America’s Greatest Road Trip! Key West to Deadhorse | Book Review | Articles

Tom Cotter, the prolific writer and friend of Classic Motorsports, is at it again. This time he has documented, as the title suggests, what might just be the ultimate road trip. He and photographer Michael Alan Ross borrowed a new Ford Bronco and a tiny Airstream trailer to make the trek from Key West, Florida, to as far north as you can drive: Deadhorse, Alaska (better known as Prudhoe Bay).

In his typical folksy way, Cotter takes you with him on the journey, as he talks to small-town Americans all along the way. The photography is stunning and gives you a true sense of the grandeur and simplicity of American country life.

While much of the book covers the Lower 48, the story gets much more interesting and perhaps even a bit scary as the pair cross into Canada and then up to Alaska. Supplies of what most anything a traveler needs get plenty scarce during the second half of the trip.

While you could argue that a few more technical details would help those looking to duplicate this trip, the reality is that few, if any, of us will try to copy this long and expensive adventure, freeing Cotter to stick with stories of meeting interesting people and cool old cars seen along the way.

If you want to read about the ultimate bucket list road trip or get to know the U.S. and Canada and its people, then this book is a great read. We have driven much of the same journey and found his findings and reactions to what he experienced to be spot on.

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Comments

Colin Wood Associate Editor
2/8/24 2:51 p.m.

I'm not sure I'm ready for a road trip like that, but I have been itching for a long-distance drive, preferably out west.

Mustang50 Reader
2/18/24 6:21 p.m.

Sorry I didn't see this post until today. I read this book last month. A great read for a cold winters night. I like the way he introduces the reader to the people who live along the route. And the photographry really helped tell the story. I highly recommend it.