Travel: 250 Years of Shaping America’s Story 250 years of American travel, and our journey is only getting started. The American Story Is a Travel Story From the first settlers navigating uncharted wilderness to the 2.4 billion trips Americans take every year, travel has always been at the heart of how this country moves, grows and connects. During America's 250th birthday, U.S. Travel Association—and the entire travel industry—is celebrating what makes this nation unlike any other: a restless, relentless desire to explore. How it started How it's going How it started How it's going How it started How it's going From Then To Now 1806 Congress authorized the construction of the National Road The first highway built by the federal government, stretching from Maryland toward the frontier. 1869 Transcontinental Railroad completed A coast-to-coast journey that once took months by wagon now took days. 1872 Yellowstone: the world's first national park America declared some places belong to everyone, sparking a system that now draws more than 300 million visits a year 1908 Ford Model T puts America on the road Car ownership went from a luxury to a way of life, allowing ordinary Americans to go where they wanted, when they wanted. 1956 The Interstate Highway System is born Eisenhower signs the Federal Aid Highway Act, launching 46,000 miles of highway that reshaped commerce and culture. 1968 Boeing 747 makes flight accessible to all The wide-body jet doubled capacity and slashed fares, launching the era of modern mass aviation. 2005 TSA PreCheck launches A new standard for airport security: faster screening without sacrificing safety. The Industry Behind Every Journey Travel didn't just evolve, the visionaries, advocates and innovators who pushed for better roads, faster planes, safer airports and more seamless experiences built the travel industry America relies on today. The U.S. travel industry generates $3 trillion in economic output and supports 15 million American jobs—one of the nation’s most powerful economic engines. Every covered wagon gave way to a cross-country flight. Every dirt road became an interstate. And behind every smooth journey is an industry that never stopped working to make the next one better. What's Constant The destinations change. The technology changes. The way we get there changes. But the reason we travel—curiosity, connection, the pursuit of something new—that's as American as 1776. 15 MILLION AMERICAN JOBS Why It Matters The U.S. travel industry generates $3 trillion in economic output and supports 15 million American jobs—one of the nation’s most powerful economic engines. Our journey is 250 years in the making, and we are only getting started. Learn more about U.S. Travel Association
