Old-style shunpikes

[NE2]

Back in the 19th century, drivers would cut across a farmer's land (sometimes with permission of the farmer) to bypass a toll booth.

This on Highway 2D west of Mexicali appears to be similar: the old alignment has been blocked off by boulders, but some may have been moved to allow at least motorcycles to bypass the toll.

[Alps]

I had to do similar to drive the truly original alignment of US 99 over the CA/OR border, but there was no toll if I chose to drive the newer 99 alignment or I-5.

Visiting the old US 2 customs from the New Brunswick side, I noticed a dirt trail in the woods that was drivable in my then-Camry. I'm sure it would have led under the canopy on the US side and out toward US 1. I forget from being on the US side, but I think the whole trail actually does connect from one side to the other. It would be pretty foolish to use it, though.

[MikeTheActuary]

Then there's this: http://goo.gl/prF8es

History: http://goo.gl/VqMDGm

[Roadrunner75]

And this....
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.973813,-74.924644&spn=0.000004,0.00327&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=38.973812,-74.925157&panoid=mt03VSsb0x46cmprJ2PNBQ&cbp=12,270.53,,0,-2.48

...as well as "Poorman's Parkway":
https://www.google.com/maps?ll=39.638026,-74.365404&spn=0.005618,0.013078&t=h&z=17

[jcroyer80]

We have two seperate Shunpike Road's within 100 yards of each other in South Burlington, VT.  I guess its possible that at one time they were the same road.   You could use either/both to bypass certain sections of US Route 2/Williston Road which is the main east/west road (not counting I 89) in the area. This road used to be called the Winooski Turnpike (referenced below)

First:
http://goo.gl/maps/U8DNP

Second
http://goo.gl/maps/R8TJr

Some History: "In the 1700s, before private turnpike companies took over maintenance of roads, able bodied men and boys, ages 16 to 60 years old, were required to provide 4 full days a year of labor to maintain the roads in their own town. When the turnpike companies took over, they charged tolls to those who traveled on them. At one such tollbooth on the Winooski Turnpike, at the hill just east of Shunpike Road, travelers paid fifty cents to pass with their 4-wheel pleasure carriage drawn by two horses. A herd of swine or sheep was charged at six cents a dozen. However, those on their way to church and farmers passing to their land were exempt from paying a toll. Thrifty citizens determined to "shun the pike,"  built a road around the tollbooth, creating Shunpike Road (still there today). However, the turnpike company moved the tollbooth to the west of Shunpike Road and consequently, travelers began paying tolls once again, until collecting tolls ended around 1900."

http://www.otherpapersbvt.com/the-roads-less-traveled.-.-.or-are-they.html