Everyone should travel across country by car at least once in their lives. They should be made to stop in small diners and cafes off the interstates and talk with people. I did it the first time many decades ago and the images are as fresh in my mind as if it were last month. It will also fill you with overwhelming love for the country and its people. The perjorative terms "fly over states" and "elites" would vanish from our national vocabulary.
You are so right! I've made the "off the interstates" a point all of my life. When I traveled overseas, I used the same principles. Yeah, check out the 'popular' spots but try the ones off of the beaten path. I can't even begin to describe the rewards of that philosophy. Sad to say, one of my ex-girlfriends lost me forever after wanting to go to the Orlando tourist traps instead of just 'exploring'. Oh, well....