Originally Posted by
himebaum
I am nearing retirement and I would like to take some shorter trips into areas out of state that I am not familiar. Maybe do a couple of 50 miles on back to back days. How can I find roads that are safe a have a reasonable road surface? I live in southern WI now but would like to ride in as many states as I can. Thanks.
Google Maps + Street View can help a lot in some places. I mostly use those for spot checking routes out of major urban areas- did that for part of my recent Osaka -> Lake Biwa loop trip.
You should try asking around in the touring section too. A lot of people there ride unfamiliar roads for long distances regularly enough.