Jefferson Highway Map (Winnipeg, MB, CA to New Orleans, LA)
The original Jefferson Highway Association came into existence in 1915, and the first route was laid out the following year. The Jefferson Highway, like all of the other named routes of that time period, was replaced by the U.S. Highway System which came into being in November of 1926. The focus of this map is primarily on the Jefferson Highway during the 1916-1926 period. Visit the Jefferson Highway Association’s web site and their Facebook Page for lots of historical information.
Dixie Highway Map (Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Miami, FL)
The original Dixie Highway Association existed from 1915 – 1927 (though it technically never disbanded). For all intents and purposes, the Dixie Highway and other named routes were replaced by the U.S. Highway System which came into being in November of 1926. The focus of this map is primarily on the Dixie Highway during that time period. Visit the Dixie Highway History Facebook page for lots of good historical information.
Dixie Short Route Map (Indianapolis, IN to Cincinnati, OH
This route was created in 1915 as a shorter route between Indianapolis and Cincinnati than the one carrying the Dixie Highway. The Dixie Highway went west from Indianapolis to Dayton, Ohio, then south to Cincinnati. The Dixie Short Route took a more direct southwesterly route from Indianapolis to Cincinnati.
National Old Trails Road Map (New York City, NY to Los Angeles, CA)
The original National Old Trails Road Association formed in 1912. Much of its eastern route is shared with the historic National Road and US-40. The far western section is closely aligned with Route 66. My map routing primarily follows the National Old Trails Road guide (ca. 1926) created by the Automobile Club of Southern California. Much more detailed historical information can be found at the National Old Trails Road Page on Facebook.
Historic US-80/Dixie Overland Highway Map (Tybee Island, GA to San Diego, CA)
The Dixie Overland Highway was one of very few U.S. Auto Trails that had almost its entire route marked by a single U.S. Highway. In this case, US-80. The map is targeted to showing the original route of US-80, not its modern day routing which only goes as far west as Dallas, TX. The map shows everywhere I know of that the Dixie Overland Highway deviates from the original US-80 routing; otherwise the two are presumed to be the same. For the most part it follows the earliest drivable route; sometimes 1926 and sometimes later. On a few occasions I show more than one route, particularly if I think you can see something interesting that you might otherwise miss. I also occasionally show brief sections of the Bankhead Highway and to a lesser extent the Old Spanish Trail. In the west, my map relies extensively on Jeff Jensen’s Bygone Byways web site as well as his books. Steven Varner’s American Roads website has been helpful with the Dixie Overland Highway, not to mention providing immeasurable help to me in developing an overall understanding of the US auto trails in general.
Historic US-11 Map (Rouses Point, NY to New Orleans, LA)
US-11 has been in existence since 1926. It generally follows the Appalachian Mountains from the Canadian border at Rouses Point, New York through 10 states to its southern terminus; first near Nicholson, Mississippi, then at New Orleans, Louisiana, and now at US-90 in the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Louisiana. Along the way, the highway splits into US-11E and US-11W following an interesting historical dispute between the federal government and the state of Tennessee that lasted for decades. According to usends.com the highway in 2020 measured 1,656 miles as calculated along US 11-W in Tennessee, or 1,666 miles if US-11E is followed. The map follows the earliest 1926 route where possible, though much of it follows a mid 1930s or 1940s path. Often, today’s US-11 route is the same as the earlier time periods. As of this moment I have not added the older routings of US-11through Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, but I will get around to them eventually.
Historic US-20 Map (Boston, MA to Newport, OR)
US-20 is currently considered to be the longest road in the US at 3,365 miles. This was not true in 1926 when the US Highway System chose to end US-20 at the eastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Beginning in 1940 the road was extended from Boston to Albany, Oregon and it has been further extended to Newport, Oregon. My map follows the original 1926 route as much as possible, then follows the 1940 route to Albany, Oregon. It continues on to Newport, Oregon on a later route. Check out the Historic US-20 site to get more detailed routing information.
2 Lane Traveler’s Food & Lodging Map (Classic Restaurants, Diners, Motels and Historic Hotels
The last one isn’t exactly a map. It’s a list of unique restaurants, motels, historic hotels, and especially historic diners across the country. These are some of my favorite places to eat, sleep and visit. With the exception of some of the historic diners, there are very few places shown that I haven’t personally visited. Maybe a handful of motels and a couple of restaurants, but that’s about it.
You will probably figure out very quickly whether my tastes align with yours or not. I love old pre-1960s-era diners and hamburger joints. There are a few historic, classic restaurants included that serve excellent food at premium prices, but mostly these are reasonably priced burger and comfort food places. The restaurants serve good food, have good service, and most importantly for me, have plenty of atmosphere. I have no issue with Applebee’s or other chain restaurants, but you won’t find them here. You don’t need my map to find dozens of examples of this type of restaurant in any city or small town across America.
I also really like fifties-era motels. If you find a Holiday Inn or Fairfield Inn & Suites barely tolerable you may want to skip my recommendations here. I am a Marriott Lifetime Titanium Rewards member, but I will always choose a clean and comfortable motel with a great neon sign if given the opportunity. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a classic motel and a “sketchy” one, which is a big reason for the creation of this map. I have stayed in almost all of these and find them acceptable. The few I haven’t stayed in have been recommended to me by trusted roadie friends who have recommended them.
My list of diners is as complete as I can make it. The focus is on diners manufactured from the 1920s to the early 1960s. My definition of a diner is pretty specific too. A diner is a wooden or steel structure that was built in a factory, then moved to a permanent site. In other words, if the building is built where it is sitting right now it might be a restaurant, drive-in or cafe, but it isn’t a diner no matter what the sign says. Most of these diners on my map are open for business, but some are shut down, either temporarily or permanently. I tried to specifically identify all of those. They are great for photo opportunities but not for eating. Most of the diners on my list are in the northeastern United States because that’s where most of them have always been. There are quite a few great ones elsewhere though, so keep your eyes open.