Welcome to Take Back Roads, where you will discover the best:
- authentic experiences
- beautiful travel destinations
- scenic back roads to explore
- road trip plans
- travel advice
while traveling on the back roads of America!
The intent of Take Back Roads is to create a forum where people can read, write, share, and learn about each others’ adventures while driving the back roads of our great country.

What is a Back Road?
This is such a great question! I could lie to you and say I get asked this question all the time. The reality is, virtually everyone comes in with their own preconceived notions about what back roads are (or are not!). Chances are, if you’ve found this website, you already have a pretty good idea in your mind what a back road is.
Which leaves me to define what I consider a back road. To put it plainly, a back road is not the interstate! When putting together road trip plans, or when chatting with people about travel, I try really hard not to limit myself to unnecessarily complicated definitions. For the sake of simplicity, if it’s not the interstate, it can qualify as a back road!
Beyond that, though, the most important characteristic of back roads travel is the ability to easily experience the unique characteristics that make up and define a region. Whether it’s
- roadside attractions
- local shopping and food
- panoramic vistas
- National or State Parks
- cultural or historical locations
or any of the other interesting things people seek out when traveling, taking back roads is the easiest and most enjoyable way to have the best trip possible!
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Traveling:
We are all aware that the novel Coronavirus has impacted daily life for nearly everyone on Earth. Recreational travel and tourism in particular have suffered significantly as a result. As countries begin to exit quarantine and loosen restrictions on travel, people are looking for new ways to take trips safely – in particular, road trips are now seen as a safer alternative to flying.
More specifically, and more than ever before, greater numbers of Americans are seeking out the serenity and isolation of back roads, small towns, and rural America. Take Back Roads is here to help you on this quest! With extensive experience traveling the back roads of America and Europe (and even a little bit in Costa Rica!) since 2013, we have a significant database of resources to dive into to find road trip ideas, travel resources, and detailed how-to posts to help you navigate the wonderful world of back road driving! Heck, we even put together an extensive road trip playlist!
Planning Road Trips during the Coronavirus Pandemic
If you would rather have us do the work for you, we are happy to plan your next road trip! We will work together with you, plotting out maps and finding highly rated accommodations and activities along the way that you can safely experience as you travel the country! Click the link to find out more details.
Stay Safe and Travel Well!
Please take a little bit of time learning about the history & motivation of our website, and how you can become a contributor. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Curious about what are the best backroads in the USA? Start here. In addition, if you see a picture on any of these pages that strikes a chord with you, please know that you can find a format to have it to hang on your wall.
Looking for travel content? Click HERE
Want us to help plan your next road trip? Click HERE
Looking for help with travel photography? Click HERE
We want to help local businesses, attractions, historical sites, and communities to thrive. If you would like us to come visit your business, please contact me.
Please let us know about your favorite things to see and do … where should we go next?
What should you pack for a road trip?
Excellent COVID-19 Protection Options to take with you:
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that I receive a commission – at no cost to you – if you purchase one of the products I’ve linked to on this page.