The more I travel internationally, the more I appreciate traveling within the United States. That wasn’t the outcome I expected when I started spending so much time overseas, but it has become increasingly obvious over the years. Travel has a funny way of highlighting things that I once took for granted.
What America Gets Right About Travel
As America marks its 250th birthday, I’ve been thinking less about monuments and fireworks than something much more ordinary: getting from one place to another.
It’s easy to overlook because most of us simply expect it, but America is an extraordinarily easy country to explore.
I’ve driven through lonely stretches of the desert where I didn’t see another car for half an hour. I’ve watched the sun rise over the Atlantic and set over the Pacific on the same day (and vice-versa). I’ve flown over Alaska, wandered through the Lower 48, and stood in Hawaii marveling at how all of this somehow belongs to the same country.
The geography is impressive, but what also stands out is how accessible it all is.
A driver’s license, a tank of gas, or an airline ticket is often all that’s required. Crossing thousands of miles doesn’t mean changing currencies, figuring out whether your phone will work, or navigating another language. The logistics fade into the background, leaving you free to enjoy the journey itself.
That freedom extends beyond geography.
Many countries reward meticulous planning. America has its share of places that demand advance planning, especially during peak season, but it still feels possible to wake up on Thursday, decide you need a change of scenery, and leave on Friday.
The infrastructure makes that kind of spontaneity possible. The same is true in the air.
Americans love complaining about airports and airlines…and there are often valid grounds for doing so. Flight delays, crowded and aging terminals, and barking TSA agents enforcing outmoded carry-on restrictions all detract from travel.
Even so, the United States has built one of the most remarkable domestic aviation networks in the world. Hundreds of communities have scheduled air service, and it’s possible to travel between almost any two cities with just a single connection.
That network quietly makes exploration possible on a scale few countries can match.
Perhaps what I appreciate most isn’t the infrastructure itself, but the culture surrounding it.
Americans travel, even if it is just domestically. We think little of driving eight hours for a weekend or flying across the country for a wedding. Exploring our own country isn’t considered unusual or extravagant: it’s simply part of life.
That wasn’t something I fully appreciated until I began spending so much time overseas.
Most countries have something they do exceptionally well. For example, Japan’s rail system is extraordinary and Singapore has built what is arguably the world’s finest airport. America doesn’t need to win every comparison. What it does remarkably well is make an enormous, diverse country surprisingly easy to experience.
As the United States turns 250, that’s one of the things I’m most grateful for. The freedom to wake up almost anywhere in America and know another unforgettable destination is well within reach may not be as visible as a monument or as dramatic as fireworks. But it is one of this country’s greatest gifts, and not one that should be taken for granted. Travel is part of what makes the United States feel like a country rather than just a collection of states. It helps explain why, over time, “The United States are” gave way to “The United States is.”
I’m offering a series of upbeat essays reflecting on America’s 250th anniversary this week.
Marvellous.
I’m all in favour of US Citizens remaining at home.
This is a very nice take Matthew, and I appreciate your upbeat attitude shift from the past couple of weeks that seemed to be crapping on many things happening in America or with our leadership. It’s also nice to get some non-AI generated (or heavily enhanced) content from You.
On the topic of traveling in America, I’d add a few more things that I think set us apart from other countries (I’ve been to 127, familiar with many cultures).
Affordable, accessible, perfectly fine lodging that’s easy to book and deal with in just about any part of the country. I’ve had plenty of issues around the world just trying to get a decent hotel, whether it be booking woes, insane predatory pricing because they can, or sub-par accommodations.
Generally, most parts of our country are welcoming to visitors. I’ve been to all 56 US states, territories, and DC. Never once did I feel like I was not welcomed, not offered kind service, or able to get a reasonable meal and drink. Speaking of food, regional food and beverage (including the experience) is so vast in the US, from a Wisconsin supper club to a NY Michelin starred restaurant, we’re very lucky in this regard.
Lastly, our national parks system is a thing of beauty. Not just visual beauty, but operationally and logistically. It’s simple goal of making the natural beauty of our country accessible to anyone who wants (sometimes with a fee, which is reasonable), on the scale it does is unmatched in my opinion. The principal on which the system was founded and continues to operate is amazing. My favorite example (one that many have probably not heard of), is Gates of the Arctic National Park. It only sees about 10,000 visitors annually, compared to 11.5M to Great Smokey Mountains (the most visited park in the US). But its importance to preservation of the unique and rugged features of its landscapes are still given top billing and funding continues.
America is far from perfect, but we do a lot of things right, and as you mention, enabling and embracing travel as a Society is certainly one of those.
Amen! Great post!
Thank you!
Wunderbar liebling!