Touring - TransAm/Lewis and Clark : how to connect?

I've been thinking about doing some touring next year. At latest, I have decided to head out on the TransAmerican trail, then join up with the Lewis and Clark trail. Upon reaching the Pacific, I would return on the TransAmerican trail. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to find my way between where the trails 'meet'. I am also thinking about just starting in Maryland (where I live) and biking to the TransAmerican in Virginia (maybe joining up in Charlottesville?) rather than leaving from Yorktown. Does anyone know any good routes for that? Any information would be incredibly helpful!

The Lewis and Clarke Trail starts in Hartford, Illinois. I believe the Trans-Am trail passes through Chester, Illinois. This link will get you through the two areas. http://bikelib.org/mrt/index.htm
It is the link for the Mississippi River Trail though Illinois. On this website, there is a link for a .pdf user guide of the trail with maps and cue sheets.

I was thinking about doing something very similar. I get out of school for the summer in early May and need to be back in late August. I was trying to come up with a route that would allow me to ride to the west coast and then come back a different route. I would be starting from central, Illinois. I don't think I would have enough time though.

If you click on the link for the "User Guide Segments" rather than the link for the "User Guide Booklet", Hartford, Illinois is on page 10 of the .pdf file (page 17 of the printed booklet) and Chester, Illinois is on page 11 (page 19 of the printed booklet).

Cool. Thanks for the info. That really does clear up how to connect the two trails. Does anyone know of a similar service for finding how to get from the Baltimore area to Charlottesville? This is now the only portion of the trip that I do not know how to connect.

Cool. Thanks for the info. That really does clear up how to connect the two trails. Does anyone know of a similar service for finding how to get from the Baltimore area to Charlottesville? This is now the only portion of the trip that I do not know how to connect.

Tho this is mostly a rugged ride, it does offer some of the connection answers for which you are looking:
http://www.discoverytrail.org/
The L&C Trail is an integral part of this trail (aka, The American Discovery Trail) and runs from Delaware to San Fran.

Cool. Thanks for the info. That really does clear up how to connect the two trails. Does anyone know of a similar service for finding how to get from the Baltimore area to Charlottesville? This is now the only portion of the trip that I do not know how to connect.