I want to bike across Massachusetts, from Cambridge to Lee. Which route is best?

I would like to find a route that minimizes both the traffic lights I'll be encountering and (obviously) the total distance I'll need to travel. Are bicycles allowed on the MassPike, or is that a bad idea?

Here is a link to the route automatically generated by Google Maps:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge...

Here is a link to the route generated by Google Maps that avoids highways:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge...

bicycles are not allowed on the MassPike. Routes 2, 9, and 20 will get you all the way East to West, but some stretches of each of these roads get a bit sketchy. In terms of sticking to major roads though, they're your best bet. Route 20 goes right through Lee. 2 & 9 each go a bit further north, but may have a little less traffic. 20 was the first major road in the state and goes through Worcester and Springfield. Route 9 goes through Worcester, but to the north of Springfield, through Northampton and on through Pittsfield. Route 2 runs the northern part of the state, through Fitchburg, Greenfield and on through Adams. rte 20 gets dicey in Springfield, and Noho on rte 9 is definitely more bike friendly! rtes 20 & 9 cross one another, and have intersecting routes in common (well they connect to 2 as well), so a route involving a combo of 20 & 9 probably makes the most sense. if you get a AAA map, you can peice together some lesser roads, and avoid some of the larger cities along the way. these roads will have more climbs though! if you need to lay-over in the Southbridge area, let me know. we'd be happy to accomodate a fellow cyclist.