Story perspectives

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s $4.50 Gas Road Trip Sparks Criticism

5/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is producing “The Great American Road Trip,” funded by Great American Road Trip Inc. as gasoline prices $4.49-$4.55 per gallon.
Filmed with his wife and nine children over seven months, the nonprofit covered costs while Sean Duffy received no salary or royalties.
Pete Buttigieg, JB Pritzker and Gavin Newsom criticized the show, while spokesperson Nathaniel Sizemore said officials approved Sean Duffy’s participation and covered travel expenses.

History

Historical Context

After the 1919 Army convoy that inspired Eisenhower’s Interstate Highway System, the federal government began using high-profile road tours to showcase national highways—most notably the $12 million National Highway Showcase launched by DOT Secretary Federico Peña in 1995. Today Secretary Sean Duffy’s “Great American Road Trip,” criticized by Pete Buttigieg and others, revives that costly promotional model, prompting fresh congressional oversight proposals.

1 of 2

Story summary

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is producing “The Great American Road Trip,” funded by Great American Road Trip Inc. as gasoline prices $4.49-$4.55 per gallon.
Filmed with his wife and nine children over seven months, the nonprofit covered costs while Sean Duffy received no salary or royalties.
Pete Buttigieg, JB Pritzker and Gavin Newsom criticized the show, while spokesperson Nathaniel Sizemore said officials approved Sean Duffy’s participation and covered travel expenses.

1 / 2