My commute is about a mile longer because I choose to avoid certain roads. The ones I avoid have no shoulder at all, in addition to being very busy highways.

When I'm driving on these roads, If I see a cyclist, I tend to think they are nuts to ride there. That's particularly true on one section of Old Hartsville Pike. It's hilly and if a driver tops a hill and you are just on the other side, they could plow you over without the chance to compensate.

On the route I have chosen, I am generally treated quite respectfully.