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The Slow Disappearance of Classic American Roadside Attractions

The Slow Disappearance of Classic American Roadside Attractions

by Elias Siegelman | Feb 28, 2026

For decades, roadside attractions gave U.S. road trips a sense of surprise. Families pulled over for giant fiberglass figures, neon motels, quirky museums, and diner counters that felt tied to one town. These places were built to be noticed at driving speed and...
When Did Airport Food Become So Expensive and Where the Money Really Goes

When Did Airport Food Become So Expensive and Where the Money Really Goes

by Elias Siegelman | Feb 28, 2026

Airport meals in the United States started feeling pricey when terminals were rebuilt as revenue centers in the 1990s and early 2000s. As airports expanded gates and concourses, more budget pressure was shifted onto shops and restaurants that sit behind security....
Are Family Road Trips Becoming Too Expensive for the Average American

Are Family Road Trips Becoming Too Expensive for the Average American

by Elias Siegelman | Feb 28, 2026

For many U.S. families, a road trip used to be the fallback vacation that felt manageable. Parents could drive a familiar car, set their own pace, and control spending with a cooler, free rest stops, and modest motels. Planning often centered on maps and mileage, not...
9 U.S. Downtowns Reinventing Themselves for Modern Travelers

9 U.S. Downtowns Reinventing Themselves for Modern Travelers

by Elias Siegelman | Feb 28, 2026

Modern U.S. travelers are booking downtown stays for trips that work without constant driving. They want hotels near museums, coffee shops, and night markets, with safe lighting and clear wayfinding. Many cities are rebuilding cores around transit links, riverfront...
Why So Many Americans Are Choosing Smaller International Cities Over Famous Capitals

Why So Many Americans Are Choosing Smaller International Cities Over Famous Capitals

by Elias Siegelman | Feb 27, 2026

For years, many Americans built overseas trips around famous capitals like Paris, London, and Rome. Those cities still draw visitors, yet crowded streets, timed entry systems, and high hotel rates have changed expectations. Travelers now judge the whole week, from the...
7 Cruise Ships Retired Early And The Stories Behind Them

7 Cruise Ships Retired Early And The Stories Behind Them

by Elias Siegelman | Feb 27, 2026

Cruise ships are built for decades of service, and many run 30 to 40 years with repeated refits. Lifecycle plans assume steady cash flow and periodic upgrades to meet new safety and emissions rules. Yet a few were retired much earlier when demand collapsed, and...
8 U.S. Airports With the Longest Walks From Security to Gate

8 U.S. Airports With the Longest Walks From Security to Gate

by Elias Siegelman | Feb 27, 2026

At some U.S. hubs, the toughest part of a trip starts after TSA. Central checkpoints feed into long corridors, and gate areas may sit far beyond trains, tunnels, or connector bridges. One recent benchmark ranked large airports by the average walk time from security to...
How National Park Alternatives Are Becoming the New Bucket List

How National Park Alternatives Are Becoming the New Bucket List

by Elias Siegelman | Feb 27, 2026

National parks are still iconic, but the new brag-worthy trip is often the place next door. Crowds, timed-entry windows, and packed trailheads push travelers to look for the same wow-factor with less friction. Social feeds now reward originality as much as iconic...
What Happens to a Vacation Town When Locals Can No Longer Afford to Live There

What Happens to a Vacation Town When Locals Can No Longer Afford to Live There

by Elias Siegelman | Feb 27, 2026

Vacation towns run on a simple promise: visitors get a break, and locals keep the place running year-round. When housing costs jump faster than wages, that balance snaps, and the town’s “off season” starts to feel like a staffing and services season. What follows is...
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Howard Driving

Welcome to Backroad Planet!

I’m Howard, a guy from Central Florida who believes taking scenic routes, scouting historical sites, and immersion in local flavor are the best ways to travel. Whether it be road trips across America, fly-drives to international destinations, or cruises on the mighty waters, I invite you to use Backroad Planet’s destination stories, travel guides, and planning resources to design your own adventures. Please contact me if I can assist you in any way.

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Howard

Howard Blount Backroad Planet

Howard is an avid roadtripper, cruiser, and rail-rider. He tends to overplan, always cramming too many activities and destinations in a single itinerary. On Backroad Planet, well, he pretty much does it all . . . .

Axle

Axle dachshund in car

Axle is Howard’s occasional road trip buddy. He loves to hop in the car and travel anywhere. Long trips and short trips are both great, as long as he doesn’t get left at home!

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