I spent a good portion of my child and young-adult life on vacation, sitting in the back seats of my family’s 1989 Chevy van—still running strong with nearly 250,000 miles under its belt. When not sleeping, reading, cutting things with my pocket knife or bickering with my siblings, which seemed to be the most prevalent, I was pressing my nose against the already “smudge-ified” glass to watch that big, sometimes unfamiliar world slowly slip away in a blur of green and gray.

From each of our little portals to the world, there was a variety of sights to see. It was from those windows that I caught my first glimpses of Niagara Falls, the red sands of Prince Edward Island, the night lights of countless urban expanses, both of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the expansive wilderness of Alaska. But unfortunately, it seemed that the majority of the time the view from our windows was quite monotonous. For this we had the interstate system to thank.

The interstate has done many things for out nation, good and bad. The efficiency and rate at which travel can occur has increased tremendously; it has given many people jobs, it has established the automobile as the primary means of American transportation— downplaying mass transportation. It has also cost billions upon billions of dollars, and constantly requires more for maintenance. But most importantly, it has had the social effect of making travel focus on the destination, rather than on the journey itself.

Overall, travel is more monotonous than it was in its early days. The historic old highway routes went through much more scenic and interesting places than an interstate does. One passed through countless towns of all sizes, and drove right through the forests and among the landscape. The only towns one currently seems to pass through on the interstate are large ones, and these are generally obstructed from view by concrete sound barriers. Except for very few instances, while on the interstate one feels removed from their surroundings—separated by large grass ditches on either side.

A vacation used to be just as much about the journey. Families had fun together in the car playing games and finding ways to incorporate the surroundings into their fun. Even a vehicle’s design reflected this different cultural view of travel. Station wagons were very popular for a time because they were big, roomy, and had features like opposed seats that enhanced the experience of traveling down the road.

In our present day, we see the effects that this cultural change in travel ideals has manifested. What do families do on the way to their destination? The kids play video games and watch movies, headphones stuck to ears, while Mom reads a book and Dad drives in the blissful splendor of a quiet vehicle. With all these amenities common and considered basic in many “family” vehicles, manufacturers have accommodated our changing desires in what we want from the journey: distraction. While all this may result in a more pleasurable experience for the driver, I feel that something is missing.

Something special about the experience of driving down the road is gone from travel—something that used to be unique to the American experience. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like the interstates are going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean we have to subject ourselves to their monotony. There are still countless highways, though perhaps requiring more maneuvering, which add to the experience. And even if you have to travel on the interstate, remember that those exit ramps were built for a reason. There are countless interesting things to stop and see on the way to your destination, giving a chance to break monotony. And once in a while, it’s nice to turn off the iPods, Gameboys and TVs and just enjoy each other’s company. Save the electronics for when the bickering begins.