The Enduring Allure of the American Road Trip Experience

When abroad attending business meetings, conversations often drift to ideal vacation destinations: Ethiopia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan. Yet, friends in Italy, France, Japan, and England frequently mention one quintessential journey of their own — driving across America.

This iconic voyage — immortalized in literature, cinema, television, and visual arts — blends America’s passion for the automobile with the breathtaking expanse of its geography. From vast, isolated stretches of land to the ever-changing terrain and deep historical roots, the road trip embodies both necessity and heritage. Many Americans, at some point, have undertaken long drives spanning multiple days, whether for duty or pleasure. Personal memories often include transitions through shifting landscapes and moments of solitude on seemingly endless highways, evoking a mix of awe and unease.

For writer Aatish Taseer, who spent ten days traversing Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, the road trip held deeper significance — a personal exploration of his adopted homeland. Having been exiled from his native India, the journey symbolized a reconciliation with a country where he might spend the remainder of his life. Despite attending college in Massachusetts and residing in New York, he had resisted expanding his perspective westward, fearing it would dilute his sense of self. Yet, the trip ultimately challenged and broadened his worldview.

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