Getting from point A to point B in the good ol’ days wasn’t as simple as plugging an address into your phone and following a soothing voice directing you to “turn left in 500 feet.” Nope, our road trips were an adventure, and our everyday driving had its own unique rhythm. From unwieldy paper maps to massive gas-guzzling cars, let’s take a nostalgic ride down memory lane and revisit how we got around back in the day.
1. Road Maps—The Foldable Puzzle
Before GPS or Google Maps, we had the trusty road map. These massive, accordion-folded pieces of paper were tucked away in the glove compartment, only to be pulled out at a rest stop or when you got really lost. Trying to unfold one of these maps in the front seat was a job in itself, and if you could refold it correctly, you felt like a genius. You’d trace the route with your finger, making sure you didn’t miss a turnoff or highway exit, and then pass it to your co-pilot for navigation. Kids today wouldn’t believe how essential—and tricky—these maps were!
2. Full-Service Gas Stations
Remember when you didn’t even have to get out of the car to fill up the tank? At full-service gas stations, an attendant would rush out as soon as you pulled up, ready to pump gas for you, check your oil, and clean your windshield while you waited in comfort. It wasn’t just about convenience—it was a little slice of hospitality. You’d often chat with the attendant while they worked, making the whole experience feel personal. Today’s self-service pumps are efficient, sure, but they lack that human touch that made fueling up feel special.
3. Gas Guzzlers
The cars we drove back then? They were huge. We’re talking big engines, heavy metal frames, and enough room to comfortably fit the entire family and then some. The price of gas might’ve been cheaper, but those gas-guzzling V8 engines sure knew how to burn through it. Whether it was a massive Oldsmobile, Cadillac, or Ford LTD, you felt like you were driving a tank down the road. Today’s sleek hybrids might be more efficient, but there’s something nostalgic about the roar of those engines and the feeling of indestructibility as you cruised down the highway.
4. Bench Seats
Cars today have bucket seats, armrests, and fancy center consoles, but back in the day, we had bench seats. These long, flat seats stretched from one door to the other, giving you plenty of room to slide around—literally! They were perfect for fitting in more passengers, and if you were lucky, your date could slide right up next to you while you drove. And let’s not forget, they were great for families—three in the front, three in the back! Sure, they weren’t the safest, but bench seats had a charm and simplicity that today’s cars just don’t offer.
5. No Seatbelts Required
Speaking of safety, seatbelts were more of a suggestion than a requirement for many years. Kids piled into the back seat without a second thought, lying across the seats or even sitting on the floor during long trips. If you had a station wagon, chances were good you rode in the back, facing out the rear window, watching the cars behind you. We didn’t have car seats or airbags, but we got by with a lot of trust and a little luck. Today’s strict seatbelt laws would’ve been unthinkable back then!
6. Manual Windows and Locks
Rolling down your window with a hand crank was just part of the driving experience. Those little knobs took some muscle, especially when you were trying to get all four windows down in the summer heat. And locking your car? No buttons, just push down the lock on each door. If you wanted to lock the passenger side, you’d lean over or walk around to the other side. Kids today wouldn’t know what to do with a car that didn’t have automatic everything!
7. The CB Radio Craze
For a while there, CB (citizens band) radios were the way to communicate on the road. Whether you were a trucker or just a road trip enthusiast, you’d have a handle (your CB nickname) and would chat with other drivers while cruising down the highway. It was a social network before the internet, complete with its own slang: “Breaker breaker, good buddy!” You’d share road conditions, speed traps, or just make small talk. The CB radio gave you a sense of connection with other drivers, a camaraderie that today’s GPS apps can’t replicate.
8. No Air Conditioning
Air conditioning in cars was a luxury—not a guarantee. Most of us relied on the 4-60 system: rolling down all four windows and driving 60 mph to cool off. Long summer trips meant hot seats, sticky legs, and a lot of windblown hair. If your car did have air conditioning, you were the envy of the neighborhood. Today’s climate-controlled cars are nice, but they’ll never match the feeling of relief when that first cool breeze hit you after rolling the windows down.
9. The Glove Compartment Atlas
Sure, road maps were helpful for getting around your state, but for those long trips? You needed the atlas. This book of maps covered the entire country, with detailed charts of highways, small towns, and back roads. It was a hefty thing to store in your glove compartment, but you never knew when you might need to check the route to a tiny town off the beaten path. Now, we can just zoom in and out on our phones, but there was something satisfying about flipping through that well-worn atlas.
10. Fuzzy Dice
Hanging a pair of fuzzy dice from your rearview mirror was the ultimate in cool car accessories. They didn’t serve any purpose other than making your ride look more personalized, but boy, did they add a bit of flair! Whether you had a pair in hot pink or classic black and white, they symbolized the carefree, fun-loving spirit of the open road. You don’t see too many fuzzy dice today, but they were an iconic part of 70s and 80s car culture.
11. Stopping to Ask for Directions
GPS? Not in our world. When you got lost back then, you’d have to stop at a gas station or diner and ask for directions. It was usually a friendly exchange—someone would draw you a quick map on the back of a napkin or give you landmarks to look for (“Turn right at the big red barn, then go about three miles past the water tower”). There was a human connection in those moments of asking for help, a charm in relying on the kindness of strangers to find your way.
12. Ashtrays and Lighters in Every Car
Every car came with an ashtray—often several—and a built-in cigarette lighter. Smoking in the car was the norm, and those ashtrays would fill up quickly on long trips. Today’s cars are smoke-free zones, but back then, every armrest had an ashtray ready to be flicked into, and lighters were used just as much for cigarettes as for the occasional impromptu firework.
13. Roadside Picnic Areas
Fast food drive-thrus weren’t as common, so on long road trips, we’d pack sandwiches and stop at roadside picnic areas for a break. These little rest stops were scattered along highways, often with nothing more than a few picnic tables and a trash can. But they were a welcome sight after hours of driving, and spreading out a picnic with the family was just part of the road trip ritual. Today’s travelers rush through drive-thrus, but we took our time, savoring the break.
14. The Station Wagon—Your Family’s Best Friend
If you grew up in the 70s or 80s, chances are your family had a station wagon. These iconic cars were the ultimate family vehicle, with their wood-paneled sides and giant cargo space in the back. You could fit luggage, kids, dogs, and everything else you needed for a road trip. And, of course, there was always the classic “back-back” seat, where you could ride facing out the rear window. Station wagons were the SUVs of their day, and every family had memories tied to their trusty wagon.
15. Manual Transmissions
Driving stick shift was a rite of passage. Learning how to balance the clutch and gas pedal while shifting gears was tricky, and those first few stalls at stoplights were embarrassing. But once you mastered it, you felt invincible. Today, most cars are automatic, and the art of driving stick is becoming a lost skill, but for those of us who learned, it’s something we’ll never forget.
16. The Sunday Drive
Back in the day, driving wasn’t just about getting somewhere—it was an event. Families would pile into the car on a Sunday afternoon for a leisurely drive with no destination in mind. You’d cruise through the countryside, roll down the windows, and just enjoy the ride. The Sunday drive wasn’t about efficiency; it was about spending time together, exploring the world at a slower pace. It’s a tradition that’s all but disappeared in our fast-paced world, but it was a cherished way to pass the time.
Looking back, the way we got around was as much about the journey as it was about the destination. From paper maps to bench seats, everything about driving felt like an adventure, full of memories and connections. Each trip, whether short or long, was packed with laughter, spontaneity, and the occasional mishap, making every moment feel special. While technology has transformed our driving experience, the nostalgia for those simpler times remains strong. The essence of exploration, discovery, and the joy of the open road is something that will always hold a cherished place in our hearts.
