Unusual Milestones Achieved While Traversing Across the United States
In the vast expanse of the United States, travelers have found unique and extraordinary ways to traverse the country, setting records and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Here are some of the most remarkable and record-breaking journeys across America.
The Motorcycle Cannonball Run records stand as a testament to the spirit of endurance and speed. These fast, often solo, cross-country motorcycle rides have a history dating back to 1917. Alan T Bedell set a historic record in 1971, riding a 4-cylinder motorcycle from Los Angeles to New York City in just 7 days 16 hours. Over the decades, several riders have improved on this time significantly, with Tibor Sarossy completing the LA to NYC ride in 1968 in a mere 45 hours 41 minutes using a BMW R69S motorcycle and a homemade large fuel tank to reduce stops.
In contrast, modern air travel has reached unprecedented levels of volume. In 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened record numbers of passengers on multiple days, with nearly 3.1 million passengers screened on one day in June. This surge in air travel sets a modern record in passenger volume, indicating a busy and booming travel season.
Other unusual travel-related events include travelers being reminded to declare agricultural items like fruits or meats when entering the US, sometimes leading to surprising enforcement by border agents. Additionally, some lesser-known US destinations are now breaking tourism records, showing changing travel patterns domestically.
One of the most unconventional forms of cross-country travel is hitchhiking. In 2015, adventurer and writer Matt Green embarked on a record-setting journey to hitchhike across the continental United States for 150 consecutive days. His journey aimed to document the kindness, diversity, and quirks of American culture and provided a unique glimpse into the spontaneous connections that can arise during such a journey.
In 2012, Kacie Fischer set a record for the fastest inline skate journey across the United States, completing the 2,500-mile trip from Solana Beach, California, to Jacksonville, Florida, in 47 days. Meanwhile, Christoph Strasser broke the record for the fastest coast-to-coast bicycle ride in the United States in 2014, completing the 3,000-mile journey in just 7 days, 15 hours, and 56 minutes.
Brad Hauter's 4,000-mile journey across the U.S. on a lawn mower in 1999 aimed to raise awareness and funds for environmental initiatives. His unusual ride became a symbol of creative activism, demonstrating how unconventional approaches can make a powerful impact in raising awareness for important causes.
Ultramarathoner Pete Kostelnick set the record for the fastest run across the United States in 2016, covering 3,067 miles from San Francisco to New York City in 42 days, 6 hours, and 30 minutes. His run required him to maintain an average of 72 miles per day and faced numerous challenges, including injuries, dehydration, and extreme fatigue.
Fischer's record-breaking skate was not only a testament to her physical endurance but also served a philanthropic purpose, as she raised awareness and funds for the Special Olympics. Hauter's lawn mower ride also served as a powerful reminder of the importance of environmental conservation.
In conclusion, the most unusual and record-breaking ways to travel across the United States combine the high-speed cross-country motorcycle challenges spanning multiple days with minimal stops and the massive volume of air travel passengers reaching historic daily records in recent years. These journeys showcase the ingenuity, endurance, and spirit of adventure that define American travel.
The bizarre tactics employed by motorcycle riders during the Motorcycle Cannonball Run challenge the limits of speed and endurance, with historical origins dating back to 1917. Modern air travel sets new records in passenger volume, creating a busy and bustling lifestyle in the 21st century.
Travelers like Kacie Fischer push the boundaries of conventional travel by breaking records for the fastest inline skate journey across the United States, while environmental activists like Brad Hauter use unconventional means like lawn mowers to raise awareness for important issues like environmental conservation.
