25 Ways US Travel Was Unbeatably Better 25 Years Ago

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.