Horatio Nelson Jackson's 1903 transcontinental drive

Clark said the trio reached Manhattan on July 26 after 63 days, 12 hours and 30 minutes, and Jackson never collected on his bet.

“63 days, 12 hours and 30 minutes after they set out from San Francisco, they made it to Manhattan, New York”

Stuff You Should Know: Selects: The First Road Trip (Jul 11, 2026) · Listen from 52:34

Clark said Jackson spent about $8,000 on the trip in 1903, including Crocker's pay, which he equated to $267,000 today.

“It was about $8,000 back in 1903, which is $267,000 today”

Stuff You Should Know: Selects: The First Road Trip (Jul 11, 2026) · Listen from 46:27

Clark recounted that a woman on horseback deliberately sent them down a dead end to her family's farm so her relatives could see a car.

“a woman on horseback, who told them to get to the next town they should go down this road. And it dead-ended in her family's farm”

Stuff You Should Know: Selects: The First Road Trip (Jul 11, 2026) · Listen from 35:39

Clark explained that Jackson bet $50, roughly $1,500 today, that he could drive from San Francisco to New York in 90 days or less, and set out four days later.

“he slapped down a $50 wager that he could make it across the United States from San Francisco to New York in less than 90 days”

Stuff You Should Know: Selects: The First Road Trip (Jul 11, 2026) · Listen from 15:53

Bryant said the pair once had to use the block and tackle 18 times in a single day to pull themselves out of ditches, rivers or mud.

“I think the record was 18 times in a day. They had to use that block and tackle”

Stuff You Should Know: Selects: The First Road Trip (Jul 11, 2026) · Listen from 34:59

Bryant argued that routing north through Oregon to avoid the Nevada desert was the decision that ultimately made the trip successful.

“avoiding that desert, I think, is what ultimately made them successful”

Stuff You Should Know: Selects: The First Road Trip (Jul 11, 2026) · Listen from 30:20

Bryant emphasized that Jackson's trip was unsponsored and assembled in four days, in contrast to corporate teams with advance supplies and mechanics.

“He put this together in four days, including buying the car”

Stuff You Should Know: Selects: The First Road Trip (Jul 11, 2026) · Listen from 25:48