A highlight of this route is the historic Katy Trail, the country’s longest recreational rail trail. Now a state park, the crushed-limestone trail is built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad and winds alongside the mighty Missouri River. The Jefferson City Option can be used if the western portion of the Katy Trail is flooded. In Boonville, Missouri, the TransAmerica Crossover provides a mid-way connection to the traditional TransAmerica Trail. It follows the Katy Trail to its western terminus in Clinton, Missouri, and links up to Section 8 of the TransAmerica Trail just north of Toronto, Kansas. For cyclists who also plan to ride the Western Express Bicycle Route, this Crossover creates a more streamlined route across Middle America. The Connector terminates in Indianapolis, the state capital and largest city in Indiana. From here, ride onto the Chicago to New York City Route to continue east on your “express” cross-country journey.

More information about this route is available here.