Traveling Across America: A Comparison of Pre and Post-Interstate Highway System Times
Before the Interstate Highway System was established in the 1950s, driving across the United States was a significantly longer and more challenging experience than it is today. This article delves into the estimated travel times for cross-country trips during this era, highlighting the impact that the Highway System had on modern travel.
### The Pre-Interstate Era: Long and Labyrinthine Trips
By 1950, the road network of the United States was far from the interconnected system of highways that we know today. Roads were often slow, indirect, and congested, leading to travel times that could range from one to three weeks depending on the route, vehicle conditions, and travel speed. Typically, a cross-country trip would cover about 2,500 to 3,000 miles. Some travelers, planning for a more leisurely journey, might allow two to four weeks for their trip, including breaks for sightseeing and rest stops.
### A Personal Journey: A 6-Day Trip in 1957
June 1957 marked the beginning of a memorable journey for the author, his mother, her brother, and his younger brother. Traveling from near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to near Los Angeles, the trip took six days, with an average of 9-10 hours of driving each day and two drivers. While the Interstate Highway System was still in its infancy, they made use of a few sections of toll roads and the remnants of Route 66. However, most of the trip was done on less developed roads.
One notable stop was near St. Louis, where they stayed the second night, indicating a 4-day journey from the Mississippi to the Pacific. Without using the toll roads, the eastern part of the trip extended to 2 to 3 days. The travelers managed to see some sites along the way, including volcanic formations in New Mexico and a visit to the Grand Canyon.
### Evolving Travel Times: From the 1930s to the Early 1950s
According to the author, the scenario began to change in the mid-1930s. By this time, 500-mile days became more practical for those with a sound vehicle. Journeys west of the Mississippi River became significantly faster, with traffic being light and speeds reaching 60 to 70 miles per hour. For example, the distance from Los Angeles to St. Louis, approximately 1,800 miles, could be covered in 4 days from the 1930s to the 1950s.
### The Impact of the Interstate Highway System
The Interstate Highway System, initiated in the 1950s, revolutionized the way Americans traveled. It provided more direct and efficient routes, reducing travel times significantly. For instance, the author recalled driving from Cleveland to New York in 10 hours in the early 1950s, taking advantage of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Cleveland to St. Louis was another long day but easier due to fewer big cities and a flatter terrain.
In the 1970s, with the benefit of the Interstate System, the trip from Los Angeles to Hartford, Connecticut, was completed in just 4 days, but it involved some 16-hour days and very fast driving. The flexibility to reduce travel times also meant that drivers often chose to make the journey in fewer but longer days when time was of the essence.
### Conclusion
In summary, before the Interstate Highway System, traveling across America could take anywhere from one to three weeks, depending on various factors. The establishment of this network drastically shortened travel times, making cross-country trips more efficient and pleasurable. Whether traveling in the pre-Interstate era or enjoying the convenience of today's road network, the journey remains an essential part of the American experience.
Keywords: Travel Times, Interstate Highway System, Road Trips Across America