Little over 100 years ago, the Indiana-born entrepreneur Carl G Fisher led construction on America’s first transcontinental highway and beckoned in the age of the automobile. The Lincoln Highway opened on October 31, 1913, granting a passage through 13 states and stretching 3,389 miles coast-to-coast from Times Square to Lincoln Park. A century on, and what was then a marvel of engineering is now just one of many American road trip templates, but this once-barren stretch of land has become the setting for some of the greatest stories ever told.
At the turn of the century, roads were largely confined to the centre of major towns and cities and were then shared by automobile, wagon, bicycle and pedestrian alike. That is, until Fisher suggested that a coast-to-coast thoroughfare could link communities and boost trade. What’s more, in an age where many were as yet unconvinced by the merits of the motorcar, the transcontinental highway would upend the consensus and cement the automobile’s status as one of the most important inventions of the century.
[T]he road trip is now something of an art form in itself, and often a journey of self-discovery
The Lincoln Highway, and other cross-continental routes like it, stand as modern-day monuments to the spirit of American exploration and adventure. And where once motorcars were seen as nothing more than a practical means of getting from point A to B, the roads that have come to connect America’s states have given rise to the phenomenon that is road tripping.
The modern day explorer
Though the American road trip’s origins lie with H Nelson Jackson and Sewall K Crocker, who together piloted a Touring Car in 1903 from San Francisco to New York, road tripping now often has artistic connotation. Far from a simple vacation, the road trip is now something of an art form in itself, and often a journey of self-discovery.
There exists a range of recognisable criteria for the archetypal US road trip, handed down through a century of stories, pictures and songs. From Jack Kerouac’s On the Road to Hunter S Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and onto John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, road trips have offered plenty of writers inspiration over the years. And whether the prevailing emotion is one of uncertainty, tragedy or self-discovery, these trips have made, mended and broken countless individuals.
The road trip is now a recognisable part of America itself – the classic convertible car, the diner stop, The Boss blaring from the speaker system are all both quintessentially American and integral aspects of a road trip. The all-American road trip should certainly rank among the upper echelons of every person’s bucket list.
As was written by Kerouac in the seminal road trip text On the Road: “Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.”
Top down and carefree
It’s often the case that road trip guides are full of tick lists addressing practical considerations and a plethora of bring-along baggage. However, this approach ignores the very spirit that makes the trip an adventure, and the best advice is to do away with the practical side and take this occasion to be carefree.
In the spirit of freedom and discovery, the classic American road trip could never be quite that without the right car to complete it. Forget a reliable, all-purpose SUV and consider instead the unbridled cool of a top-down machine. The road trip is freedom, and there’s no better way to appreciate this than with the wind in your hair and the peddle to the floor.
However, with so many rides and routes to choose from, it’s hard to know exactly which are best suited to your tastes, so we at Business Destinations have taken it upon ourselves to suggest the ones at the top of the pile.
With summer in full swing now, this is the time to set out on that open road with that Americana-inspired open-top vehicle. Look to classic novels, don’t over plan, and make the journey itself the destination.
Routes
Carolina Scenic Byways, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Highway 12 traverses all manner of coastal plains, and the 142-mile stretch of road demands that drivers roll the top down and welcome in the ocean breeze. The highlight here is the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, which offers unparalleled views of the Atlantic on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other.
A total of nine barrier islands obstruct the mainland coast from being buffeted by Atlantic winds and water, however, the weather still dictates the shape of the surroundings, and residents of the area’s 21 coastal villages all have outlandish stories to tell.
Overseas Highway, Florida Keys
First built in 1912 and originally intended as a railroad, the Overseas Highway spans a 113-mile stretch of the US Route 1 and links Florida’s mainland to that of the coral and limestone islets of Florida Keys. The roadway consists of 42 overseas bridges, which feed more than three million visitors annually to the now-popular tourist choice of Florida Keys.
In 2009, the overseas pass was granted the title of All-American Road by the National Scenic Byways programme – one of only 30 nationwide, and the only one in Florida to date.
Route 66, Arizona
The world’s most famous roadway, Route 66, otherwise known as the Main Street of America, covers 2,448 miles of ground and originally ran from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California.
Although Route 66 has enjoyed tourist attention since its establishment in 1926, the roadway was officially removed from the United Sates Highway System in 1985 and replaced instead by the Interstate Highway System.
As was sung by Bobby Troup in 1946 and later covered by artists including Nat King Cole, Chuck Berry and The Rolling Stones:
“If you ever plan to motor west,
Travel my way, take the highway that is best.
Get your kicks on Route 66.”
17-Mile Drive, California
There is no other road in America better suited to an open-top car than 17-Mile Drive. The road remains the main thoroughfare through the gated community of Pebble Beach and, as such, costs a pretty penny to enter. However, the ride takes you along California’s most impressive coastal roads and past the region’s must-see scenery, both natural and man-made.
Aside from the coastal view, the 17-mile route takes you past three golf courses, two luxury hotels and the Lone Cyprus Tree – one of the most photographed natural wonders in America.
Colombia River Highway, Oregon
Known as one of America’s great scenic drives, the historic Colombia River Highway runs approximately 75 miles through Troutdale to The Dalles and stands as a marvel of early twentieth-century engineering.
The roadway, sometimes called The King of Roads, was built between 1913 and 1922 and was the first planned scenic route in America. The highway’s engineer Samuel C Lancaster famously remarked that he did “not [want] to mar what God had put there,” and constructed a passage that allowed road-users to enjoy the 4,000-ft deep and 80-mile long Colombia River Gorge in its entire natural splendour.
Cars
Lincoln Continental Convertible
A far cry from Ford’s affordable, no-frills vehicles, the all-American automaker’s Lincoln division sought instead to create a luxury car with an emphasis on design and style. The first generation of the Lincoln Continental was released in 1939, although it wasn’t until the 1960s and the car’s fourth generation redesign that it became synonymous with the road trip.
The automobile’s unmistakable angles and heavy frame are today sought out by car enthusiasts seeking to sample the retro machine at full throttle.
Ferrari Daytona
Officially titled the Ferrari 365 GTB/4, this 1968 sports car is better known to the public as the Ferrari Daytona. Some say the nickname came as a result of Ferrari’s now-legendary one-two-three finish in the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours race.
In stark contrast to past Ferrari models, the Daytona exhibited sharp body contours, more reminiscent of a Lamborghini, marking something of a departure for the Italian automaker. On release, the Daytona was the fastest and most expensive road-going Ferrari ever, though satisfied customers soon declared it to be well worth the price tag.
Corvette Sting Ray
The second generation of the Chevrolet Corvette entered the market in 1963 and sparked delirium among motorheads far and wide. The car’s design was a futuristic surprise and featured unparalleled attention to detail inside and out.
The Sting Ray was painstakingly refined over the four years following its initial release, and although the car’s performance and styling underwent a fair few changes, the model’s unique frame remained largely unchanged.
Porsche Boxster
The Boxster is one of the most distinctive automobiles of the 1990s, and, on its release in 1996, became the first Porsche roadster since the Spyder 40 years previous.
The car is thought to have saved Porsche from failure in the latter stage of the 90s, and, from its introduction in 1996 to 2003, stood fast as the company’s biggest seller.
Much like its more expensive Cayman and 911 counterparts, the Boxster’s engine sits up front, and although it remains the cheapest model on the market, is a serious statement piece.
Ford Mustang
The first generation of the infamous Ford Mustang is America’s most-restored vehicle, and for good reason. Since its introduction in 1964, the machine’s long hood and short deck have inspired many copycats, though none have quite managed to rival its style.
On release, Ford estimated it would shift 100,000 units in the first year, but when the figure was blitzed only three months in, the makers realised they had something special on their hands. Fifty years on and the Mustang still invokes a certain sense of elegance, despite its muscular frame.
