Map/Scenic Route Book Tips US/Can
 

Hi,

Am looking into a 3 month trip across USA/Canada, from west to east arriving somewhere west coast from Australia, then leaving somewhere East coast to UK - nothing definite yet as need to check out shipping/flight costs.

Any suggestions of map books (have got a couple of map books and motorcycle routes for NZ and Australia already) for USA or Canada?

Have seen references to National Geographic scenic roads, but is the book I want the Highways and Byways one or the interstate one?

Have also seen various links to road trips - am planning to arrive June 09 and leave for UK August 09 - but any suggestions about how much we could cover would be great (traveling 2-up, normal riding day approx. 300kms).

Thanks,
Joey

Hi Joey.
Last year I used MotorcycleRoads.US
greetings!
Randa

Also Road Trip USA
ROAD TRIP USA

There is a magazine called "Arizona Highways" or something like that which has the state of Arizona in detail as far as scenic places to see, from a car trip perspective. 3 months will give you plenty of time to loop through these 2 countries. The only thing to consider is whether the routes go through mountains, as some of the higher elevations may have snowstorms, even in the summertime (i.e. Colorado and Montana).

Here's the online version of AZ Highways:

Arizona Highways

If you go to the NG books definately go for the "scenic byways". The interstates are generaly fast and boring. You will not see much of the real country sticking to interstates.

I used to have a book called "Canadian book of the road" which was excellent. It might have been a auto club publication. Try googlling it.

You will find that each Canadian Province has a tourism web site and each will mail you a ton of info for free.

I rode rom Alberta to Alaska, then across Canada from west to east and back through the northern US last spring/summer, most of it 2 up. We rode backroads whenever possible. My blog is Backroad Explorers.ca

You may get some ideas/route suggestions from our trip notes.

Cheers

Great tips...
 

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Will start contacting the tourist offices for some info packs.

Bill - was searching the web last night and found your website - started reading it and there is so much info to take in - but it will definitely be really helpful!

Once we have visa's sorted for USA and Canada - has anyone had problems with moving back and forth with their bikes between the borders?

And is GPS essential for USA and Canada?
Haven't got anything at the moment (only a girlfriend on the back giving sharp taps on my shoulders!) but there is always the Christmas wish list!

Cheers,
Joey

Order US state highway maps for free.
 

You can go to most of the official government websites for each of the states, and order (for free) their official Highway map. These will be larger in size, easier to read, and more suited for folding and sticking in a tank bag map case than a road atlas, plus they contain a bit more detail than the Atlas maps.

I don't know that they send for free to addresses outside the US (or Canada) but all you need is a friend's US address you can use - and about 4 weeks processing time (although when I did this - ordering during the winter months - most arrived in 7 to 10 days time).

The only states in the western US that I couldn't get a free map from were California and Arizona - probably due to the large number of tourists that travel to these states, and budget issues for providing these for 'free'.

So, google the individual states, look for the '.gov' addresses, and look for the Transportation or Highway section on each states website and you'll usually find a link for ordering their map online.

As far as N. America, the only place that I could see necessary to have a GPS would be the remote parts of Baja, Mexico.

However, if you are talking about Christmas wish lists, then by all means, tell your significant other (or whoever is buying one for you) that in order to effectively navigate across this "large-ish" continent, it would be a near necessity to have a GPS, perhaps the more expensive one with lots of features...

(show them the next post which is my post edited for effect)

In order to effectively navigate across this "large-ish" continent, it would be a near necessity to have a GPS, perhaps the more expensive one with lots of features...

Advice
 

Joey here is a link to what we did in "06
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t=trans+Canada
The best map book was given to us by a rider on a Gold Wing that we met over there, I think it was a Canadian Tire Road Atlas (I will check the exact name when I get home) these are available from Canadian Tire shops of course.
We basically did 18000km in 9 weeks and had a ball. My ride at that time was a CBR1100XX and my mate had a VFR800, both perfect for the task. We stayed off all major highways and met some great locals away from the tourist traps.
Shipped bikes into Vancouver and basically did an anti clockwise loop of the Rockies then headed East skirting the top of the Great Lakes then down to Toronto and back West through the upper states of the US to Seattle then Vancouver, up to Bella Coola and a day ferry ride down to Vancouver Island via the inside passage (fan bloody tastic day). :funmeteryes:
Will check on the map and let you know!
Glen

We were not required to have Visa's, I think the cutoff point was 3 months max in USA without one. This may well of changed.
At some of the half dozen border crossing they did not even want to see the passports. We had to make them look at them and scan them. Others confiscated our beef jerky and only wanted to know which US state those number plates (QLD) were from.

GPS was not used by us, but to navigate in some of the larger cities it would have been a help but was not essential. Now have a Garmin Zumo 550 and love it, but they are not without their flaws.

Glen

I was close, NOT!
This is the one, Rand McNally $9.95 USD The Road Atlas US, Canada, Mexico. You can buy it online here 2008 Rand McNally Road Atlas - Rand McNally Atlases - Road Atlases - Rand McNally it is a little on the large size, 28 x 39cm but the detail is work the inconvenience. I carried it inside the lid of the top box for easy access.

Hope this helps
Glen

hey joey.

check out www.destinationhighways.com. the best bike books for riders in California, Washington and British Columbia. full info on the best and most scenic roads and there ratings out of 100. from pavement, twistiness, scenery and even remoteness. tons on camping and hotels and a real good laugh to. very detailed maps as well.

i actually use a harley davidson ride atlas (see amazon, etc). shows scenic routes, etc and is more compact than many others. fairly sturdy as well.

gps is probably not strictly necessary, but very useful. i would definitely try to pick one up, but if not no huge deal.

and stay off the interstates--boring and often lots of traffic. i like the "US highways" the best--generally two lane, although sometimes four. Highway, or Route 50 goes all the way from sacremento, californiia to ocean city maryland.

Joey

I've ridden across the US twice now and plan to return to Canada next year to ride to Alaska then across to the East Coast, so I'm starting to plan already.

Maps - At home I use an old Barnes & Noble Road Atlas which is fantastically detailed and perfect for planning. On the road I used free maps published by AAA and CAA, one for each state. A friend in the US is an AAA member and can get as many as he wants. These he posts to me.

Books - Where do you start? There are so many, in fact it's easy to over-research. But here are my favourites -

USA - THE EAST, MIDWEST AND SOUTH, a Nelles Guide (ISBN 3-88618-414-5)

GREAT AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE TOURS by Gary McKechnie (ISBN 1-56261-440-1)

ROAD TRIP USA by Jamie Jensen (ISBN 1-56691-396-9)

CROSSING AMERICA - An Insight Guide (ISBN 0-88729-647-5)

CALIFORNIA - An Insight Guide

ALASKA - An Insight Guide (ISBN 981-4137-79-0)

CANADA - An Insight Guide

The Insight Guides are superb but made but top quality paper and heavy. When my wife came out to visit me on my last trip, she took many of my guides back. Just too heavy on a bike.

Please have a look at the following as it has some useful information -

FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA AND BACK

Paul