driving directions

The finished Great American Rail-Trail will be totally isolated from vehicular traffic and will prohibit motorized transportation. Although the trail's surface varies, it was built with pedestrians and cyclists in mind. The trail's purpose is to provide peace and security to cyclists, pedestrians, and runners who choose to travel the length and breadth of the United States, whether it is to a remote part of their own state or to a state on the other side of the continent.

There are several motels, campsites, and a community of bike enthusiasts known as Warm Showers that give their homes to trail riders who need a place to crash in many states and portions specifically for long-distance trail users. Although it is possible to travel the whole distance in one sitting, most visitors choose to follow the rail path at their own pace. According to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, "the path will directly benefit almost 50 million people within 50 miles of the route."