A Road Trip Without Rest Stops

The affordable automobile and the expansion of the interstate highway system put America on the move. In the 1950s, the road trip became the vacation of choice. Driving became a rite of passage for teenagers, and families packed up their cars to tour the black ribbons of highway in search of freedom and adventure.

For weary travelers, the rest area made all this possible. Many states customized welcome centers with small museums or kiosks to promote the local history and attractions. These stops gave many road warriors an entry point to a part of the country never before seen.

Regional roadside stops have now been kicked to the curb by supersized commerical highway plazas. Emily Badger wrote about how rest stops are losing ground for Good Magazine.

Good Magazine: Rest Stops, R.I.P.

(Photo by daedrius via Flickr/Creative Commons)