The back road was the new highway when he was learning to drive. That was when they thought it was a good idea to run the highway on the modified railbed and through the downtown business district.
I don’t like freeways and such. I just found out that google maps will let you plan a trip an avoid those things. It increased the time of the trip by about a third, but should make a more interesting journey. Especially on my Harley.
Driving from Chicago to Chattanooga, TN with my dad was a rare treat. US 41 was the way he went. Being younger than other siblings, the Interstate system was new and I encouraged him to go I-65 to I-24, he was not happy with it. We had gone US 41 over Monteagle, TN at night, and I wasn’t happy with his driving, (we’d lost a hubcap on a curve!). Living in Florida now and driving North occasionally to visit, I will go over the mountain just for the memory.
I only head out onto the highway about once a month just to give the engine a chance to unload some of those ponies. The rest of the time, local roads. but then, a trip out for me is the grocery store once a week and the laundry mat once every other week. I put gas in my car at the beginning of April, and I only put gas in the other day because I was taking the wife to the airport.
I had to drive from Ft. Wayne to Indianapolis once a week for three years for graduate school. I-69 was fine for days with lousy weather but otherwise I took a variety of routes, sometimes 50 to 75 miles longer just to see different sites. Still like to take the lesser traveled routes just to see the scenery and avoid all of the idiots on the interstates.
jmworacle over 3 years ago
Especially if it means avoiding to pay a toll.
PoodleGroomer over 3 years ago
The back road was the new highway when he was learning to drive. That was when they thought it was a good idea to run the highway on the modified railbed and through the downtown business district.
wiatr over 3 years ago
I’ve been driving for 55 years and I know several ways to get anyplace I want to get too and they usually only have two lanes.
Qiset over 3 years ago
I don’t like freeways and such. I just found out that google maps will let you plan a trip an avoid those things. It increased the time of the trip by about a third, but should make a more interesting journey. Especially on my Harley.
Breadboard over 3 years ago
Back Roads are just another form of Sight Seeing ….
Display over 3 years ago
Pavement is for whimps.
pheets over 3 years ago
david_42 over 3 years ago
We use both. We’ll back road it to S.F.Bay in November and take the I-5 back. All a matter of time: two weeks down, weekend convention, one day back.
I'll fly away over 3 years ago
The PA back roads are full of interesting, quirky and beautiful things to see and do.
nyssawho13 over 3 years ago
Driving from Chicago to Chattanooga, TN with my dad was a rare treat. US 41 was the way he went. Being younger than other siblings, the Interstate system was new and I encouraged him to go I-65 to I-24, he was not happy with it. We had gone US 41 over Monteagle, TN at night, and I wasn’t happy with his driving, (we’d lost a hubcap on a curve!). Living in Florida now and driving North occasionally to visit, I will go over the mountain just for the memory.
Bruce1253 over 3 years ago
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference." – Robert Frost
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 3 years ago
Easier to evade the police after you stopped at the local tavern for a visit with your friends.
HunterIsACriminal over 3 years ago
I only head out onto the highway about once a month just to give the engine a chance to unload some of those ponies. The rest of the time, local roads. but then, a trip out for me is the grocery store once a week and the laundry mat once every other week. I put gas in my car at the beginning of April, and I only put gas in the other day because I was taking the wife to the airport.
tcayer over 3 years ago
Because a Plugger’s truck won’t get up to highway speeds!
raybarb44 over 3 years ago
The road less travelled can be a lot more fun……
kathleenhicks62 over 3 years ago
But the back roads need a bit of smoothing.
puntovert99 over 3 years ago
Back road fun – had a friend who would speed up, shift into neutral, then see how far he could coast – no worry of traffic.
KEA over 3 years ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Highways — I usually plan routes for “least hassle”
Khatkhattu Premium Member over 3 years ago
I had to drive from Ft. Wayne to Indianapolis once a week for three years for graduate school. I-69 was fine for days with lousy weather but otherwise I took a variety of routes, sometimes 50 to 75 miles longer just to see different sites. Still like to take the lesser traveled routes just to see the scenery and avoid all of the idiots on the interstates.
Jan C over 3 years ago
Why not? Back roads are so much more scenic and interesting than freeways.
mikeywilly over 3 years ago
Back roads are terrific, you get to see real people, not just living zombies on the interstates!
jbcuster over 3 years ago
I’m a Plugger then!
Gandalf over 3 years ago
And if I take a highway, it must be a Blue Highway! Thanks Least Heat Moon!
vick53 over 3 years ago
I love the back roads in that part of PA. I drive it every year (almost) for the family reunion. Sweet!
Sailor46 USN 65-95 over 3 years ago
As a teenager I took a lot of back roads…fewer cops.