Chicagor/NYC to Route 66 (Indianapolis to St. Louis)

[JonathanW]

Hi there,

As said in the subject, I want to bridge the gap between the Chicago/NYC and Route 66 maps by going from Indianapolis to St. Louis. By just looking at the map, it seems so easy by just taking Highway 40 al the way. From judging the Google Streetview pictures it looks fairly rideable. When I ask Google for a direction for bicycles though, it sometimes guides me North or South of Highway 40. It even looks like a few Miles extra (which wouldn't bother me at all, if its worth it).

Do you have any recommendations/hints here? Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Jonathan

[John Nettles]

When are you planning to go?  I have recently created a route but may not have it finished (cue sheets, GPS, etc.) for a couple of weeks.  Actually, it is only on US-40 for I am guessing less than 10% as I prefer low-traffic county roads when possible.
Also, if you like covered bridges, I am working on a nice loop around Rockville that connects with the STL>Indianapolis route.
Best, John

[aggie]

I rode from St. Louis to Indianapolis this spring.  I did take hwy 40 from Indianapolis to Vandalia where I took the Eastern Express through Edwardsville into St. Louis and Hwy 66.  Hwy 40 for the most part was a pretty good road except around Indianapolis.  The road has high traffic, is poorly maintained, and beat to pieces (around Indianapolis).  I had to constantly dodge pot holes and other debris.  Check to see if you can find another way to get from Indianapolis to as least Plainfield before you get on Hwy 40. 

I found the roads and trails in Indiana to be horrible.  I wouldn't want to drive my car on the roads in Indiana and would have been better off riding on the sidewalks rather than the bike trails/lanes. 

[JHamelman]

A couple more resources for finding suitable roads are:

Illinois DOT:
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/travel-information/recreation/trails-paths-streets/index

Indiana:
https://backroadsofindiana.blogspot.com/

I hope this helps,

Jennifer