I'm in the very early stages of planning a cross-country road trip
with my mother.  We're willing to commit about 2 to 3 months to the
trip and would like to try to use as few major highways as possible,
really getting onto as many local roads and going through as many
towns as possible on the way.  Ideally, we would like to not get onto
any highways at all, but we don't even know if it's possible.  I have
been unable to find any information on such routes.  None of the
mapquest-type websites that I have found have been able to generate
such routes.  Is this trip possible and where can I start to plan it?

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Clarification of Question by skalex-ga on 02 Jan 2005 19:17 PST

Sorry...been away for a few days.  The country is in fact the US and I
would be leaving from New York.  Thanks for the great tips so far!

Ah, road trips are my favorite!  My suggestion, having been one who
has traversed the country totally on back roads...

1. Rand McNally. Go to Wal-Mart, and purchase the Atlas.  It has
detailed enough maps to get started.

2. Contact the state(s) in which you wish to travel. You will find the
list in the atlas.  They will send you specefic state maps.  Also, a
ton of brochures of what to do in the state.

3. Use these maps in conjuction with the atlas to plan your trip, can
be done on side roads, US highways (not interstates), State Highways,
and State Roads.

4. Have fun, stop and smell all the roses, petunias, lavender, etc. 
Small towns are the GREATEST!  Eat local food, attend local churches
(small). It's much fun, and memories will last a lifetime.


Best of trip to you!

P.S. AAA may be able to help you out as well, I used to belong to
them, and they did trip maps for me in the past.

Hi Skalex,

I had begun to draw a map of interest for you. Then I realised that I
had forgotten that the US must remain the country of default when one
does not nominate any country at all. Do forgive me.

S7

1. Get a copy of Microsoft Streets & Trips, just go into settings and
set it for no intersates no toll roads, pick out your stops and it
will give you turn by turn directions.
2. Buckel up for the time of your life.

Warning: Wrong turns very often turn out to be the "Right" turn.