The 1950s and 1960s were the eras that saw the rise of the family road trip. Advanced automobiles, roads, and the advent of the station wagon added to the appeal of piling everyone in a car for a long journey.

The colorized photos in this montage feature many great locations, from classic roads to famed National Parks. A stunning 1957 Ford convertible in navy blue holds a family of four as they smile at the camera while parked in front of a mountain.

In Virginia City, Nevada, in 1954, a brightly colored street with a small hotel and two women looking like they’ve arrived at their vacation spot. There’s also a 1957 Dodge Wagon with a group of small kids in the back of the fire-red car. The kids are standing out of the back window and smiling in the sunlight in front of a large lake.
One photo shows a 1963 Pontiac driving on the mountainside while a bear cub walks along the side of the road in step with the vehicle. Another road trip photo is from Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park from 1950. The scenes show multiple family cars and a pick-up truck parked in front of a huge tree that hides a cabin and a trail.

The family road trip also visited Jack Rabbit Ranch in New Mexico in 1960. A single car parked outside at a roadside stop with old Native American-style tents fills the frame

The Rocky Mountains are also featured in a 1950 picture that shows a family of three posing with their arms around each other on the side of the road next to their car.

The timeless family road trip was born in the 50s and 60s, but it still has popularity today as families continue to travel by car to beautiful sites in America. These old photos showcase the glory of the first road trip surge in American history.