We believe we've developed the best cross-country and coastal cycling routes available, with turn-by-turn directions, detailed
navigational instructions for the tricky sections, and elevation profiles in the high country. The maps are also waterproof and
sized to fit into a handlebar-bag window or jersey pocket.
Adventure Cycling maps include:
Service symbols indicating the locations of campgrounds, hostels, motels, gas stations, groceries, restaurants, post offices, and bike shops
Narratives with turn-by-turn instructions for traveling in either direction
Distances given in miles and kilometers
Contour lines providing a general idea of elevation gains and losses
Elevation profiles in mountainous regions with major ascents and descents indicated
Details about the natural history and cultural heritage along the route
A weather chart providing average monthly rainfall and mean temperatures at various points along the route
Large-scale detail maps of urban or congested areas
Summaries of riding conditions to provide information on road surfaces, traffic volumes, and areas of caution
Our Online Addenda, where updates are always available and current
These routes are available to you in 300-mile to 400-mile map sections, so you can plan anything from a weekend trip
to a summer-long adventure. Our entire map selection is detailed at the menu bar to the right.
Our routes usually aren't the most direct way to go, and they're not meant to be. We want you to see a rural America
that can't be seen from the freeways. Our generous members and supporters are helping to create and maintain our legacy and
gift to the nation -- the Adventure Cycling Route Network.
THE NORTH ARROW EXPLAINED
This illustrates why our north is not necessarily up as it is on most maps, and why it changes orientation from panel to panel. This
allows as many miles of the route as possible to be depicted on each map panel.
The north arrows on Adventure Cycling maps seem to be a constant source of confusion for some people. There is a practical reason why we
can't always put north at the top of the maps. In the following illustration, we have two index maps for section 4 of the Atlantic Coast
Route. The one on the left (figure 1) shows the map panels as they exist. In the other (figure 2), panels are drawn so that all are oriented to the north (and
still fit into a handlebar bag window). The 373 miles between Richmond, Virginia and Wilmington, North Carolina, that we cover now in 12 map panels would
require 19 map panels. In addition, the 248-mile Outer Banks Alternate, which we squeeze into four, double-map panels, would now require 10
map panels. On north/south routes, it is evident that we would have to double the number of map panels we currently need to do a route. This
would, in turn, double certain production costs and make the maps cost more.
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