@Oakleaf, the streets I'm talking about aren't "highways", but "arterials" where the speeds range fro 30-45 mph.

Overall I will try to take side streets, even if I have to get somewhere in a hurry. I feel safer on quiet side streets. Only problem is that some cars also feel "safer" and they don't always completely stop at stop signs, etc. My average speed around is typically 10-14 mph.
I think, in my case, it wouldn't have been so bad taking side streets if I hadn't gotten completely LOST! Seriously, I have NEVER gotten lost while using a street map. I have a natural ability with "directionality". It was cloudy and I couldn't get a clear idea of where the sun was. I seriously thought I was having a stroke or something because things weren't where they were supposed to be. I am going to DRIVE this route and figure out where I went wrong because I do want to be able to ride it without having to look at my map 20 times.