The Route

Since I've been typing a bit tonight, I thought I'd try to post a picture of 'a' route from Grand Rapids to San Diego.
Much thanks to Google for having such great mapping tools. I plan to use the map tools to document the trip.
Now, this is the 'direct route' between G.R and S.D., not our 'intended' route.
One of my preferences on this trip is to stay off the interstates as much as possible. As a former truck driver, I've seen all of these expressways many times. I'd like to get onto the State highways and back roads and see the rest of America. Possibly trace the old Route 66. Also, the 'direct route' goes through some pretty boring landscapes. Nothing against the people living in Nebraska, but there is only so much 'nothing' that I can stand looking at. Iowa, I know much of your economy revolves around livestock, but them pigs are offensive to my nose (but I do like ham).

Based on the weather, I figure there are probably three potential routes.

1. If we get an early spring with warm dry weather, I figured we could cut up through Michigan's upper peninsula, head toward Minneapolis, down through South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and into California.
2. If the weather is cold (like it is now in Michigan), we'd head straight south through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and whenever it started getting warm, turn west through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and into California.
3. If the weather is in the middle somewhere, we'd go through the middle of the country. Kind of like Google suggests.