Traveling the backroads of America

A couple of decades ago Earl Tholander wrote a set of 'backroads' books

http://www.amazon.com/Earl-Thollander/e/B001HMQVJE/ref=la_B001HMQVJE_pg_1?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB001HMQVJE&ie=UTF8&qid=1371783663

I have several west coast state volumes, though I see he has a few else where (New England, Carolinas, Texas). Text, illustrations and maps are all hand drawn. At least in states like Washington, he drove a lot of gravel roads, probably in a pickup or station wagon.

My experience in the upper midwestern states is that the most scenic drives are near rivers and lakes. State parks are often located there as well. In between the drive consists of a lot of fields and scattering of small towns.

What's your idea of backroad? Anything that isn't freeway (interstate). Is US2 a backroad? MT200? Or are you thinking of county roads? Forest service roads (not many of those east of the Rockies). Designated scenic byways? Any decent state level highway map will show all state highways, and some county level roads. Or are you wondering more about sights to see and history?

Can't give you a book, but America's ByWays has some neat ones, at lease for New Mexico.

State Tourist Booklets & State Maps might have them listed as well, such as NM Parks and Byways.

And State DOT, such as NM DOT Byways.

Iowa DOT Byways . or . Explore Minnesota - Scenic Byways Map

North Dakota Scenic Drives . or . ND State Byways and Backways Map

Some what a backroad, IMHO, the drive up from Duluth to Thunder Bay in Minnesota:
Only stayed at Gooseberry Falls, & stopped at Split Rock Lighthouse & Grand Portage National Monument. The port area by the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth is neat place to walk & tour. Grand Portage National Monument was a neat stop/site.

Old Post - Duluth to Thunder Bay

Check Roadside America as you explore. Maybe you'll find something interesting.
Enjoy your travels.

Read Blue Highways. Not a RV'ing book, but a very good read about traveling back roads. On many maps, the big highways were red and the secondary and tertiary roads were varying widths of blue.

You earn things like how many business/bank calendars were hanging in the local cafe related to how good the food and pies were.

William Least Heat Moon wrote it. He did the border of the US on back roads.

Going picking? Looking for rusty Gold?
Couldn't help it.

A DeLorme Atlas for each state you will be visiting.

The maps are very detailed.

Get a 'general info' pamphlet from each state dept of tourism.

As questions here about what things are 'must see' and 'must do' along your route.