Never drive interstate

The RoadTripUsa routes reminded me of a 2 week vacation trip to the SW, that used Interstates at the start and end, but just incidental lengths in the middle.

Seattle to Brigham City was I90/82/84. To Moab was state (34) and US191, with a short time on I70 around Green River. More state roads to Telluride, followed by a loop (US550) to Durango and Cortez.

More state roads (and even a piece of county highway) across southern Utah (including UT12), with only a short time on I15 around Cedar City (UT143 to UT56).

Then across Nevada via Caliente and Tonopah (including 'Extraterrestial Hwy) to Big Pine. Then wandering north along the east side of the Sierras, with a short stint on I80 at Truckee (with CA89).

Then north to Klamath Falls, OR, with some paved forest service roads through the Modoc Lavafields. US97, US20, OR22 to Salem. The final leg was I5 from Woodburn OR (south of Portland).

A number of the routes on RoadtripUsa get their own discussions, in all or part, on this forum

US101 - Washington, Oregon, Calif - esp. the north of San Fran. is one of the most discussed roads

US2 - Washington - Glacier NP - Minnesota - frequent

US93 - The Nevada portion is often mentioned as an alternative to I15; BC/AB 93 through the Canadian Nat Parks is frequent

US83 - Road to Nowhere - infrequent. I recall one thread about the NB/SD portion

US50 - across Nevada and Colorado. Across Utah it is mostly I70 (they detour onto US6 through Price)

RT66 - people ask about this for history (or song) sake. I suspect most end up taking I40 with side trips to historic sites.

US20 - Oregon parts discussed in several pieces; Some Idaho/WY parts discussed in conjunction with Yellowstone.

WoodGlue wrote:
In Texas? You want me to drive throoooooo Texas on a 2 lane highway to see what?

This?



Oh sure sure! :B

WoodGlue

OK but the speed limit on Texas highways are 70 mph, yes I said 70mph on highways not freeways which is 75-85mph! So my question is, how many of you RVers are cruising at 75mph plus?

On a personal note... I do prefer off the beatin' path however it has gotten me in deep a couple times. That's actually one of the reasons I bought a fiver recently because I can back out of a situation. With my Class A I would get into these situations and my DW got tired of unhooking the toad and driving out while I followed :o

WoodGlue
I only bought one book :
Road Trip USA : Backroads Adventures on America's Two Lane Highways .
2nd edition published 1999 .
I recently did a search and portions of that book were online .
A guy can probably get one cheap used on ebay .
I will say it was the handiest guide for sightseeing enroute .
Plus that book lists dozens of US Hiways and the attractions nearby .
We had a great time visiting each of the attractions .
visit here and pick a route :
http://www.roadtripusa.com/

I don't have the extra 10 hours it would take for me to drive 2 lane roads going out west! Interstates are for me right now, untill i retire, then i'll have all the time and money in the world!!!!

Now staying off toll roads, i'm all for that!

I used to haunt a forum (Expedition Portal) where posters dreamed of finding cross country off-pavement routes. NS routes across states like Colorado, Oregon and Washington were relatively easy to find (most weaving together forest service roads).

Oregon Discovery Routes

EW routes are harder to find. East of the Rockies you have to settle for miles of straight gravel farm roads.

In Texas? You want me to drive throoooooo Texas on a 2 lane highway to see what?

This?

ROTFLMAO!

Those 4 lanes sections confuse the distinction between 'interstate' and other highways. While Interstate system is well defined, there are lots of highways that have the same driving conditions. And '4 lanes' can mean anything from 4 lanes through downtown with stop lights every block, to a virtual clone of an Interstate.

Years ago when we lived in Chicago and visited relatives in South Bend, we'd often take I94 to Michigan City, and switch to US20 (4 lane undivided), IN 2 (divided, grade intersections), and back to the US20 bypass (divided limited access). And until that bypass was extended east past Elkhart, we had to settle for more urban driving on US20, or a county road a mile south of the city limits.

Lowsuv wrote:
We drove US Highway 20 from Bend Oregon to Lands End ? Maine several years back .
I had a book "ROAD TRIP , USA " as the guideline .
That book is now online .
It has many roads routes and ATTRACTIONS to see by using the (2 lane ) US Highways .
US 20 was 4 lane in many states but not in the West.

Did you have to buy all 5 books?

Road Trip USA

Thanks,

WoodGlue

We drove US Highway 20 from Bend Oregon to Lands End ? Maine several years back .
I had a book "ROAD TRIP , USA " as the guideline .
That book is now online .
It has many roads routes and ATTRACTIONS to see by using the (2 lane ) US Highways .
US 20 was 4 lane in many states but not in the West.