Cross-country treks: a coast-to-coast drive
By Grant Davis
Question: What is the best way to drive cross-country from New York to California? How long would it take?
Richie
Farmingdale, Connecticut
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Friendly small-town stops can be the highlight of a road trip
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ϳԹ Adviser: There are two ways to drive cross country: fast and direct or meandering and lengthy. If you want to get to California fast, hop on Interstate 80 and three days later you’ll be in San Francisco — that’s assuming you’re up for driving 18-20 hours a day. However, if you really want to experience the
landscape and locals, contact ϳԹ Cycling (406-721-1776) and ask about their three transcontinental bike routes. These meticulously mapped routes along the northern, middle, and southern United States list everything — campsites, services, emergency numbers, even road gradients. The biggest bonus for the steering wheel-bound is that ϳԹ Cycling directs you
along quiet, two-lane, biker-friendly (read, empty) roads that toodle through spectacular scenery and some of the friendliest small towns left in America. During the summer, many towns will let you camp for free in the municipal parks (just check with the police station first). A complete set of maps will run you $80-111 depending on which route you take. Allow 10 days to two
weeks to soak up the experience.
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