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It’s time to discuss the benefits of taking backroads when traveling. Interstate highways are efficient, sure. They carve through the country with surgical precision—but they leave no time for savoring what they pass. After a while, every stretch starts to blur into one long, gray ribbon of sameness: concrete lanes, green signs, gas-food-lodging icons, and that one guy who’s been hovering in your blind spot since the last state line. Time to take advantage of the benefits of taking backroads when traveling.
Let’s be honest: highways get you there. But they don’t show you anything along the way.
That’s why it’s time to talk about something revolutionary—something radical, maybe even a little reckless (to your schedule, at least). I’m talking about getting off the highway and taking the country roads. The less-traveled, long-winding, “was that a goat on the roof?” kind of way.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to do it, what to expect, what to pack, who to tell (hint: someone with cell service), and why it just might change the way you travel forever.
Why Bother with the Backroads?
Because highways lie.
Not maliciously, of course—but they offer a version of America that feels mass-produced: endless logos, sterile rest stops, and efficient exits. They hide the strange and wonderful parts of the journey—the quirky gas stations, the two-stoplight towns, and the diners where the waitress calls you “hon” before you’ve even opened your menu.
Country roads slow you down in the best way. They roll through farmland and hollers, past houses that look like movie sets and barns held together with good luck and rust. You don’t just see the landscape—you meet it.
Also? No toll booths. That alone is a win.
How to Enjoy the Benefits of Taking Backroads When Traveling (Without Getting Lost Forever)
Taking the scenic route sounds romantic… until you end up on a gravel road that vanishes into someone’s cow pasture while your phone displays “No Service.” Backroad travel is more mindset than map, and it works best with a little planning.
1. Use a Map App—Just Not the Way You Usually Do
Google Maps and Apple Maps are fine, but avoid defaulting to “Fastest Route.” That’s how you end up watching the back of a semi for three hours.
Instead, tap the settings icon and choose “Avoid Highways.” Boom—instant adventure.
You can also explore apps like Roadtrippers, which specialize in scenic drives, oddball attractions, and roadside gems like the “World’s Largest Ball of Paint” or a soda fountain untouched since the Great Depression.
2. Break Out a Paper Map (Yes, Seriously)
There’s something grounding about unfolding a physical map. No batteries, no updates, and no annoying “Recalculating…” voice.
Even better: grab a backroads atlas or a state-level scenic drive guide. Some editions highlight historical landmarks, county fairs, and offbeat festivals.
Check your local library—they’re like Google, but they smell better.
What to Expect Along the Way (Besides a Goat on a Roof)
First: expect to slow down. Some country roads are marked 55 mph. Others are more like “please don’t hit the tractor.” These roads twist, dip, and ramble past old general stores, ivy-draped barns, forgotten factories, and front porches that haven’t seen a paintbrush since Carter was in office.
You’ll spot wildlife. You’ll pass one-room churches, small-town baseball diamonds, and hand-lettered signs for things like “Antique Tractor Pull – This Saturday Only.” Follow them. Even if it’s Tuesday.
Expect a wide variety of road conditions. Some roads are freshly paved. Others will make your shocks question their life choices. If you hear banjos? Relax. That’s just someone’s grandpa playing porch bluegrass.
Don’t count on rest stops—but do keep an eye out for diners where the pie is homemade and the waitress calls you “honey” before you sit down. And yes, gas stations might sell worms, deer corn, and milkshakes—sometimes all from the same cooler.
You’ll also need to prepare for moments when the route gets a little too rustic. Case in point: while wandering Florida’s backroads, Linda and I once found ourselves bouncing down Claysink Richloam Road in Hernando County. Potholes big enough to hold a fishing pond. I thought it was charming. Linda… less so. A little pre-trip research can save a lot of post-trip apologies.
What to Bring Along (Besides a Sense of Humor)
Backroads can be less forgiving when it comes to amenities. A little preparation goes a long way.
✔ Snacks and Drinks
Small-town gas stations might only stock jerky, grape soda, and something ominously labeled “meat sticks.” Bring a cooler with your favorites.
✔ Emergency Supplies
Be ready for hiccups. Pack:
- Flashlight
- First-aid kit
- Jumper cables
- A working phone charger
- A basic toolkit (bailing wire included)
- Bonus: duct tape. It’s basically roadside magic.
✔ Music to Match the Mood
Create a playlist that fits the ride—Americana, folk, acoustic guitar. Think Brandi Carlile, John Denver, or some mellow blues. Or tune into local radio as you go—you’ll find everything from bluegrass to high school sports commentary. It’s all part of the charm.
✔ Camera or Notebook
You’re going to see things: an old windmill, a rusted truck turned planter, a roadside shop that only sells buttons. Capture them. These are the stories Instagram can’t invent.
Better yet, jot them down. This is The Virtual Pen, after all.
Who to Tell (So You Don’t End Up a Missing Person Poster)
Before heading out, tell someone your general route and when you expect to check in. Then do it. If your phone signal vanishes, at least someone knows where to send help.
Apps like Life360 or Find My are helpful if you’re open to sharing your location. It’s not overly suspicious—it’s practical. Country roads are peaceful, but AAA might take a while to reach you in Cowlick County.
And remember: your dog doesn’t count. Tell a human.
Things You Might Encounter (That the Highway Will Never Offer)
- A farm stand with a rusted honor box and tomatoes that still smell like summer
- A roadside museum run by a guy named Bob who collects model trains and conspiracy theories
- A trailhead you never knew existed that leads to a bluff you’ll never forget
- A tree in a soybean field, hung with coffee mugs like ornaments—yep, that’s real (Linda and I saw it in East Central Illinois)
- A gas station that doubles as a bait shop and a sandwich counter—try the pimento cheese
- Someone waving at you just because that’s what people do out there
A Word About Bathrooms
Brace yourself: this isn’t the world of sparkling rest stops and motion-activated air fresheners.
You may find:
- Gas station bathrooms with avocado-colored tile and charm to match
- Porta-potties at farm auctions
- The great outdoors (if necessary, follow Leave No Trace)
Pack your own TP. Just saying.
What You'll Gain By Taking Backroads When Traveling (Besides Bug Bites and Better Stories)
Country roads remind you the journey matters. They pull you out of the rush, the algorithms, the cookie-cutter chain experience. You’ll start noticing things: kids selling eggs, hand-painted signs, old men fishing off half-collapsed bridges.
You’ll stop more often. Talk to strangers. Hear stories you weren’t expecting to hear—and remember them long after the drive ends.
You might even get lost. That’s perfect. It means discovery. Maybe you’ll end up on a gravel lane that ends in a soybean field—but that’s where the real adventure starts. And when your schedule finally loosens its grip, the road gets a whole lot wider.
Eventually, you’ll return to the highway (because sometimes you have to), but you’ll see it for what it is: fast, yes—but flat. Efficient, but never enchanting.
And you just might come home with more than a full camera roll. You might come back a little different. A little more open. A little more grateful.
Final Thoughts
Taking the backroads isn’t about avoiding traffic. It’s about inviting discovery. They’re not efficient, and that’s the point. Country roads feed the soul. They’re unpredictable. They surprise you.
So next time you open your GPS, click “Avoid Highways.” Turn right at the faded barn. Follow the road that looks like it might lead to nowhere.
Because that nowhere? It might be exactly where you needed to go.
And if you see a sign that says “Fresh Pie Ahead”? Follow it. Always follow the pie.
And if you happen to spot the Mug Tree—do me a favor. Send me a picture. I’m still wondering if it’s standing.
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