Look in the atlas for alternate routes to your destination. Find the largest roads first, starting with interstates and highways. Regular roads may look like the quickest, but speed limits are low and you will need to stop frequently as you travel through towns.
Identify attractions in the travelers' guide that you want to see and plan your route on interstates and highways that run close to them. Plan your route so that you are off main arteries as little as possible.
Note the distance and the speeds that you can travel so that you won't be late to your destination. Give yourself a lot of extra time for stops. If you have to go 650 miles and will travel 65 mph, don't expect to make it in 10 hours.
Highlight your planned route in the atlas so you don't forget it. Take the atlas with you on the trip and check it often.
