In 1919, the young Dwight D. Eisenhower took part in a cross-country military trip from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco. But, due to the state of the highways at that time, the trip took 62 days—far too long to defend the country should the need arise. This experience made Eisenhower realize the need for a faster, more efficient mode of transportation across the country. Because of President Eisenhower’s support for the Interstate Highway System, it is now officially known as the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways.