Western United States
AA-2026-10C7AF
On the image
This map details the kind of ambitious multi-state road trip that seemed like a good idea in the 1970s, before anyone truly understood the concept of 'long drive with children'. It plots a winding course through the American West, hitting every national park and landmark a family could cram into two weeks of summer vacation. The assumption was that the destination always justified the journey.
Hand-drawn routes connect cities like Salt Lake City and Denver to the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore, implying a certain level of commitment to geographical conquest. Little aeroplanes dotted along dotted lines suggest that even with the advent of air travel, the primary method of experiencing America's vastness was still by car, with occasional short hops to break up the monotony of driving.
The entire presentation, with its cheerfully rendered landmarks and intricate paths, served to reassure travellers that a journey across half a continent was simply a matter of connecting the dots. It promised adventure, but in a carefully pre-packaged, fully sanctioned format, much like life itself.
The historian's note
This object is a segment of a printed travel map or brochure from the 1970s, depicting suggested tour routes across the Western United States. It highlights popular national parks and cities, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Salt Lake City, and Denver.
Such maps were common promotional materials for travel agencies, automobile associations, or regional tourism boards during an era when personal vehicle travel was dominant for leisure. They provided visual guides for multi-state road trips, often emphasising scenic routes and major attractions. The presence of both driving routes and aeroplane symbols indicates an evolving multimodal approach to vacation planning.
These materials reflect the marketing strategies and travel trends of the mid-to-late 20th century, before widespread digital navigation and online travel planning. They served as primary tools for itinerary creation, shaping public perception of accessible tourist destinations and the practicalities of long-distance family travel.
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Western US Road Trip Map, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-10C7AF. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/western-us-road-trip-map-1970s.
@misc{aaAA202610C7AF,
title = {Western US Road Trip Map, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-10C7AF},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/western-us-road-trip-map-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Western US Road Trip Map, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-10C7AF UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/western-us-road-trip-map-1970s ER -
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