Put Gulfport On The Map!

This year, it's time to put Gulfport on the map—literally.

Best of the Road® is back, asking Americans and other road-trippers to choose the best small towns in America. 

Rand McNally and USA TODAY have teamed up again to ask everyone—friends, family, neighbors and coworkers—to put their town on the map.

The most popular small towns will be named Best of the Road in various categories: Most Beautiful, Most Patriotic, Friendliest, Most Fun and Best for Food among others.

This allows Gulfport residents, snowbirds and visitors to take pride in their favorite Florida city.  

In 2011, Best of the Road listed Gulfport as one of the tops for food. 

Now through May 15, nominate and vote for Gulfport as one of many points of interest (POI) in the 2012 Best of the Road. 

The top POI—Best Beach, Best Chili Dog or other popular attraction—will land a permanent spot on Rand McNally’s new travel site, USA TODAY's Travel website as well as a place in the 2014 Rand McNally Road Atlas.

To celebrate Best of the Road, Rand McNally and USA TODAY are promoting a three-week, cross-country road rally this summer. 

Five teams of adventure seekers will depart from Washington D.C. on June 15, travelling across America en route to Seattle, Washington.

However, the destination is not the only goal. This road trip will be to find towns that are the Most Fun, Most Patriotic, Most Beautiful, Best for Food or Friendliest town. The journey will end with a celebration on July 13. 

The teams will travel scenic routes and off roads—with no landmark or local secret undiscovered. Rand McNally and USA TODAY will determine the final teams.

If you want to be part of an exciting adventure, register team applications beginning April 23 through May 15.

To upload your nomination for Gulfport, visit www.bestoftheroad.com  now through May 15.

You can also share your love of Gulfport on Facebook, Twitter and forward to friends and family to help chances of winning (@bestoftheroad and #bestoftheroad).