Commuting - How to go on long trips?

I'd like to go on some long bike trips. Currently I only bike within a 10 mile radius. I figure if I knew the route, and had sufficient time (which, it so happens, I do) I could bike to anywhere in the country. Of course my bike would probably fall apart from under me, but ignoring that likelihood, how could I get from state to state without going on the highways and interstates? I've heard that it is illegal for bikes to go on highways, at least in some states. Are there alternative roads that go through every state, which I simply have to find on a map of the U.S. (say, MS Streets CD)? I don't want to go on any bumpy bike trails, I just want to know if there are real roads that will take me anywhere I need to go, which bikers are allowed on.

P.S. What is the best way to know where you're going? GPS, buying maps along the way, preplanning a route with the likes of MS Streets, asking lots of directions, etc.?

Having done some 1,000km trips in the past (another coming up in exactly 23 days), the best thing I can say is get a decent map. Something else you can rely on is good local advice. Buying maps along the way can be very effective, too. Oh yeah, a good quality bike will not fall apart from under you.

Sounds like more of a touring-type question. You should consider posting your question in that section. You might get better responses.

Joel,
Go browse the Touring forum. There is wealth of information. Note that at the bottom of each page on the right side there are page numbers to take you back to older posts. There have been many threads on equipment, maps, routing, etc. You may even find someone from your area to ride with.
Regards,
Raymond

oops, didn't even realize what section I was in!

Joel,

The good maps that you need for that purpose are hard to find. You want the ones that shall ALL the paved roads, typically you can order these thru a bookstore from companies like Delorme. You'll be mostly riding on secondary and tertiary roads, although highways are sometimes required (and legal) to get thru some areas and over bridges.

Ken Kifer has a good articles on using maps and selecting routes on his website at http://KenKifer.com

He also has many informative articles on touring there.

Good luck,
Davy

Delorme's Street Atlas USA is fantastic for bike routing. It takes a while to learn, but it has every road in the US no matter the size.