USDOT Launches New Partnership in Celebration of America’s 250th Birthday
Multi-platform story telling initiative will inspire Americans to discover the people and places that make our nation special
The Great American Road Trip Inc. announced a new partnership with the Department of Transportation to help the American people pack up the car and hit the road this year in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
The partnership, which is closely aligned with President Trump’s Freedom250 program, is a multi-platform storytelling initiative designed to inspire Americans to discover the people and places that make this country the greatest on earth.
“To love America, you have to see America,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “This exciting initiative will allow communities across the country to showcase their contributions to America’s story and provide families with the tools they need to plan an unforgettable road trip. Join us on this exciting adventure, and together we can all reconnect with the shared values and experiences that define our great nation. See you out there on the road!”
“America’s 250th birthday is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring our country together through exploration and shared experience,” said Tori Barnes, Executive Director of The Great American Road Trip. “The Great American Road Trip is meant to inspire Americans to get out and see all that this incredible country has to offer. By highlighting more than 250 Official Stops and creating opportunities for engagement in communities nationwide, we’re inviting families to rediscover what makes this country extraordinary, from its history and culture to its innovation and natural beauty.”
For more information and to begin planning your journey, Americans can visit the Great American Road Trip website.
Specific Activities
Official Stops
At the center of Great American Road Trip Inc. is a curated list of more than 250 “Official Stops” featured on The Great American Road Trip website. These destinations, including national parks, museums, historic landmarks, and uniquely American roadside attractions, serve as anchor points for Americans planning their own road trips in celebration of the country’s 250th birthday.
Freedom250 Commemorative Passports
To further encourage participation in the Great American Road Trip, the Department of Transportation, through an inter-agency partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, will soon begin distributing commemorative passports through Congressional offices, enabling Americans to check off Official Stops they visit throughout the year. We will share more on how constituents can engage their Member of Congress to access these passports.
Community Engagement
In addition to self-guided travel, The Great American Road Trip will host official engagement activities at various destinations across the country. These events will convene policymakers, local business leaders, and community members to highlight the local stories, innovation, and infrastructure that continue to shape the American experience. The events are designed to foster conversation around the impact of infrastructure innovation and the future of American travel and mobility, leading up to America’s 250th birthday celebration in July and throughout 2026.
National Production Series
The initiative will include a national production, The Great American Road Trip, featuring U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and his family as they seek to inspire Americans to hit the road. Through their family experiences, the series will showcase America’s diverse landscapes, historic communities, and transportation networks that make exploration possible, encouraging families to celebrate America’s milestone birthday.
The Great American Road Trip reflects DOT’s commitment to strengthening the infrastructure that connects communities and supports tourism, economic growth, and cultural exchange across all 50 states. In alignment with Freedom250, the initiative underscores the essential role of transportation in shaping America’s past and building its next 250 years.
Great American Road Trip Car Show
Held at the U.S. Department of Transportation in early June, the DOT Freedom 250 Car Show theme will be: The Great American Road Trip Showcase – Celebrating Freedom 250. The event will not only celebrate America’s 250th anniversary through vehicles built on American soil, but also the spirit of the open road and 250 years of innovation and freedom.
Core themes include The Great American Road Trip, Freedom 250, Heritage, Innovation, Built in America, and Safety. More than a car show, this event is a celebration of American freedom, ingenuity, and the enduring bond between the open road and the American identity – anchored in the semi-quincentennial and the Great American Road Trip’s 250+ destination initiative.
