average day.
While just a theory, it is backed up by the schedule for the school that inspired Chilton. Rory’s fictional prep school was based on Choate Rosemary Hall, a private boarding and day school in Wallingford, Connecticut. Choate Rosemary Hall begins its school day at 8 am.
So what time did Lorelai and Rory actually wake up in the morning during the early seasons of ‘Gilmore Girls’?
After Rory’s very first day at Chilton, Rory and Lorelai fell into a familiar routine. Gilmore Girls fans regularly saw Lorelai and Rory heading to Luke’s Diner for breakfast before ultimately beginning their days. The fact that they often had time for a leisurely breakfast, though, has some fans questioning exactly what time Lorelai and Rory got up in the morning.
In order for Rory to make it to Chilton by 8 am, she would need to get on the bus no later than 7:30 am. Considering Rory’s punctual nature, she likely got on a bus that left Stars Hollow between 7:15 and 7:20 am. To have time for breakfast at Luke’s Diner, Lorelai and Rory would need to be dressed and out of the house no later than 6:30 am for a full breakfast. If they only grabbed coffee and danish, they probably didn’t have to leave until 7 am. Based on that information, we can theorize that Rory and Lorelai woke up around 6 am on most school days.
What did Rory and Lorelai Gilmore’s morning routine consist of?
Rory and Lorelai weren’t the most responsible people. They certainly didn’t pay much attention to proper nutrition. Still, they did seem to have their morning routine down to a science. Based on early scenes from Gilmore Girls, we can assume Lorelai likely woke up a few minutes before Rory. She probably went downstairs, put on a pot of coffee, and jumped in the shower.
By the time Rory got up, Lorelai was probably out of the shower and into her first cup of coffee. She likely had Rory’s ready for her, too. A quick clothing change, a touch of makeup, and the gathering of bags and materials meant the Gilmores likely didn’t spend more than 45 minutes getting themselves together in the morning. After their obligatory ride around Stars Hollow, they set off on their days. Lorelai probably got to the Independence Inn before 8 am most mornings.
