Follows the development of roads in the United States--and the new forms of transportation that used them--from the National Highway of 1805 through railroads and paved roads for bicycles and automobiles to the interstate system.

Describes what it was like to travel by horseback, stagecoach, canalboat, flatboat, covered wagon, and sailing ship before the days of motorized travel.

Recounts the history of the stagecoach in America from the early days of the Republic to the westward expansion, using illustrations, historical documents, maps, and fictional diary entries.

"An exploration of the transformative impact of inventions and discoveries in transportation. Features include fact boxes, sidebars, biographies, and a timeline, glossary, list of recommended reading and Web sites, and index"--Provided by publisher.