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Trey C
Me and a friend are planning on motor-biking across the country with the goal of at least entering all 48 contiguous states. We will be riding motor-bikes that will only be able to achieve about 30-40 miles per hour, so we will need to avoid the interstate system. We will have plenty of time to complete the trip, so no worries about time constraints. Anyone that could suggest a possible route would be a great help. Thanks and have a great day.
Answer
You've really put a lot of thought into this, haven't you?
Okay, sorry, look, you're talking about a landmass that is 3,000 miles by 1,000 miles (4800km x 1600km). The interstates were built because it was so difficult to construct a route across the nation.
No joke, in 1919, Lt. Dwight D. Eisenhower was part of a military experiment to see how hard it was to drive from Washington, D.C to San Francisco. It took him more than two months. When he took-over Germany 25 years later and saw the Autobahn, it was, literally, a revelation. When he became president, he built the interstates.
It is extremely difficut to hit all of the lower 48. I've moved cross-country about six times and driven cross-country more than a dozen times, and there are states I've never entered. In my entire life, I've known about a half-dozen people who have even claimed to have been in all 48, and I don't know that I really believed all of them. (Odd point, the three who basically proved it to me by showing me their travel logs were all Canadians).
Also, if you're doing this on scooters/mopeds or something similar, realize that, in a lot of the western U.S., the next gas station is 60+ miles away. My cycle has a six-gallon gas tank and I've been on reserve more than once. I knew a guy in Utah who tried to ride a scooter to Mardi Gras. He killed the scooter (literally, last day was done in the back of a friendly person's pickup) to make it across the Texas border so that he could at least say he'd gotten an entire state away from Utah.
Some suggestions:
. Buy a Rand-McNally type road atlas and study it, in depth, before you do any other planning
. Look for the scenic routes
. Realize that different states have different helmet laws
. Realize that you may not be able to get scooters repaired in a lot of places. Travel with a support truck or use some brand with a broad suport base in the U.S., such as Honda. Honestly, it would probably be less headache to do this on bicycles than on Vespas. Why not get real motorcycles and do the interstates at least part of the trip?
. Don't get hung-up on hitting all 48, or you will probably miss some really oustanding sights. F'rinstance, you'll want to see south Florida, but that will add 1,000 miles to your trip. California Highway One will take a day or three on scooters, and you will only transit about a quarter of the length of the state.
. Weather. March in Texas is pleasant. Other parts of the states are receiving six inches of snow. North Texas may be receiving six inches of snow.
Here are some roads that may be useful:
. 93/91/89 through Montano, Idaho, Utah, Arizona goes through a lot of scenic places
. Forget Route 66. Much of what exists is under interstates. Most of it goes (actually, "went")through very boring places.
Oh man, I'm having a hard time finding non-interstate routes that traverse more than one or two states. Seriously, talk to people and put some thought into this. I think you'll want something that can do more than 40 miles per day for any real travel in the U.S.
@MrDanger -- If you'd read what I wrote, you'd realize I'm trying to tell the Asker to use some other form of transportation. But anyway, I know people who have bicycled 89/85 from Canada to Mexico. I've ridden and driven most of it, and for most of it, it's a slow, pleasant drive. Just 'cause you drive like a jomoke doesn't mean everyone is a discourteous law-breaker. Speeding fools kill kids in schoolzones all the time, where the speedlimit is only 15MPH.
You've really put a lot of thought into this, haven't you?
Okay, sorry, look, you're talking about a landmass that is 3,000 miles by 1,000 miles (4800km x 1600km). The interstates were built because it was so difficult to construct a route across the nation.
No joke, in 1919, Lt. Dwight D. Eisenhower was part of a military experiment to see how hard it was to drive from Washington, D.C to San Francisco. It took him more than two months. When he took-over Germany 25 years later and saw the Autobahn, it was, literally, a revelation. When he became president, he built the interstates.
It is extremely difficut to hit all of the lower 48. I've moved cross-country about six times and driven cross-country more than a dozen times, and there are states I've never entered. In my entire life, I've known about a half-dozen people who have even claimed to have been in all 48, and I don't know that I really believed all of them. (Odd point, the three who basically proved it to me by showing me their travel logs were all Canadians).
Also, if you're doing this on scooters/mopeds or something similar, realize that, in a lot of the western U.S., the next gas station is 60+ miles away. My cycle has a six-gallon gas tank and I've been on reserve more than once. I knew a guy in Utah who tried to ride a scooter to Mardi Gras. He killed the scooter (literally, last day was done in the back of a friendly person's pickup) to make it across the Texas border so that he could at least say he'd gotten an entire state away from Utah.
Some suggestions:
. Buy a Rand-McNally type road atlas and study it, in depth, before you do any other planning
. Look for the scenic routes
. Realize that different states have different helmet laws
. Realize that you may not be able to get scooters repaired in a lot of places. Travel with a support truck or use some brand with a broad suport base in the U.S., such as Honda. Honestly, it would probably be less headache to do this on bicycles than on Vespas. Why not get real motorcycles and do the interstates at least part of the trip?
. Don't get hung-up on hitting all 48, or you will probably miss some really oustanding sights. F'rinstance, you'll want to see south Florida, but that will add 1,000 miles to your trip. California Highway One will take a day or three on scooters, and you will only transit about a quarter of the length of the state.
. Weather. March in Texas is pleasant. Other parts of the states are receiving six inches of snow. North Texas may be receiving six inches of snow.
Here are some roads that may be useful:
. 93/91/89 through Montano, Idaho, Utah, Arizona goes through a lot of scenic places
. Forget Route 66. Much of what exists is under interstates. Most of it goes (actually, "went")through very boring places.
Oh man, I'm having a hard time finding non-interstate routes that traverse more than one or two states. Seriously, talk to people and put some thought into this. I think you'll want something that can do more than 40 miles per day for any real travel in the U.S.
@MrDanger -- If you'd read what I wrote, you'd realize I'm trying to tell the Asker to use some other form of transportation. But anyway, I know people who have bicycled 89/85 from Canada to Mexico. I've ridden and driven most of it, and for most of it, it's a slow, pleasant drive. Just 'cause you drive like a jomoke doesn't mean everyone is a discourteous law-breaker. Speeding fools kill kids in schoolzones all the time, where the speedlimit is only 15MPH.
What are some places to see from toronto to niagara falls?
HEYHEY
Hi there,
I am planning a trip to see Niagara Falls with some friends from outside Canada. We are driving from Toronto, and I was wondering what interesting places there are to see along the way!
Maybe nice farms or stores! If anyone knows points of interest along the way, I would love to hear some!
Thanks! :)
Answer
If this is going to be a day trip, your best bet is to just get there and "do" Niagara Falls. There is enough there to keep you busy all day. There is the Maid of the Mist (do it now while you can, this attraction is in jeopardy), the Whirlpool Rapids, lots of trails, shops, Clifton Hill (if you have kids - this area is a bit cheesy with its wax museums, etc.), there's a butterfly conservatory and an aviary, a tower with a restaurant to see Niagara Falls from above, the flower clock, there's a really great magic show at one of the hotels, etc.
Be sure to take a drive along the Niagara River to Niagara-on-the-Lake - there are several stunning places to stop and see the views.
Along the QEW on the way to Niagara, you will pass several wineries where you can stop and take a wine tasting tour (check for times in advance), as well as several fresh fruit stands with plenty of in-season, farm fresh fruits and veggies. There is the wine and cheese festival in St. Catharines and the Peach Festival in Winona, depending on what time of year you are planning your trip.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a great place to start or finish the day with its fine restaurants, artist's galleries and quaint, interesting shops. You can even just go to the grocery store, grab some fresh buns, cold cuts, sliced cheese and some fruit and have a picnic lunch by the lake.
If you're planning on spending a few days in the area, there is Marineland (though its getting terrible reviews lately so may not be worth the time), a few small private zoos, and of course across-the-border shopping. Depending on the age range of guests you are going with, you could stay at one of the hotels with access to one of several indoor water parks. There is also a casino and shows.
Along the way, I would find time to stop in to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington for a day (if your guests are the outdoorsy types). They have everything from rose gardens to marsh boardwalks, an arboretum and nature trails in the woods. Bring some sunflower seed and watch the chickadees feed right from your hand!
There is Wild Waterworks just off the QEW in Hamilton - a huge wave pool and water slides and tube rides. (again, depending on the age range of your guests). There is also a very long waterfront trail for walking, biking or roller blading. Someone already mentioned the Aviation Museum at Hamilton Airport (which is a bit out of the way).
Far out of the way is the African Lion Safari (in Cambridge). It is expensive, but worth visiting at least once in your lifetime. The kids will have a lot of fun. (they have a nice splash pad and water climbers, so make sure the kids bring their bathing suits).
Check out the Tourism Ontario website for other points of interest and HAVE FUN!
If this is going to be a day trip, your best bet is to just get there and "do" Niagara Falls. There is enough there to keep you busy all day. There is the Maid of the Mist (do it now while you can, this attraction is in jeopardy), the Whirlpool Rapids, lots of trails, shops, Clifton Hill (if you have kids - this area is a bit cheesy with its wax museums, etc.), there's a butterfly conservatory and an aviary, a tower with a restaurant to see Niagara Falls from above, the flower clock, there's a really great magic show at one of the hotels, etc.
Be sure to take a drive along the Niagara River to Niagara-on-the-Lake - there are several stunning places to stop and see the views.
Along the QEW on the way to Niagara, you will pass several wineries where you can stop and take a wine tasting tour (check for times in advance), as well as several fresh fruit stands with plenty of in-season, farm fresh fruits and veggies. There is the wine and cheese festival in St. Catharines and the Peach Festival in Winona, depending on what time of year you are planning your trip.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a great place to start or finish the day with its fine restaurants, artist's galleries and quaint, interesting shops. You can even just go to the grocery store, grab some fresh buns, cold cuts, sliced cheese and some fruit and have a picnic lunch by the lake.
If you're planning on spending a few days in the area, there is Marineland (though its getting terrible reviews lately so may not be worth the time), a few small private zoos, and of course across-the-border shopping. Depending on the age range of guests you are going with, you could stay at one of the hotels with access to one of several indoor water parks. There is also a casino and shows.
Along the way, I would find time to stop in to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington for a day (if your guests are the outdoorsy types). They have everything from rose gardens to marsh boardwalks, an arboretum and nature trails in the woods. Bring some sunflower seed and watch the chickadees feed right from your hand!
There is Wild Waterworks just off the QEW in Hamilton - a huge wave pool and water slides and tube rides. (again, depending on the age range of your guests). There is also a very long waterfront trail for walking, biking or roller blading. Someone already mentioned the Aviation Museum at Hamilton Airport (which is a bit out of the way).
Far out of the way is the African Lion Safari (in Cambridge). It is expensive, but worth visiting at least once in your lifetime. The kids will have a lot of fun. (they have a nice splash pad and water climbers, so make sure the kids bring their bathing suits).
Check out the Tourism Ontario website for other points of interest and HAVE FUN!
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Title Post: What route should I take to drive through all 48 states without using the interstate system?
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