Destinations, Paths and Places to Avoid In Big Bad Scenarios (U.S.)

While we have a large amount of valuable information regarding survival in this forum, I often find myself wondering WHERE to go in the penultimate SHTF scenario that we so love to discuss on this site. There seems to be a general consensus of "every man for himself" in these situations and it just seems to me to have better collaboration on the destinations and goals as well as the day-to-day survival.

This popped up on my FB page today and got me thinking about the subject:



The pic is from this site: www.bioprepper.com... CAUTION to avoid the links on that page as they take you to the site's doom porn infomercials.

So, regarding this picture, do you members of ATS agree that these are places to avoid?
We should take in consideration of several different scenarios that are possible such as:

1. WWiii Worries - Minutes away from Midnight!
2. Fema Camp Capers - The doors of doom porn for the NWO
3. Captain Trips - A blight upon us!
4. Economic Escapades - Money Gone, Money all Gone
5. Supervolcano Shenanigans: Yellowstone is the new Black


Those silly captions aside, I'd like a more serious collaboration on these possible events (and others too - feel free to speak of others) like:
A. Where do you think are good destinations to meet and greet when it all goes down?
It's better to have some idea where other like minds are going to go if we want to unite as a community again, right? This way we don't just amble around town to town like they do in The Walking Dead.

B. Taking the map into consideration, are those all really bad places to be? Do you think others should be added?
My goal is to go South where it's warmer. To me, that just makes sense and I'm less useless when I'm not cold. Are islands a terrible idea?
I'm sure we have some geographers and other vital minds on this forum that might know where good water will flow, where fallout will fall and where 2nd chances exist.

C. What are some ideal paths to take?
Which highways are out of the question? Is it better to stick to a river? What giant food distribution centers are the best for raiding?
What are some really good places worth a check for supplies and other resources? What's liable to become a pathway of scary people that you want to avoid?

While I'm not likely to make it myself with my poor survival skills and personal distaste for activity, I think that it's smart to plan and collaborate amongst the bright heads of this website so that assuming you can MacGuyver your way around, you have end goals in mind too.

Also, I'm sorry this is so U.S.A. specific. Feel free to discuss other country's escape plans as well.

I will just stick to my mountains here in colorado. I am a decent distance from NORAD, unless it gets nuked, if that happens then we are all #ed anyways...

a reply to: jackjoedoe

I'm thinking Colorado is going to be one of the choicer destinations, with the exception of the volcano scenario. And that would be a grim situation for any of the western/mid states. According to the map, it looks like NORAD is certainly a hit.

avoid any areas where you hear banjo music playing ...

a reply to: gottaknow

I'll attempt this, but its a huge topic.

A. Where do you think are good destinations to meet and greet when it all goes down?
B. Taking the map into consideration, are those all really bad places to be?
C. What are some ideal paths to take? Which highways are out of the question? Is it better to stick to a river? What giant food distribution centers are the best for raiding? What are some really good places worth a check for supplies and other resources? What's liable to become a pathway of scary people that you want to avoid?

A. My personal plan would be to head to the nearest County Sheriff's office. At least in my State, Sheriff's have rather peculiar authority and when all other systems break down, all authority at the local level resides in the County Sheriff's office. Sheriff's offices are also communication hubs. Something to think about with regard to communications I've learned in surviving numerous Hurricanes is that while the cell phones fail, the land lines often times survive. Catch there however is that to use the landlines, you need an old fashioned rotary type phone. We actually kept one just for emergency situations from one Hurricane to another.
B. The map seems to focus on large population centers and military installations. I'd add the New Orleans area. I love NOLA, but...having lived there, I can tell you it suffers from one huge geographical problem. There's only 3 ways out of the city, I-10 East over a long bridge...I-10 West over a long bridge and the Pontchartrain Causeway North, another bridge. There was a railroad but I think it was knocked out by Katrina and hasn't been rebuilt; I say that because it seems Amtrak service to NOLA has been interrupted. That may be fixed by now. I'm not sure.
C. You'll want to avoid the Interstates at all costs. Something most people don't recall is that the Interstates as built by the Eisenhower administration, are there for the military. They were built for emergency military use and will be highly regulated. Experts I've read suggest following railroads, not the Interstates.

As for the "scary" people? We know two things about them; one, they're concentrated pretty much in the Cities and two, they'll migrate to the Walmart Distribution centers and tie them up and resist intruders. Bottom line there is that if you're serious, you should get your own "get-away" location, ideally remote from any urban/suburban areas, with your own water well. You don't need more than half an acre you can park an RV on; but you've got to have your own water well to survive. It's no good having a bug out plan without a place to bug out too. With a water well you can grow enough food to survive on half an acre.

As for the "scenarios", my primary concern for the SHTF is some sort of plague/disease scenario. What with unregulated borders and global air travel, the entire world is at risk for a pandemic.

Thanks for your post. Good topic.

a reply to: TonyS

I appreciate your excellent reply! I realized the topic was getting on the big side there and decided to stop before posting more questions. I have tendencies to write little books here sometimes.

Those answers are exactly the kind of information I was hoping to get with this post.
Especially avoiding the interstates and going with railroad tracks. I never even thought of that.

Also, NOLA was one of my original ideas of a place to go because it's semi-abandoned already and has already had a recent tragedy. But then I got to thinking how easy it was for everyone to be rounded up there in Katrina times and now that you mention the few entrances, that's definitely off my list.

And yeah, Walmarts are out of the question for me from the get-go. That's where everyone is going to head and the chaos will be ridiculous. I'm thinking some out-of-the-way food hubs or companies. Abbott Laboratories would be my intentional first pit stop as it's nearish to me and I can drink me some Ensure. It does have an airport right near it though.

The pandemic scenario is kind of an off-one for the solutions as realistically in something like that, you'd want to avoid people altogether for quite awhile. If anyone has any further thoughts on that, have at it!

But yes, this is exactly the kind of discussion I feel needs to be done.

Southern part of the Ozark is where I was looking.

Big thing to remember is where are the nearest power plants to your bug out location and what are the prevailing winds.

Would suck to be safe and secure in your location and have radiation from a meltdown be blown on top of you.

a reply to: Irishhaf

The Ozarks are another good possibility, but it would be great to get a more distinct location that people could have in mind to travel to.

a reply to: gottaknow

For me at least the wife has family in the region, so we have an in for that area, also it's not to far from where we live in oklahoma, I could walk it in a few days.

Whichever place people pick visit it, as often as you can afford. So you know the lay of the land, and get to know some locals.

They will be a lot less likely to shoot first if they know your name and face.

Lots of bug out location possibilities in the USA, se oklahoma, few people pretty thickly wooded hill country.

Southern Ozarks, again heavily wooded old mountain stability.

Black Hills south Dakota, gorgeous, lots of game and fish, again few people.

Wyoming and Utah, populations are pretty well condensed to small areas of the state, lots of wilderness to be lost in.

But you need to forge a connection with the locals before it hits the fan, to help improve your odds.

And lastly... Actually know how to survive in the environment your choosing to bug out to.

I choose ozarks because of closeness, prevailing winds from closest nuke plants, family ties,and in a pinch I can survive a winter in those hills.

Thanks for the info. That area is great for it's remote-ness and preserved state. I've always liked the idea of living remotely if, for some reason, I couldn't have internet anymore.

It's not so much that I'm looking for the ideal place as I'm thinking people should collectively come to some conclusions on where people should migrate to if the crazy goes down. As I mentioned, I doubt I'd make it long. I could fish if I had to. Maybe get by a little while, mostly making stops in other people's empty houses, taking what I could.

I'm not even that concerned that there's anything real close around the corner, although, I do think things are getting generally worse. I just see everyone giving survival tips without destinations and routes in mind. And there should be some so that people can meet up and then work together. Especially a community similar to the one on this site.

I'll stay right here in the middle of Hellinois.

I planned this out years ago. I have acreage. Plenty of hunting ground. Two spring fed ponds stocked with fish. Endless supply of fresh water. Land for crops. Crappy winters that makes for easy food storage. A river.

Plenty more to add, but you get the gist. My family will survive...

A. Where do you think are good destinations to meet and greet when it all goes down?

It is better IMO to have a bug out area idea where other like minds are going and to unite as a community. Better yet, to move there and give yourself a few years to adjust, prepare and fit into the existing community.

B. Taking the map into consideration, are those all really bad places to be?

The city is out, near any major ports, including air ports, military bases and nuclear power plants is out. Get as far from these as possible.

Going South where it's warmer, sounds good but everyone will want to do that and you'd have to prepare to survive in a southern environment with more dangers than a northern one, ie. poison plants and animals, parasites and diseases, etc.

C. What are some ideal paths to take?

Highways are out of the question, no doubt there.

A river seems pretty good, but depends on which one and the time of year. I considered the Mississippi River, via the Great Lakes, however that would take me through the Chicago area, no good. Foot trails or little used back roads would be next desirable mode of travel.

What giant food distribution centers are the best for raiding? None, try smaller chains, hardware and farmer's co-ops, food warehouses and distribution centers and processing or canning plants.

What's liable to become a pathway of scary people that you want to avoid? People you want to avoid will be everywhere you go, trust only your own people, but only so much, otherwise, don't trust anyone at that point.

a reply to: Expat888

Being a hillbilly, raised in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, [ now in Central Illinois ] that's where I may be headed. Plenty of game, caves, moonshine and a very big extended family, with a extensive knowledge of wild edibles and a serious reputation for not liking strangers poking around. I also have the option of heading to a 200 acre farm, out in the middle of no where, owned by my father in law. With about 80 - 90 of that woods and the rest tillable land, planted with corn and soybeans it has an "Oh My God" amount of deer, turkey, dove, squirrel, rabbit, etc.. so it's a hunters' paradise. A very large garden, planted every year, will be a good source of veggies and fruit trees grow wild all over the property. Probably will bug out there first and if things go to Hell, load up for Ky.

originally posted by: gottaknow
a reply to: jackjoedoe

I'm thinking Colorado is going to be one of the choicer destinations, with the exception of the volcano scenario. And that would be a grim situation for any of the western/mid states. According to the map, it looks like NORAD is certainly a hit.

Actually if Yellowstone goes it will be worse than "The Year without a summer".

It will be more like the Toba disaster.

1800 and Froze to death, aka the year without a summer

Toba catastrophe - the human gene bottleneck theory

A. Where do you think are good destinations to meet and greet when it all goes down?

Away from cities, airports, mil bases, or any other power tripping freak areas.

I'd meet someplace where you cannot be sniped by jerk wads looking
for easy pickings, rural but not exposed or in the open.

B. Taking the map into consideration, are those all really bad places to be? Do you think others should be added?

I think most of those marked areas are areas of high population, and I'd
say they would be best to avoid in a "compete for resources event".

Some people will simply kill you and take your stuff which goes on
now to a much lesser degree.

I am sure some more areas need to be added, but I really only research
my area as I don't think I'd do well outside my area.

C. What are some ideal paths to take?

You want to have more then one route out.

Route #1 - fastest via highway but only take if you are sure
its not locked down by grid lock or martial law.

Route #2 - lowest likelihood of confiscation checkpoints,
possibly mostly dirt/gravel farm roads.

Monitor road status via short wave, scanner, or other
device if EMP is unlikely.

Additional unrelated to the 3 questions have a restart kit
hidden somewhere in case you end up having all your stuff
taken by crooked cops, crooked blue helmets, crooked
citizens, or crooked neighbors.

Also I agree on wild edibles with the person who mentioned it,
all the game will be hunted out quick if the food trucks stop
due to hyperinflation.

Food that looks like weeds to 95% of city dwellers is a good idea.

originally posted by: Expat888
avoid any areas where you hear banjo music playing ...

Time to buy a banjo....

a reply to: gottaknow

An ancillary topic that I've become aware of but haven't adequately researched is the idea that rather than trying to go it alone, it may be better to find like minded individuals in your area to "tribe up" with, or other wise form a small "pack" or group with which to travel. Americans seem to have become super Individualistic, but there may be more advantages to form co-operative groups.

Regarding the state I currently live in-I find it odd that Chattanooga and Knoxville/Oak Ridge didn't make it to the list.
I personally would stay away from those two places. River travel may be an option but, I always feel like a "sitting duck" in a canoe. Most rivers here have high banks or hillsides and someone could be above just as a look out.
I think I would prefer footpaths/old back roads rarely taken other than by trucks and 4 wheelers. At least I'd feel as if me and "the other people" would be on a more level plane.

Florida seems like the place to NOT GO for sure. There are a lot of caves, etc in my area as well but, unless you are the first one there and are able to defend it....

Good thread but, some of the map from the link seems off...

a reply to: gottaknow

I fear that people would start shooting and killing other people for the simple fun of it, and that travelling anywhere, rural or urban, would be about as dangerous as travelling through a terrorist war zone.

I think people are far worse than given credit for. The main reason they already aren't killing random strangers for simple monetary or other gains is because they fear ending up in prison or getting a death penalty.

If that fear were gone, preying upon their fellow man is the easiest and most exciting way to stay alive.

Urban cultures are already geared for it because it's so competitive in the city. If there were no recourse, people would start killing each other for all kinds of simple reasons.

a reply to: gottaknow

So in summary, I think alot of the romanticism with "The Walking Dead" and other zombie flicks / books is just that, a romantic depiction of mankind in such situations. The reality would be far worse.

What people call "Psychopaths" would be everywhere, and in groups.

People would sit around looking through the scope on their rifles out of sheer boredom, and shooting anything or anyone they could get away with shooting. At least your crazier ones, like country boys and inner-city gang types.

So I would say the worst places to be around would be the most highly populated areas, a bit of a no brainer. If everyone thought that way, there'd be an exodus into the rural areas, which would mean groups would eventually have to come to agreement and work together, or fight to the death.

I just think there'd be very few large, accepting groups like that. If they encountered you, they just might be as quick to kill you on principle (if you're armed, and who wouldnt be at that point?) instead of trying to get you to join them.

Example:

A group of 6 people forage and hunt for food and materials. They occasionally encounter other small groups their size, and one or both groups usually start gun fights with each other on sight. They use to be 8 strong, but 2 are dead from gun fights and infections. They encounter 2 heavily armed people with really nice gear one day.

A) Capture them and take their gear?
---The group has been getting on better since the death of the other 2 members, reducing the size of their group and making it easier to feed everyone. Less chances of being noticed, less random factor. Why risk personal injury or death by trying to approach them and make them surrender?

B) Kill them and take their gear?
---The group could use the backpacks, vests, guns, ammo, shoes, jackets, and whatever food or medicine that the 2 people may have on them. The 2 people that the group has noticed are unaware that they've been spotted. The last time some people in your group were shot and eventually died was during a random encounter with a few folks just like this. Why not kill them and take their #?


I'm leaving out some things like recon, but if this was the area you frequented, and you scouted it regularly, you'd know if they were alone or not. When survival is the driving motivator, and all civility and fear of police powers have gone out the window, you have to consider that this will be the way people think and act.

It'll be like .. Mad Max and the Thunderdome type of #, except in real life. lol.