Washington – The Department of Transportation (DOT) finally released the long‑awaited reality series Great American Road Trip on Wednesday. The six‑episode show, posted to YouTube, follows Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, his wife Rachel Campos‑Duffy – a co‑host of Fox & Friends – and their nine children as they travel through seven states, highlighting local attractions and encouraging family travel.

Series details and rollout

The series was originally slated for a June debut to coincide with the nation’s 250th‑birthday celebrations. A DOT spokesperson later explained the delay, noting that the anniversary is a year‑long celebration and the timing was adjusted accordingly. The first episode opens with a drive to Philadelphia and includes a brief stop at the Oval Office to greet former President Donald Trump. Subsequent episodes visit Massachusetts, Wyoming, Montana, South Carolina, Texas and Arizona.

Funding and criticism

Critics in Congress, primarily Democratic members, raised concerns that the series was being produced while gasoline prices surged amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, making travel more costly for ordinary Americans. Additional scrutiny focused on the program’s sponsors—Boeing, Shell, Toyota, United Airlines and Royal Caribbean—citing potential conflicts of interest given their business before the DOT.

In response, Rachel Campos‑Duffy posted on X in May, stating that all production costs were covered by the nonprofit organization The Great American Road Trip, Inc., and that neither she nor her husband received personal compensation. The nonprofit, classified as a 501(c)(4) organization, maintains that the series is an independent effort to promote domestic tourism.

Secretary Duffy’s vision

Secretary Duffy has promoted the series as an “Americana” experience, emphasizing the cultural value of road travel for families. At a DOT event last year, he told attendees, “There’s nothing more American than a road trip,” and described the show as a way to showcase the nation’s diverse regions while reinforcing family bonds.

Public reaction

Early viewer comments on YouTube reflect a mix of enthusiasm for the family‑focused travel content and lingering skepticism about the program’s timing and sponsorship. Supporters appreciate the emphasis on family travel and the opportunity to see lesser‑known destinations, while detractors continue to question the appropriateness of a federal department producing entertainment content during a period of elevated fuel costs.

What’s next

The DOT has not announced additional episodes beyond the initial six, but the series is expected to continue highlighting different states and attractions throughout the remainder of the year. Viewers can follow the series on the official DOT YouTube channel.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.