Since 1903 when Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson, traveling with his mechanic Sewall K. Crocker, and their dog, Bud completed the first coast to coast trip by automobile, there has been an infatuation with the great American road trip.

Established on December 13, 1900, in Los Angeles, California the Automobile Club of Southern California was one of the first auto clubs established. The organization advocated for better roadways, driving safety laws, and created materials to inspire people to discover America through the road trip.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) established on March 4, 1902, in Chicago, Illinois published its first map in 1905. Two years later the association offered members the services of a touring information bureau. And in 1917 AAA began publishing guide books.

Estimates were that more than 20,000 people attended the 1915 Panama Pacific Exhibition from outside California. Many arrived by automobile. Counted among them, Edsel Ford, son of the automotive tycoon, and a few college buddies.

Emily Post chronicled her cross country trip in the best selling book, By Motor To The Golden Gate. A. L. Westgard ignited a passion for adventures on the open road with books and presenations that included magic lantern slide shows.

The Great American Road Trip

The popularity of the great American road trip as a holiday adventure has suffered ebbs and flows. In the first decade of the 20th century these odysseys were largely reserved for the wealthy. An automobile was an expensive investment that required near constant maintenance.

The introduction of the Model T by Ford was a game changer. Automobile ownership was available to the masses. With a rising middle class fueled by the growth of unions the Sunday drive became a national past time. And the family road trip vacation soon became a mainstay of American life.

As the number of vehicles on the road increased exponentially, services became more readily available. That also added to the allure of the great American road trip.

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

The post WWI economic recession blunted the national passion for road trips as a leisure activity. Likewise with the crushing poverty of the Great Depression and gas rationing during WWII.

After the war the popularity of flying turned the road trip on its head. The essence of a memory making road trip is a belief that the journey is more important than the destination. With air travel the destination became more important than the journey.

Still, the road trip adventure was ingrained in the American experience. In 1946, Nat King Cole recorded a song about getting your kicks on Route 66. In a multipart series on I Love Lucy, Lucy and Ricky drove to California, mostly on Route 66. Two young men traveling in a Corvette inspired people to discover America with road trip adventure every week on the popular television program Route 66.

Dinah Shore on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show during the 1950s sang a catchy jingle about “See the USA in Your Chevrolet.” This became one of the most iconic advertising jingles in American automotive history.

The Route 66 Centennial

There is an international perception that Route 66 is the quintesential American road trip. And in the highways centennial year the world is celebrating more than this storied highway. They are experiencing and rediscovering the magic that is the great American road trip. And they are also introducing a new generation to the infectious excitement that is an adventure on the open road.

Road trips, and Route 66, figure prominently in our work at Jim Hinckley’s America. We are passionate about sharing America’s story, and encouraging people to discover America through the road trip.

And we are passionate about sharing the adventure. So, consider this post as an invitation. Join us for Coffee With Jim on Sunday mornings. Our virtual diner is where folks get together to share stories of adventure, road trip tips, and have a laugh or two.

Our website is a portal to adventure. With Substack we are building a hub for our network. On Patreon we thank supporters by providing a behind the scenes look at projects. And the social media component is where we share the adventure in real time.

So, why do enjoy road trips? Do you hae a favorite drive?