LA-MIAMI, summer 2016 (1st US rt ever)

Jamie's books are okay, I guess. However, I would not follow his actual route advice word-for-word, mile-for-mile. That's because this is YOUR road trip, not somebody else's.

Rural, off-the-beaten-path places that aren't in books, can usually be found by *asking locally*. Get in a grocery line, and start chatting with locals. "What are some things to do around here that are fun?" Hubby and I have found a few like that, mostly when we are visiting family and we want something to do besides sit around and talk.


Donna

I've had that book for more than a decade, and whereas it is good to get some different ideas, I have not followed any of the routes mile by mile. There always seemed to be something which attracted my interest and took me on a different route.

If you want to see more of rural US, I suggest you follow some of the old US highways. The small numbers in a little shield on maps.

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Originally Posted by FinnTraveler

Since we're not in a hurry, we'd absolutely love to see those rural, off the beaten path places that may not even be found in any books.

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Those are the places you find when you engage with the locals, especially in smaller towns. Ask folk about their favourite spots or places where they would go if they were on a trip, and did not live there. There is no knowing the gems you may stumble upon.

Have you read this page. It may also give you some ideas.

Lifey

While I would also normally urge you to visit Death Valley on a RoadTrip that includes Las Vegas, the time of year you'll be traveling may present a problem. As Subman points out it can often be "the hottest place on the planet" and for that reason RV rental firms place restrictions on when/whether you can take their vehicles into the valley. I believe the restrictions normally apply to August, but you should check with your particular firm about your particular vehicle during your particular travel period. And just so you know, virtually all rentals in the US are equipped with tracking devices so they will know where you went.

One of (but not the only) reason that we recommend paper maps is the wealth of information they can present in synoptic view. Something that is simply outside the realm of electronic devices and their limited screen size and resolution. For planning purposes one incredibly worthwhile bit of information is that they often mark scenic roads, usually with a green dotted or dashed line parallel to the highway. Seeing all those possibilities laid out over a large swath of country can quickly lead you to roads that not only fulfill your desire "to see those rural, off the beaten path places" but also keep you going in more or less the right direction. The Federal Highway Administration has designated some of the best of these as America's Byways.

Some roads along your route that I've particularly enjoyed that you may want to consider for inclusion are: AZ-66 between Kingman and Seligman, the old US-66 (Route 66 of story and song) roadbed through the desert and the visual inspiration for the Pixar movie "Cars"; Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive from Flagstaff down to Sedona; the Turquoise and Salt River Trails which would make a nice loop from Albuquerque up to Santa Fe and back; and the Creole Nature Trail, a collection of roads through the Louisiana bayous.

AZBuck

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

I believe the restrictions normally apply to August, but you should check with your particular firm about your particular vehicle during your particular travel period.

Some roads along your route that I've particularly enjoyed that you may want to consider for inclusion are: AZ-66 between Kingman and Seligman, the old US-66 (Route 66 of story and song) roadbed through the desert and the visual inspiration for the Pixar movie "Cars"; Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive from Flagstaff down to Sedona; the Turquoise and Salt River Trails which would make a nice loop from Albuquerque up to Santa Fe and back; and the Creole Nature Trail, a collection of roads through the Louisiana bayous.

AZBuck

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You are correct. We re-read the terms and conditions of the rental, and there are some restrictions: "anywhere in Mexico, Baja California and Alaska. Death Valley between the dates 1st May and 30th September. Any unimproved road, trail, track (excluding county and state maintained road) Any off-road areas (dunes, Salt plains, beaches, riverbeds, logging roads, forest trails, dirt trails etc.) The Burning Man festival unless prior permission has been given and the grooming fee has been paid."

So that pretty much cuts Death Valley out of the equation. Considering Bagdad & Amboy now also, thru Kelso to Baker. In what condition are the roads there? There's something fascinating about old "americana", abandoned diners, motels, things and places that time has left behind.

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Considering Bagdad & Amboy now also, thru Kelso to Baker. In what condition are the roads there?

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Those are all paved roads.

The roads connecting the 'towns' you've listed are all two-lane, paved roads routinely maintained by various local, state and federal entities. National Trails Highway from Ludlow through Bagdad to Amboy is another section of old US-66 (long since decommissioned as a US highway but still a maintained road), and Kelbaker road up through Kelso to Baker (thus the name) is maintained by the US National Park Service as it traverses the Mojave National Preserve. A good place to get further info as you head north is the Kelso Depot Visitor Center. I've driven the section in the Preserve and, especially at dawn or dusk, it can take on an other worldly aspect and makes a good substitute, scenically, for Death Valley.

AZBuck

Awesome! This is exactly the info we need, You guys rock. It's more than cool to get first hand advice from people who have actually been there and done that! Our travel fever is getting higher day by day...