Final answer:
Americans use major highways primarily for commuting to work and commercial transportation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Americans utilize major highways in several ways. Approximately 86.5 percent of Americans use them to commute to work, with most driving alone, while others participate in carpools. Highways are also crucial for commercial transportation, with the Federal Highway Act of 1956 facilitating the movement of goods by trucking across the nation.
Moreover, the construction of interstate highways changed the economic and social landscapes. It spurred the growth of industries such as glass, steel, rubber, and oil, transforming America into a petroleum-driven economy. The infrastructure also led to the development of motels and restaurants along these routes, changing domestic travel, shopping, and living patterns by enabling the rise of automobile suburbs.
While the interstate system eased travel from coast to coast, which was particularly obvious by 1964, it also led to the decline of small towns bypassed by these major roads. However, this infrastructure was imperative for America’s growth, connecting different states and cultures, as much as it transformed individual lives and the economy.