• The New York Times, Monday, August 14, 2006 12:30 PM

New York Times advertising columnist Stuart Elliott is back from a three-week, 16-state, 3,989-mile road trip, and reports the country is growing increasingly homogenized. But he found a few surprises. Trend #1: Higher-priced, better-quality products are becoming part of the mainstream. Starbucks is now as common at Interstate rest stops as the fast-food mainstays. Motel chains are stocking upscale toiletries. Billboards peddle high-end brands like Pom Wonderful pomegranate beverages and Rolex and Breitling watches. Trend #2: High tech is penetrating the heartland. Free high-speed Internet access, free wireless and Wi-Fi hot spots are available at lower-priced motel chains like Quality Inn and Super 8. Meanwhile, a paucity of ads for overpriced gasoline is counterbalanced by a considerable amount of marketing for religion. One billboard on I-75, south of Gainesville, Fla., read: "The narrow road leads to life eternal. The broad road to hell. Which road are you on?"

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