Timhines,
I just relooked at my NC maps that their DOT sent me and I must agree to a point. They aren't the best maps when I looked at them compared to my Street Atlas program. I know the Carolina Connector route is marked with road signs though in some areas. I don't know why they don't have them online in a pdf format though and save everyone headaches in getting them to mail you the maps and save them money in mailing them to you.
If I go to Baltimore in August from SC via my bike to my family reunion, I'll probably do my own routes and not follow the NCDOT maps.
Cheers
http://biketour.ne1.net