Ah, the golden era of US travel—back when the internet was still a toddler, and “social distancing” was just not sitting next to the weird guy on the bus. It was a time when adventures were had, not just Instagrammed. Let’s take a nostalgic, slightly sardonic stroll down memory lane to a time when travel in the US had a different flavor—often cheaper, simpler, and with a dash of questionable fashion choices.
1. Gas Prices That Didn’t Make You Cry
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Remember when filling up your tank didn’t require taking out a second mortgage? Ah, the days when gas prices were low, and the open road was truly open to all.
2. Airfare: Cheap and Cheerful
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“Budget airline” wasn’t a dirty phrase; it was a reality. You could actually fly without spending a fortune, and the extra fees were for snacks, not for having the audacity to bring luggage.
3. Motels: Kitsch and Affordable
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Motels weren’t just places to stay; they were experiences, complete with neon signs and questionable continental breakfasts. You got change back from $50, and the only thing deluxe about them was the soap.
4. Roadside Attractions Galore
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Giant balls of twine, mystery spots, and dinosaurs. Road trips were measured by the number of bizarre roadside attractions visited, not miles.
5. Actual Maps: The Original GPS
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Getting lost was part of the adventure because your map couldn’t reroute you. It also couldn’t talk back, which was a plus.
6. Payphones: Because Getting Stranded Was an Option
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Before cellphones, getting stranded meant finding a payphone and hoping you had change. It was inconvenient, sure, but it made for great “survival” stories.
7. Airports: Less Security, More Mystery
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You could actually meet people at their gate, and the most invasive security check was a stern look from a TSA agent who was probably just upset they missed breakfast.
8. Free In-flight Meals
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Airlines fed you—for free! And we’re not talking peanuts and sadness. Actual meals, on actual trays, with actual cutlery.
9. Smoking Sections on Planes
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Not necessarily better for health, but it was a thing. A baffling, smoky thing.
10. Travel Agents: Your Personal Holiday Wizards
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They wielded power and knowledge, conjuring trips out of brochures and arcane systems. Now, “Let me talk to my travel agent” sounds like you’re planning a trip to 1995.
11. Less Tech, More Talk
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Travel meant disconnecting. There was no Wi-Fi, so you talked to strangers, read books, or just stared out of the window, contemplating life.
12. Theme Parks Before Fast Passes
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You waited in line like a peasant. But it was fair—everyone’s legs got equally tired.
13. Cameras with Film
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You had 24 shots, not 2,400. Each click was a commitment, and half the fun was waiting to see how badly you’d messed up the photo of that “unmissable” landmark.
14. Souvenir Shops Were Treasures
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Now, it’s all online. But there was a time when a snow globe or a spoon from a distant land was a coveted prize.
15. Bed and Breakfasts Run by Eccentric Couples
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They’d tell you their life story at breakfast whether you wanted to hear it or not. Airbnb just doesn’t have that same, um, charm.
16. The Joy of Being Unreachable
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“Sorry, I was traveling” was a valid excuse for a week of silence. Now, not answering texts for 20 minutes sparks a search party.
17. Diners with Bottomless Coffee
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They were social hubs, serving up life advice with a side of hash browns. The coffee was terrible, but the refills were endless.
18. Hitchhiking: An Acceptable Form of Travel
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Sure, it was risky, but it was also an adventure. Now, getting into a stranger’s car means you called an Uber.
19. Train Travel with Character
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Trains were less about efficiency and more about the experience. You could open windows, wander between cars, and the view was always cinematic.
20. National Parks: Less Crowded, More Wild
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You didn’t need a reservation six months in advance to see nature. It was just there, waiting.
21. Handwritten Postcards
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They took effort and stamps, and receiving one was like getting a hug in the mail. Now, it’s just instant pics with emojis.
22. Luggage Without Wheels
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You had to be strong or clever in packing because you’d be lugging that thing everywhere. It was the ultimate workout.
23. The Thrill of the Unknown
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Without Yelp or TripAdvisor, every restaurant choice was a gamble, and finding a hidden gem felt like winning the lottery.
24. Travel Brochures: The Original Pinterest
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They promised glamour and adventure in glossy prints. The reality was often different, but the dreams were vivid.
25. The Art of Doing Nothing
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Travel wasn’t about ticking off lists or capturing content. Sometimes, it was just about being somewhere else, and that was enough.
The More Things Change…
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Sure, travel today is more convenient, safer, and tech-savvy, but the adventures of yesteryear had a flavor all their own—sometimes literally, depending on what that motel breakfast was serving. Here’s to the days when travel was a little less about planning and a lot more about discovery. Maybe, just maybe, we can bring a bit of that spirit into today’s journeys.
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The post 25 Ways US Travel Was Unbeatably Better 25 Years Ago was republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Anastasia Shuraeva.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
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