The following roads represent a very small sampling of epic road trips that provide a connection with a less hurried and hectic way of life. Some can be driven in a day, while others require at least a week to traverse. Pick up a map—a real one, printed on paper—and find your own route to see from a motorcycle, car, or RV.
Blue highways often pass through largely unpopulated sections of the United States, so top off the gas tank before setting off. (Ekaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock)
Take a Back Road
Many years ago, the Rand McNally Road Atlas showed small, two-lane roads linking small towns in blue. Most travelers and those on the road hauling freight or moving goods avoided these out-of-the way roads in favor of faster, more efficient, multi-lane highways. Now shown in a shade of gray, these slower-paced roads meander across America, leading through small towns and past farms, over hills and mountains, and through forests….