Age 12 · US geography

Map a band's US tour

Plan a coast-to-coast trip for the fictional band The Trail Notes. Use a US map or atlas.

2 pages · 40–50 minutes · Sample packet

HattieAge 12 · US geography

From the Pacific to the Atlantic

Name: ____________________Date: ______________

1. Find the tour stops

Locate each city on a US map. Fill in its state and the state's two-letter postal abbreviation.

City	State	Abbreviation
Seattle	________________	________
Boise	________________	________
Denver	________________	________
Chicago	________________	________
Nashville	________________	________
New York City	________________	________

2. Trace the route

On your map, connect the cities in the order listed. Which ocean is near the first stop? Which ocean is near the last?

3. Landforms on the journey

Which major mountain range is near Denver?

Which Great Lake borders Chicago?

Choose one route segment. Describe the overall compass direction of travel.

HattieAge 12 · US geography

Miles, clocks & route choices

Name: ____________________Date: ______________

1. Add the road miles

These rounded driving estimates are supplied for this activity, not navigation.

Route segment	Miles
Seattle → Boise	500
Boise → Denver	830
Denver → Chicago	1,000
Chicago → Nashville	470
Nashville → New York City	880

2. Tour manager math

What is the total mileage? Which segment is longest, and how much longer is it than the shortest?

During this tour, Seattle is on Pacific time and New York City is three hours ahead. A livestream starts at 4 p.m. in Seattle. What time is it in New York City?

3. Add your own stop

Pick another US city. Name its state and say where it belongs in the route. Use your map to explain the choice; consider geography, not just music tastes.

Grown-up notes & answer guide

States: Washington WA, Idaho ID, Colorado CO, Illinois IL, Tennessee TN, New York NY. Oceans: Pacific, Atlantic. Landforms: Rocky Mountains, Lake Michigan. Directions vary by segment. Total: 3,680 miles. Longest: Denver–Chicago; 530 miles longer than Chicago–Nashville. Livestream: 7 p.m. NYC. Provide a separate US map or atlas.

Names, scenarios, and prices in these samples are fictional.

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