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non freeway routes across U.S. non freeway routes across U.S.
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Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 30 Dec 2012
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non freeway routes across U.S.
I have become interested in crossing the U.S. on a Yamaha Zuma 125, also known as a BWS 125. It is to small to be freeway legal here. I would appreciate any information on maps/resources that would help me put together a route that does not use freeways. I looked at cycling maps, but many states allow bicycles to ride on the shoulders of freeways, but not motor vehicles.
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Old 30 Dec 2012
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Have a look at this website, I think it contains exactly what you are looking for.

National Byways

Some of the 'numbered' roads in the USA are also quite pleasant, for example, Highway 2 across the top of the USA, and what remains of Route 66.

In your case, though, I think you would have a most enjoyable time if you stayed off the 'primary roads' (the ones that are true highways, which of course includes the interstate expressways), and stuck to the secondary or tertiary roads. The 'byways', for the most part, are secondary roads.

Michael
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  #3  
Old 30 Dec 2012
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I bought a copy of this a while back to help plan my trip to the US next year...

Amazon.com: Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways (9781598809251): Jamie Jensen: Books

Obviously I can't speak for its accuracy yet, but it's a very interesting read.
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  #4  
Old 31 Dec 2012
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Thanks. Much appreciate the information. I guess I was looking in the wrong place. I quickly found route 70, which starts in Globe, AZ, only about 50 miles from where I live, and goes all the way to the east coast. Looks ideal for a first long distance scooter trip. I'm currently checking the road conditions on all the different sections of it. If it can be done in a car, my scooter should be able to handle it.
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  #5  
Old 7 Jan 2013
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My wife and I rode 100cc SYM Symbas across the US (from Oregon to NC, then up to Toronto) a couple of years ago (the first leg of our RTW ride) and used Google Maps for the routing. If you use the Google Maps website and click on "Get Directions" you can enter an origin and a destination. Below that box is a "Show Options" button that you can click and select "Avoid Highways", then it will route you off of the Interstates. Bikes under 150ccs are not allowed on the Interstate system (if its got a red/white/blue route marker like I-10 or I-395). It was pretty easy to plan a route this way, have a good ride!
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Old 7 Jan 2013
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Route 50 goes all the way from Ocean City, Maryland to Sacramento, California. Nice road; I road it from Ocean City to Dodge City a few years ago before bad weather in the Rockies forced me to divert further south.
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Old 21 Jan 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big-Bob View Post
I have become interested in crossing the U.S. on a Yamaha Zuma 125, also known as a BWS 125. It is to small to be freeway legal here. I would appreciate any information on maps/resources that would help me put together a route that does not use freeways. I looked at cycling maps, but many states allow bicycles to ride on the shoulders of freeways, but not motor vehicles.
Try www.adventurecycling.com and look at Route maps. The routes are friendly roads for Bicycle touring so your Zuma 125 should find low traffic roads and all the info about camping, emergency/police contacts and points of interest.
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Old 22 Feb 2013
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All great advice...I'm partial to US 2 across the northern tier of states, or US 50. Both are scenic and lots of access to secondary roads.

Enjoy yourself!

Steve
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  #9  
Old 23 Feb 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Underboning View Post
If you use the Google Maps website and click on "Get Directions" you can enter an origin and a destination. Below that box is a "Show Options" button that you can click and select "Avoid Highways", then it will route you off of the Interstates.
Same with most GPS units. Select "avoid" highways (or whatever else you want to avoid) and it will route you accordingly.

Good luck!
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