When the automobile first made long-distance travel practical, a dramatic change began in the country's physical and cultural landscape. Road design and construction were challenged to keep pace with the rapidly advancing capabilities and numbers of cars. As real mobility sank into the popular consciousness, the American way of life changed forever.

This spectacularly illustrated history traces the transformation of America's roads from rutted wagon trails into safe highways. The sweat and ingenuity of increasingly ambitious construction and the roadside culture that sprang up to greet a society on the move are both explored. Places to eat, sleep, refuel, and see sights became as much a part of the travel experience as the road itself, and the histories of the most familiar roadside businesses are recounted here. More than 300 historical photographs provide fascinating documentation.