Construction of the National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, began in 1811 as the first major improved highway in the United States, stretching from Maryland westward. This federal project aimed to facilitate westward expansion and improve transportation for settlers and goods. The National Road played a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape of early America, promoting trade and migration during a period of rapid growth.

The construction of the National Road (Cumberland Road) beginning in 1811 facilitated westward expansion. This development inspired American Romantic poetry, as poets like Walt Whitman celebrated the spirit of exploration and the promise of new frontiers in works that captured the essence of American identity.