American Road Trip Talk

In this episode, we dive into the romance of the open road through a once-in-a-lifetime road trip celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. Guests Markku Jaakkola and Jacob Gilbert share plans for an epic journey that begins in Detroit, winds through Chicago, follows the full length of historic Route 66 to Santa Monica, and continues on to Monterey Car Week. Along the way, they highlight iconic travel destinations such as Cadillac Ranch in Texas, Kingman, Arizona, restored roadside landmarks in Illinois, and classic diners, gas stations, and small towns that preserve the spirit of America’s “Mother Road.” More than just a drive, the conversation reflects on travel as a way to honor history, create irreplaceable memories, and inspire listeners to slow down, explore back roads, and experience the country mile by mile. Find out more and follow the journey at detroitsunforgottenwheels.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode of American Road Trip Talk; host Gary Mantz puts the spotlight on guest Dan Sullivan as he shares insights from his career with Winnebago Industries. Dan and Gary talk about making memories in RVs whether planning a first long‑distance drive or your 100th—and how iconic travel brands have shaped the modern road‑trip experience. The episode also highlights how Winnebago has become synonymous with discovery, independence, and the enduring appeal of the open road. For more information about Winnebago and Dan Sullivan visit winnebagoind.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of American Road Trip Talk, host Gary Mantz welcomes back Route 66 expert Amy Beadle for an immersive journey into Springfield, Illinois—one of the most compelling stops along America’s legendary Mother Road. The conversation explores how road trippers can experience Route 66 through historic alignments, neon sign parks, classic diners, larger‑than‑life roadside giants, and unique attractions like a pontoon boat tour over a submerged stretch of the original highway. Blending Lincoln history with mid‑century Americana, art exhibits, photography, museums, and seasonal events tied to the Route 66 centennial, the episode highlights Springfield as a must‑stop destination for travelers seeking nostalgia, culture, and authentic road trip stories. Visit visitspringfieldillinois.com for more information about Springfield and Route 66! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of American Road Trip Talk, host Gary Mantz speaks with Ian Wallis, the Sales and Marketing Manager for Louisiana's Cajun Bayou, to highlight Lafourche Parish as a must-visit springtime road trip destination. Located just an hour south of New Orleans, this region offers travelers an immersive dose of authentic Cajun culture and renowned hospitality. Road trippers can pull off the highway to enjoy lively community events like the Mud Bug Boil Off and the historic Annual Blessing of the Fleet, or seek out thrilling outdoor adventures like high-speed airboat excursions and leisurely pontoon swamp tours to see alligators up close in their natural habitat. With its rich history and unique geography divided entirely by Bayou Lafourche, the parish provides an unforgettable, authentic Louisiana experience for anyone driving through the South. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Planning a vacation? Don’t get ripped off! Adam K. Levin is a consumer advocate with more than 40 years of experience and is a nationally recognized expert on security, privacy, phishing schemes and identity theft. He is the founder of CyberScout and author of the book “Swiped: How to Protect Yourself in a World Full of Scammers, Phishers, and Identity Thieves.” Before you venture out, listen to this episode for great advice on outwitting the con artists. Encore presentation from March 11, 2022 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark Greene of Cars Yeah says, “For me an adventure drive is when you go off the freeway and onto the back roads, or no roads, out into the wilderness. Away from cities and on roads in unique locations where tourists rarely venture.” Mark is our guest and he has stories of remarkable men and women who have done it. Encore presentation from March 8, 2024 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gary Mantz sits down with Adam Ducharme, the tourism director for Colorado's Lake County, to explore the breathtaking Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway. Road trippers are invited to journey through Leadville and Twin Lakes, discovering a route rich with both historic artifacts and pristine natural beauty. Ducharme highlights a variety of must-see destinations along the drive, including the WWII training grounds of Camp Hale, the historic Silver Dollar Saloon, and accessible ghost towns like Independence and the Interlaken Hotel. Whether visitors are navigating the stunning elevations of Independence Pass or taking in the area's towering 14,000-foot peaks, they are also encouraged to embrace responsible destination stewardship to protect the region's returning wildlife and fragile ecosystems. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of American Road Trip Talk, Gary Mantz takes listeners on a journey to Southern Colorado's spectacular San Luis Valley. Joined by Julie Chacon, Executive Director of the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway, the conversation explores a secluded region rich with deep historical roots predating Colorado's statehood. Travelers looking for their next road trip destination will discover a wealth of outdoor adventures, including sandboarding at the Great Sand Dunes National Park, skiing at Wolf Creek, and camping under an official Dark Sky designation. Along with highlighting the area's stunning natural vistas, Julie emphasizes the importance of traveling responsibly by giving local wildlife their space and protecting the hidden locations of ancient indigenous petroglyphs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this encore edition of American Road Trip Talk, we are diving deep into the Garden State’s most enduring legends. Our special guest, Karl Petry, will serve as our guide through the strange and fascinating history of the region. Among them, the terrifying “New Jersey Devil”, the state’s clown prince of Paterson, Lou Costello, and the luxurious seaside resort town of Cape May. Also, there is the forbidding Sleepy Hollow, made famous by Washington Irving. Buckle up for a journey through folklore and history! Encore presentation originally aired January 9, 2026 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of American Road Trip Talk, listeners are taken on a nostalgic journey through the rolling hills of the Ozarks to explore the vibrant history and quirky roadside culture of Pulaski County, Missouri. Guest Beth Wiles, Executive Director of the Pulaski County Tourism Bureau, guides travelers along 33 intact miles of historic Route 66, highlighting iconic stops that range from the scenic bluffs of Devil’s Elbow to the eccentric humor of the Uranus "sideshow" complex. The discussion weaves together the deep heritage of the region—including the Trail of Tears and Civil War history—with essential road trip experiences like hunting for neon signs, sampling local barbecue and burgers, and discovering the authentic "Mother Road" spirit that draws visitors from around the globe. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This year Route 66 is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and we've invited the executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, Casey Claypool, to chat about famous stops, diners and events happening in Illinois to celebrate the Centennial. Website: https://illinoisroute66.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of American Road Trip Talk, we sit down with researcher and former Finding Bigfoot host Cliff Barackman, who is also the curator of the North American Bigfoot Center. In the town of Boring, Oregon, the center distinguishes itself from typical roadside attractions by operating as a serious natural history museum dedicated to the anthropological study of Sasquatch. Travelers passing through the Pacific Northwest are invited to explore a vast curation of evidence—including track casts, historical film analysis, and even a "butt print" from the Blue Mountains—offering a fascinating and educational pit stop for anyone curious about the mystery of North America’s elusive wild ape. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gary Mantz sits down with Sally Fuller to chat about this friendly little competition between Liberal, Kansas, and Olney, England, with women running 415 yards down the streets of each town flipping pancakes. It all started in 1950 from a magazine picture of the Olney women racing each other to the church. Liberal Jaycee President R.J. Leete contacted the Rev. Ronald Collins, Vicar of St. Peter and St. Paul’s church in Olney, challenging their women to race against women of Liberal. Like in Olney, the traditional prize of the race is the “Kiss of Peace” from the verger (bellringer). It is still the only race of its kind on the planet. Website(s): https://pancakeday.net / https://visitliberal.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of American Road Trip Talk, we pay another visit to Springfield, Illinois, where Amy Beadle discusses the city's extensive preparations for the 2026 Route 66 Centennial. Beadle outlines a robust calendar of upcoming events, including a unique Centennial 5K race on the historic fairgrounds' dirt mile track, the return of the International Carillon Festival over Memorial Day weekend, and the "History Comes Alive" program featuring world-class Abraham Lincoln reenactors. The conversation also covers essential travel tips, from exploring the city's walkable historic sites to sampling local culinary icons like the "Horseshoe" sandwich and the original Cozy Dog. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s edition of American Road Trip Talk, we are diving deep into the Garden State’s most enduring legends. Our special guest, Karl Petry, will serve as our guide through the strange and fascinating history of the region. Among them, the terrifying “New Jersey Devil”, the state’s clown prince of Paterson, Lou Costello, and the luxurious seaside resort town of Cape May. Also, there is the forbidding Sleepy Hollow, made famous by Washington Irving. Buckle up for a journey through folklore and history! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s edition of American Road Trip Talk, Sharon Strouse joins us whose has been involved with the National Scenic Byway program since 1997. As Executive Director of NSBF, she leads our member driven nonprofit organization to be the ‘National Voice of Scenic Byways and Roads,’ along with our national partners. Supporting byway leaders to protect and enhance their byway resources has been her aspiration. Through planning, fund-raising and education, she has gained experience at the local, state and national levels working with byways and byway leaders. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Across America, Holiday celebrations are in full swing. Road trip expert Jessica Dunham joins us to talk about notable places where Christmastime is happening spectacularly with unique experiences to offer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leavenworth, Washington captures the seasonal magic of the Cascade Mountains, where snow-dusted, peaked Bavarian roofs and a spectacular lighting festival create a landscape that looks like a hand-painted greeting card. Beyond the world-class Christmas charm and German delicacies, listeners will also receive essential winter travel tips, from navigating snowy mountain passes with the right tires to finding alternate routes during local flooding. Whether you're dreaming of a day trip to see the lights or planning a festive adventure on the alpine roller coaster, this holiday special is your guide to one of the most scenic destinations in North America. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While Santa is out enjoying his milk and cookies, Greg Rynearson has another perfect pair… Cops & Doughnuts! Since 1896, a doughnut shop and bakery in Clare, Michigan dubbed “Cops and Doughnuts,” offers a warm fresh doughnut and a steaming cup of cops coffee while you enjoy the police decor and friendly, and very safe, atmosphere. Greg is a former police officer of Clare City and a proud owner of this establishment, and he joins us to share all about the community engagements this holiday season in this week’s edition of American Road Trip Talk! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week’s edition of American Road Trip Talk, we feature a special spotlight of Highway 12 Winery for the first few minutes of the show. Then for the rest of the episode, Jennifer Morrison joins us who is the Director of Vehicle Safety at Mazda North American Operations, overseeing the strategic vision and execution of MNAO’s comprehensive vehicle safety program, aligning industry-leading ratings with the company’s proactive safety philosophy and vision for a zero-fatality society. Before working for Mazda, Morrison spent over 15 years at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigating highway crashes as an Investigator-in-Charge and a safety advocate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.