Feel free to add your clarificaitons/corrections. I took a little liberty being a Tesla fan.
1811-1869
Oregon Trail, based on Lewis and Clark expeditions from 1804-1806, connects the US to the West, creating first transcontinental route of significance. It's epoch at 1846 was rapidly replaced by railways. Costs incalculable over 5-6 months with a 6% death rate passing 10 dead settlers per mile.
1869
First transcontinental railroad, the "Pacific Railroad" completed. Cost to passengers >$1000 and several months when first opened. That's $17,000 adjusted per inflation per person. Later, emigrant class for a 7 day trip would cost $1000 adjusted for inflation.
1903
Horatio Jackson completes first cross country drive with a combustion engine. 63 days and 800 gallons of gasoline were required.
1913
Lincoln Highway: promoted by automotive entrepreneur Carl Fisher, to develop american commerce and automobiles. Raised private funds, but Henry Ford refused stating Govt, not entrepreneurs, should do it. The first route was scouted by "Trailblazers", following Lewis and Clark and the Pacific Railroad. Since gasoline stations were still rare in many parts of the country, motorists were urged to top off their gasoline at every opportunity, even if they had done so recently. Motorists should wade through water before driving through to verify the depth. The list of recommended equipment included chains, a shovel, axe, jacks, tire casings and inner tubes, tools, and (of course) a pair of Lincoln Highway pennants. And, the guide offered this sage advice: "Don't wear new shoes." The trip took around 30 days.
1955 US creates an "Interstate Plan" for defense and commerce, estimated completion 1965
First State to complete their interstates including I-80 is Nebraska 1974
I-80 is the first coast-to-coast interstate, completed in 1986
It's claimed the system was totally completed in 1992, though two sections remain incomplete due to local opposition.
By 2008, fuel costs vary but may average $5-600 for the coast-to-coast trip, 100-200 gallons of gas and 3-4 days driving straight through.
2011
First coast to coast natural gas highway, mostly for long haul trucking is completed 2011. The largest is by "Clean Energy Fuels", owned by T Boone Pickens. Still not profitable, CEF owned 250 stations in 2011 and 500 now. There are 660 stations in total. (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/locator/...ev_level2=true&ev_dc_fast=true&radius_miles=5) Cummins made 2400 natural gas engines for trucks last year, expects 10000 this year.
Natural gas is a hydrocarbon fossil fuel that has to be drilled, piped, produced and then trucked to holding tanks at stations. Filling takes about 2x longer and cost 30% less than gasoline and can cause burns. Emissions are lower than gasoline. Range for passenger vehicles averages 120-220 miles, though real world numbers tend to be lower. Analysts are bearish on CLNE http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=CLNE+Interactive#symbol=clne;range=2y;compare=;indicator=volume;charttype=area;crosshair=on;ohlcvalues=0;logscale=off;source=undefined;.
Hydrogen Fuel proponents want to copy this plan.
2012
Tesla began installing superchargers in late 2012. It completed a transcontinental network in about one year and by 2015 will cover 98% of the US population. Stations are progressively upgraded to even faster charging and eventual solar independency. Retailers subsidize the locations and car purchases fund the network build.
Jan 2014.
First transcontinental all supercharger trip in a tesla model S by John and Jill Glenney. For free. http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/first-across-us-supercharger
End of 2014:
1811-1869
Oregon Trail, based on Lewis and Clark expeditions from 1804-1806, connects the US to the West, creating first transcontinental route of significance. It's epoch at 1846 was rapidly replaced by railways. Costs incalculable over 5-6 months with a 6% death rate passing 10 dead settlers per mile.
1869
First transcontinental railroad, the "Pacific Railroad" completed. Cost to passengers >$1000 and several months when first opened. That's $17,000 adjusted per inflation per person. Later, emigrant class for a 7 day trip would cost $1000 adjusted for inflation.
1903
Horatio Jackson completes first cross country drive with a combustion engine. 63 days and 800 gallons of gasoline were required.
1913
Lincoln Highway: promoted by automotive entrepreneur Carl Fisher, to develop american commerce and automobiles. Raised private funds, but Henry Ford refused stating Govt, not entrepreneurs, should do it. The first route was scouted by "Trailblazers", following Lewis and Clark and the Pacific Railroad. Since gasoline stations were still rare in many parts of the country, motorists were urged to top off their gasoline at every opportunity, even if they had done so recently. Motorists should wade through water before driving through to verify the depth. The list of recommended equipment included chains, a shovel, axe, jacks, tire casings and inner tubes, tools, and (of course) a pair of Lincoln Highway pennants. And, the guide offered this sage advice: "Don't wear new shoes." The trip took around 30 days.
1955 US creates an "Interstate Plan" for defense and commerce, estimated completion 1965
First State to complete their interstates including I-80 is Nebraska 1974
I-80 is the first coast-to-coast interstate, completed in 1986
It's claimed the system was totally completed in 1992, though two sections remain incomplete due to local opposition.
By 2008, fuel costs vary but may average $5-600 for the coast-to-coast trip, 100-200 gallons of gas and 3-4 days driving straight through.
2011
First coast to coast natural gas highway, mostly for long haul trucking is completed 2011. The largest is by "Clean Energy Fuels", owned by T Boone Pickens. Still not profitable, CEF owned 250 stations in 2011 and 500 now. There are 660 stations in total. (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/locator/...ev_level2=true&ev_dc_fast=true&radius_miles=5) Cummins made 2400 natural gas engines for trucks last year, expects 10000 this year.
Natural gas is a hydrocarbon fossil fuel that has to be drilled, piped, produced and then trucked to holding tanks at stations. Filling takes about 2x longer and cost 30% less than gasoline and can cause burns. Emissions are lower than gasoline. Range for passenger vehicles averages 120-220 miles, though real world numbers tend to be lower. Analysts are bearish on CLNE http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=CLNE+Interactive#symbol=clne;range=2y;compare=;indicator=volume;charttype=area;crosshair=on;ohlcvalues=0;logscale=off;source=undefined;.
Hydrogen Fuel proponents want to copy this plan.
2012
Tesla began installing superchargers in late 2012. It completed a transcontinental network in about one year and by 2015 will cover 98% of the US population. Stations are progressively upgraded to even faster charging and eventual solar independency. Retailers subsidize the locations and car purchases fund the network build.
Jan 2014.
First transcontinental all supercharger trip in a tesla model S by John and Jill Glenney. For free. http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/first-across-us-supercharger
End of 2014:
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