Why would low-traffic back roads be dangerous? And similarly, why would it be hard to avoid big cities?
Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if low-traffic back roads aren’t among the most dangerous for pedestrians. The ones I am familiar with, at least, are often completely shoulder-less with deep ditches on either side, steep banked turns, and locals who drive like bats out of hell because they know them so well.
I mean, I am sure more people get hit in crowded suburbs, but there are a lot more people and a lot more cars. I bet if you take into account the population/traffic, back roads are the worst, or close to it.
You walk on the road on the “wrong” (left in North America) side so that you can see oncoming traffic and step off the road as needed. Don’t stare at your feet, keep your chin up and pay attention. Wear a reflective vest or arm/leg bands at night.
Bicycling is much more dangerous, because all the traffic is coming from your six.
One of these days I’m going to walk from Disneyland (in Anaheim) to Disneyworld (in Orlando). ~3000 miles, across desert, mountains, swamps, etc.
Anyone want to sponsor me? 
A friend of mine is currently walking from Tucson AZ to Grand Rapids MI - and webcasting along the way. She’s mapped out a route and is using social networking to find people to stay with along the way.
Check out www.walkinghomestories.com for more info.
That’s goofy.
Here’s a guy who did it last year and blogged about it the whole way. It makes for a pretty interesting read.
No, but I’d consider joining you 
The OP didn’t say you MUST walk on interstate highways and freeways. Of course a hiker would just avoid those. It is not difficult at all to do that. I’m surprised people think it is. If I were walking cross country I’d stay as far from major highways as possible. I guess the idea that all that’s out there are those dangerous highways comes from our car-dependent culture. Venture off the beaten path once in a while!
It’s not dangerous at all. The back roads are picked for lack of traffic. You could walk an hour and not see anyone on certain roads. I’ve walked and biked back roads a bit, in different rural areas, and it’s mostly pleasant. You just stop when you hear a car coming if you’re worried. A lot of long distance “trails” use back roads as connectors when a real footpath isn’t available. The “Grand Illinois Trail” is one example of a long distance hiking/biking path that uses back roads for this purpose. I’ve biked parts of it and it’s not a big deal.
So take the long and…
[or]
Take the long way home
The’ve specially made boots
::mods get hook ready backstage::
But what would you do after, to celebrate?
Fly to France to go to EuroDisney.
Nah. I’m hoping that by then, the long-awaited Miami-to-Barcelona bridge will be up and running, and I’ll just walk there.
IME, get wet.