Northern Tier E1/2 &TransAm W1/2

[timber]

Hi
My wife and I are going across the US next summer.  I think I would like to do the Northern tier from Maine to Iowa and then on to Missouri and then the Trans Am from Missouri to Oregon.

Does anyone have a route that they recommend that is something like this.  I am open to suggestions but the dogs in Kentucky are not what my wife wants.
Thanks in advance.
jim

[DavePM]

Try heading south on the Great Rivers Route to pick up the Katy Trail in Missouri.  Cross Missouri on trail to Clinton, Mo., then head west into Kansas to south to Trans Am Route.  The Katy is a great East/West trail.  No cars, no dogs, hard packed surface, almost entirely flat (built on old railroad bed).  I have crossed the state on it and greatly enjoyed it.  Good traveling to you.  I live just off the trail and could help with any other info you may need about it.

[litespeed]

DavePM's suggestion is excellent. I did most of the Katy Trail (Clinton to Dutzow) last summer and recommend it highly. It's a nice, peaceful and fairly scenic way to cross Missouri. Get a copy of the "Katy Trail Guidebook" by Brett Dufur before you go. When you get to Clinton you can pitch your tent at the big Rec Center right off the Trail. From there you can go straight east to Le Cigne KS where there is a fine park and campground at the lake. Cut down to Iola, go west on 54 and you will hit the Transamerica Trail a bit east of Eureka.
I bicycled through western Kentucky returning home to Florida and was never chased by dogs. In fact in my 20,000-25,000 miles around the country over the past few years I have never been seriously menaced by a dog and, of course, never bitten.