Are you getting tired of quarantines, lockdowns, staying at home but still wary of large crowds and being cooped up with strangers? This year may be an ideal time for a good old-fashioned American road trip. Go and enjoy the great outdoors. You can still avoid large crowds and confined spaces with strangers. The Route 66 organizations expect a jump in the numbers of people traveling the Mother Road this year. And two new Route 66 road trip guides join the venerable EZ66 Guide for Travelers, published by the National Historic Route 66 Federation. Roadtrippers Route 66: Chicago to Santa Monica by Tatiana Parent, presents the Mother Road’s best stops: family-owned diners, small businesses, original neon signs, and strange haunts. It includes maps and can be paired with a supplemental app for your mobile device. Lonely Plant offers its own Lonely Planet Route 66 Road Trips (due out in June), which features amazing road maps and up-to-date advice on the destinations you’ll visit along the way. For Interstate travelers, the 2021 edition of The Next Exit road atlas is now available. Its uniqueness comes from listing the services and amenities available at each exit.
Lonely Planet also published two other unique guides: Ultimate United States Travel List featuring the top 500 unmissable experiences and hidden gems across the United States; and National Parks of America, a practical introduction to America’s national parks highlighting the best activities and trails along with identifying wildlife to watch for and ideal itineraries. Menasha Ridge Press issues best tent campaign guides for states such as Illinois and Missouri. These guides give you detailed information and maps for their recommended campsites. Camping Basics: How to Set up Camp,, Build a Fire, and Enjoy the Outdoors by Johnny Molloy provides the novice camper with the knowledge and skills to enjoy the experience. Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana & Ohio by Wilderness Press claims to be the definitive guide to the region’s top multiuse trails. It includes maps and directions.
