Route Murphysboro, IL to Tuscaloosa, AL

[bgbghq]

Hi,

I am looking for advice on a bike route from Murphysboro, Illinois to Tuscaloosa, AL. I am unfamiliar with the area and don't want to end up on a dirt road or some busy highway with no shoulder.

The background on this is I would like to bike from Fort Collins, Colorado to Tuscaloosa, Alabama ostensibly to watch the football game between CSU and UA this September, but the goal of the trip is to raise money for scholarships at both schools.

Any advice is welcome. Thanks for your help!

andy