Good maps for back road touring
 

I think this has come up here before, but I can't find it now.

Who makes good road maps that show the lesser routes? The roads that wander the back country and scenic areas? Roads that are good for sports cars and motorcycles.

I'm thinking about paper maps, but digital ones available online could work.

Thanks for any tips.

Cheers Richard

You may find Porsche's app somewhat useful. It's called "Roads by Porsche" and utilizes your GPS to find the lesser routes near you.

For interesting routes, I use a lot of websites but have found Expedition Portal to be the best in terms of off the beaten path advice.

https://expeditionportal.com/

Go to the forums section and track in progress trips and other trip reports...lots of North America trip reports that include all sorts of roads and driving conditions for cars and motorcycles.

I followed one guy for a year and then traced those parts of his trip that I thought I'd enjoy the most. He found some places I had driven right past many times. Often the reports are very picture heavy and give you a sense of the trip well in advance.

Try Butler Maps. These are great motorcycling maps and may be great for what you are looking for.

https://www.butlermaps.com/?v=7516fd43adaa

+1

I used to buy books containing complete topographic maps of any states that I was interested in. They showed the roads in much greater detail and and also gave you a sense of the topography, which was important. They aren’t something you can take with you on a bike, although you could take them in the car if you wanted. I studied them ahead of time and plan my routes.

The (insert state name here) Atlas from the Delorme Atlas & Gazetteer group.

That's one of the brands of books I was talking about.

+1. I used this back way back when I rode 2 wheeled vehicles. That was before the the Interwebs got big and everyone had a smart phone, so there may be online sources now. But the Delorme Atlas is still a terrific resource, if a bit big.

I have dozens of these. Driving and backpackinghttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1568989359.jpg

^^^^ And that's the other brand I used...

How far are ya from the mtn twisties? Just go exploring off of everyone's beaten path imo.

Great info guys, thanks.
Lots of different possibilities now in view.

My Nephew who lives near NOLA, is just about to retire, he is into Porsches, loves road trips, so this is to fuel his upcoming freedom to roam.

I just orders some of the Butler maps as a start for him.

I'll be looking into some of the online sources y'all have mentioned.

Cheers Richard

My first GPS had a mode for scenic way or quickest way. My current GPS just has fastest or shortest way.

Every GPS maker needs to start to introduce new features. Number one, rest stop mode. Tell me where the closest state highway rest stop is, and if that is too far, a good bathroom break. Even more important, a "keep me out of the ghetto" mode.

And a scenic trip mode. Just don't allow people in RVs to have that mode! ;)

For Canada, I use the Back Road Atlas by Mapart. ( no affiliation).

Best
Les

I use caltopo to plan my interesting trips and routes. I often print the maps with 100m UTM grids for specific targets

https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=37.25437,-115.85361&z=12&b=sat&o=r&n=0.3&a=c%2Cmba

These are great books/maps for the west coast:
Destination Highways - Roads you journey to, to travel on...

The new Harley GPS gives you choices on what types of roads. I have never used it on my bike so I do not know how useful it is, but thought is was cool that was a feature.

I use the Atlas shown above.

THANK YOU Bob!