Did you wait until it was all done snowing or go out a couple of times to make it easier? My rule of thumb is <12 inches wait until it is done, >12 inches do it in a couple of sessions so that it isn't as deep and the plow can't drift you in.26" inches was the final tally for where i'm at. spent a solid 6hrs shoveling my parents' driveway (very large gravel driveway).
I didnt bother trying to drive anywhere. I just stayed in and played video games all day + the 2 days i got off work lol.