Free Air (1919) by Sinclair Lewis is one of America's first road-trip novels. It follows Claire Boltwood, a wealthy, pampered young woman from Brooklyn, as she and her father drive across the country by automobile toward Seattle. When her father suffers a nervous breakdown on the rugged prairie roads, they are rescued by Milt Daggett, a resourceful and honest small-town mechanic. As their journey continues, Claire grows drawn to Milt's vitality and authenticity, contrasting sharply with her refined Eastern suitors. The novel explores class divides, gender roles, and the promise of the open road, capturing America's emerging automobile culture and pioneering spirit.
