Riding coast to coast - any "must sees" in USA?
 

I'm riding from Vancouver to Toronto, via the U.S.A., taking 4-5 weeks to do so. I was planning to go via Mexico, but have spoken with enough people who had unpleasant experiences in the border towns that I've decided to avoid the border (and Texas, mainly due to heat). I've already done the #101 Highway down to Cali, so plan to focus more inland this time. Likely going to head east to the Rockies, then follow them south for a while before hanging a left.
I would like to see Mount Rushmore, and spend some days/nights in the Louisiana bayou feasting on smoked ribs, but other than that, the trip's wide-open.

Don't want to take any interstates/major highways.
Any must-sees/hidden gems you would recommend? (Zion Canyon was just mentioned as worth checking out, along with the Grand Canyon)

Had a power outlet and HIDs installed yesterday by fantastic little shop in Richmond BC (synmoto.ca), and am itchin' to hit the road now. Any words of wisdom would be sincerely appreciated.

A quick google shows that to be a minimum of 4000km, so if you're avoiding highways I suspect a lot more. You happy to be riding 200km's a day five days a week?

Are you planning on any lay ups?

I made it from Flagstaff, AZ to NY in 4 days riding. Doable, but not enjoyable and I only did it because I had to...spent too much time enjoying latin america and ran out of time for my flight out of NYC. Lucky I'm going back! But yes...stay off the Interstates to see the good stuff. I loved Arizona...absolutely gorgeous!

Check out Sedona near Flagstaff in Arizona. The park is absolutely beautiful! Salt River Canyon is also spectacular and the lakes in between there and Phoenix are sensational. There is an Apache Trail (road) that is ****IN beautiful, mostly dirt road heading down towards Phoenix in the canyon country along a river and lakes and has many campsites on the way. Worth a look. Not too sure about the rest...yet. Good luck and post your finds!

WA Route 20 from I-5 to Winthrop is an amazing ride, over the North Cascasdes. Only open from about July to October. Breathtaking scenery
until you get past Twisp. Then you are in the high desert.

If you have the time, there is a lot to see in the 4 corners area around Utah-Arizona-Colorado-New Mexico. The Grand Canyon (both sides), Monument Valley, Zion, Bryce, Canyon de Chelly, Petrified Forest, etc. You could easily spend a couple of weeks just riding around this area.