Atlas Obscura has a fine, fine collection of the literary road trips that every allegiance-pledging, rights-billing, literate American should know by heart.
Of course, “On The Road” is in there (Go Denver!), but how well do you know “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” route? “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” is required reading for any father — or son, but I never realized “Walk Across America” falls a little short of its intended goal.
Basically, what I’m saying is “Travels With Charley” just became my fall break road map.
The interactive map plots points across the country with points of interest and excerpts from the books.
Including the books mentioned earlier, 12 books are detailed on the map from Mark Twain’s “Roughing It” to Cheryl Stayed’s “Wild.” According to the author, books like “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “The Grapes of Wrath” were left off the map because those tomes are more about depravity and deprivation, respectively, than the road.
The writer, Richard Kreitner, and map maker, Steven Melendez, should win medals for their efforts in meticulously detailing the books that shape our view of America, its roads and its characters.
[Source: The Verge]
Quite a few of those cross New Mexico despite (or perhaps because of) our sparse population for our land size.
It’s on the way to Southern California from the east. I-10 and I-40, yo!
I prefer to fly from one point to the next. Speeding tickets, speed traps, angry cops, disillusioned border control..
I AIN’T GOT TIME FO DAT.
If travelling internationally, disillusioned border control can be a problem either way.
Let’s not forget Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. Always a good reminder of why not to buy a former rental car.
Wasn’t that just LA to Vegas and back?
Someone didn’t read prior to commenting.
Skip the water test. Actually you’ll probably have to since Lake Mead is so low.
“The Walk West” was the second part of “Across America” and in addition to getting the rest of the way, also serves as a stark reminder to always walk facing traffic.
I’m almost finished with Wild, and highly recommend it. The woman has amazing grit.
But… but…. where is the most famous of them all: “Get your kicks on Route 66”?
“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” is my favorite road trip story in spite of or perhaps due to the depravity.
Sometimes I really miss the 70’s/
Hi everybody, just joined to give Blue Highways another nine thumbs up, great book. The author took similar trips on foot and in a small boat.
I really liked Pilgrimage on a Steel Ride by Gary Paulsen (yeah, the children’s author) also, though most of it takes place in Canada. He travels from New Mexico to Alaska on a Harley while contemplating mortality and bikes.
JR
Glad to see another Blue Highways fan. Terrific book!
Or for the less literary minded,retrace the path of Buz and Tod from Route 66. 25 states and Canada.
Being that the routes feature locations mentioned in particular literary works, they’ve managed to completely avoid my adopted state of Arkansas, parts of which features beautiful, scenic vistas and twisting, challenging mountain roads.
Which is okay. It makes for less vehicles to dodge and pass on the straightaways… ;)
Then there’s this guy: https://www.barrystiefel.com/50_states_in_a_weeks_vacation/50_states_in_a_weeks_vacation.htm
Somehow this seems to me like a bigger accomplishment than getting coast to coast in under 30 hours.