State Maps?
 

Ive read posts about "talking to states" to get maps of the state. who would i contact to obtain those maps? for free, yeah?
thanks

If a state gives these out, the info will be on the state's DOT site.

New York: https://www.nysdot.gov/divisions/ope...-bureau/biking

Pennsylvania: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BIKE/WEB/tour_routes.htm (not sure if you can get printed versions for free)

Virginia: http://virginiadot.org/bikemap/

Ohio: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions...s/Default.aspx

New Hampshire: http://www.nh.gov/dot/nhbikeped/maps.htm

Sometimes I'll get maps as I go along on tour. A number of states do have "Welcome Centers" where maps are given out. Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas are a few that come to mind, and that is just in my closer neighborhood. In addition to the state DOT maps, I'll also buy standard maps at convenience stores when I enter a state.

Google is your freind when trying to get maps. Many states even have senic byway or bicycle specific maps.

I use Google to get an idea of where I want to go and to scout ahead. You can also use AAA to build a route map. IIRC that is a free goody now. I have found as a general rule the state issued maps miss a lot of the back roads that I would prefer to cycle on. They are great for an overview, but hard to beat building up your own from Google. Though the bike route maps from various states can be good. The ones from NC are a bit out dated, especially where they come into the towns, the areas have grown and the maps have not been rerouted to different roads.

Aaron:)

i just called parks department of each state on my tour, they were more than happy to mail me at least a brochure, and most also a map of their state. its pretty straightforward!

The Delaware DOT has free county bike maps - easy enough to print when your state has but three counties. The county maps are great, and printed on a vinyl-like paper so they are tear-resistant.

Maryland has a free state map the DOT can send you.

NJ allegedly has free bike route maps, but I've requested them twice without success.

A visit to the NJ DOT bike site shows they've put all the bike route maps up as PDFs, which probably means they don't provide printed copies. PA is another state that doesn't provided printed maps of the bike routes.

Also add Washington State Cambers of Commerce for a good source for free maps in the Northwest. Our local Chamber has free Washington State produced bicycle maps. Traffic flow and major and minor roads are listed.

I have found county maps to be better than state maps. Google each county, one by one, and call their tourism office. You'll be amazed at what they send you (for free!).

I've had no problem getting NJ bike maps; try emailing the bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.

You can get a copy of the NJ East Coast Greenway map on this page. (Scroll down to the "Publications" section.)

We have always found the Department of Toourism to be the best source.

Just tell them you are planning to vacation in their state, and they usually send you a whole packet of stuff. Just confirm that it will include a state map. Google gets the 800 numbers.

And, as noted before, almost all Welcome Centers pass them out, as well.

Great tip, Wanderer! I found this site for NJ. The maps here look very good, even though they're not bicycle-specific. I requested the state map; too bad they don't have printed versions of the county maps as well.

Part of my old job was colllecting maps from states.

If they don't already have a PDF of it on their DOT website, email someone to request one. They usually take a week or so to come. And they're always free, maybe you might have to pay for postage.

The East Coast Greenway folks are charging 4.50 for a map.

You can also just visit all the states' tourism sites. If you call the number listed or send an email to the address, they'll send you a road map.

While they aren't free, the East Coast Greenway maps are worth the money they charge to ship them. For 6.50 shipping I received two maps, one of the Greenway route in NJ and into NYC, and one of the route through PA and DE. Both are in color, laminated, sized to fit in a handlebar bag, and are spiral-bound cue sheets with directions for both north and south-bound riders. Thanks, neilfein, for alerting us to these maps.

You can also contact a state representative or a state senator and request the maps.

Here's CT:

http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=1390&q=292876&PM=1

The best map for Ri comes from their DOT. If they dont have anymore they have it online, the same fdr Conn. For MA Rubels covers the entire state and are excellent

ED

Third time must be the charm. That or the email I sent following neilfein's suggestion above. But I received the bike route maps I'd requested previously. The High Point to Cape May map is like the East Coast Greenway guides, a spiral-bound handlebar bag-sized set of dual-direction cue sheets. The others are small maps, with cue sheets for the longer rides. The 283 mile HP to CM route is a natural for a tour, and others, such as the Pine Barren Ramble day ride, could be incorporated into a longer tour.

Oregon DOT has nice biking maps of the Pacific Coast and the Columbia River Gorge area. You can download from their website or request print copies by snail mail.
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEP...T_Bicycle_Maps

Oregon Parks and Rec has online maps of the Willamette Scenic Bikeway:
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/BIKE/

In addition, several Oregon towns and counties have their own area bike route maps. Some charge a small fee, others are free. These are usually available at local LBS or thru the local chamber of commerce or visitors bureau.

this is the place I got my iowa 2008 transportation map for bicyclists:

http://www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes/order_form_bikemap.htm

the map is free. it's pretty decent. it gives traffic levels, bike trails, scenic by-ways and various other nifty things.

Check out www.xcountrybike.com/coords.html
This page has the state bicycle coordinators and if maps are available