Driving to or from the Super Bowl this weekend shouldn’t go without connecting to the Indianapolis Colts along the way.

Using Mapquest.com, The Herald Bulletin took a ride using the shortest route timewise for the 1,221-mile, 19-hour trip to Sun Life Stadium, where the Miami Dolphins play. That took us along the traditional Interstate 65 route to Nashville, picking up I-24 over to I-75, working southeast to Orlando and then I-95 to Miami. (A former Floridian told us to warn you about traffic and construction — they tend to be a pain.)

By the way, Sun Life is the new stadium name announced Jan. 20. It was way back in May 2009 that the Dolphins’ home had been named Land Shark Stadium in an agreement with singer Jimmy Buffett’s beer brand.

Using the Colts’ vast media guide and other sources, we found some links that might help with any Super Bowl pre-game trivia party.

Kentucky

-- Former Colts kicker Shane Andrus, who’s done three stints with Indy, was born in Murray, Ky. on Oct. 2, 1980, and lives in Louisville.

-- Colts tight end Jacob Tamme was born in Danville (35 miles southwest of Lexington and close to I-75). He played for Kentucky and in high school was a finalist for Kentucky’s Mr. Football. His wife, Allison, is blogging from the Super Bowl at http://kyvoice.com/amnews/allisonssuperbowlexperience/.

Tennessee

-- Injured Colts tight end Tom Santi, who was born in Nashville, Tenn., resides there.

-- Speaking of Nashville, home of the Tennessee Titans, the Colts played them twice this season. The Colts won both: Oct. 11, 31-9, at Tennessee, and Dec. 6, 27-17 in Indy.

-- And speaking of Tennessee, as you should know, quarterback Peyton Manning played at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, graduating in 1998 to become the No. 1 NFL draft pick (for the Colts). A block-long road leading to the stadium is named Peyton Manning Pass. His No. 16 jersey was retired in 2005. Unique Web site: http://smokeys-trail.com/peyton/manning.html. There, Vanessa Williams’ “Save the Best for Last” is dedicated to Peyton and there’s a link to a neat story about 160 kids across the USA being named after Peyton; Knoxville’s News Sentinel gathered 49 of them in 2007. Bad reminder: Tennessee beat the Colts 19-16 on Jan. 16, 2000 in the AFC playoff in the RCA Dome.

Georgia

-- Defensive end Robert Mathis, born in Atlanta on Feb. 28, 1981, resides there. Center Jeff Saturday is also an Atlanta native, born June 18, 1975. Defense end Marcus Howard and defensive back Tim Jennings played at Georgia, and linebacker Philip Wheeler, born in Columbus, Ga., on Dec. 12, 1984, played for Georgia Tech.

-- The Colts last played Atlanta on Thanksgiving 2007, winning 31-13.

-- In Atlanta, ponder this: AirTran Airways is a sponsor for the Falcons. However, their planes are too small so the team always uses Delta.

Florida

-- Among those who reside in Florida: kicker Adam Vinatieri, Orlando; running back Chad Simpson, Miami, and linebacker Clint Session, Pompano Beach.

Miami

-- Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne played for the University of Miami and is still considered “the most prolific and consistent receiver in the storied history of Miami football.” This is where — nine years ago — roommate Ed Reed (the defensive standout now with the Baltimore Ravens) accidentally killed Wayne’s pet python, Law. Wayne, drafted by the Colts, left the animal in Reed’s care. A few days later, Wayne got a text message from Reed: “Hey, man, Law dead.” Growing up in Louisiana, Wayne was a New Orleans Saints fan - Please note: This is the first reference in this article to the Saints.

-- Among the Colts largest comebacks: Oct. 8, 1995, they trailed 3-24 and won 27-24 in overtime against Miami.

The Super Bowls

-- This the fourth Super Bowl trip for the Colts (Baltimore and Indy), all played in Miami.

-- Super Bowl III: Jets QB Joe Namath “guaranteed” a win for the Jan. 12, 1969 game. Colt QB Earl Marrall was intercepted three times in the first half. Johnny Unitas, with a sore elbow, came off the bench for the only touchdown. New York Jets 16, Baltimore Colts, 7

-- Super Bowl V: Jan. 17, 1971. Dallas Cowboys led 13-6 into the third. Colts tied it at 13-13 and rookie Jim O’Brien kicked a 32-yard field goal. Baltimore Colts 16, Dallas Cowboys 13

-- Super Bowl XLI: You likely still have the shirt from this one. Remembered for its steady rain, the Feb. 4, 2007 match-up saw Peyton Manning become the Colts first Super Bowl MVP. Indianapolis Colts 29, Chicago Bears 17

-- Security will be tight at the stadium — thanks to the Colts, in part. The NFL initiated a pat-down policy for people entering all stadiums in 2005 after, and we quote from a federal lawsuit in Florida, “a CBS news report from July 2002 that persons associated with terrorist groups had downloaded images from the Internet of NFL stadiums in Indianapolis and St. Louis. ... However, according to the report, the FBI investigated that incident and determined that it presented no threat, not even a perceived or implied threat.” That, however, gave the NFL impetus to search anyone and anything.

TV

-- Pre-game starts at 6 p.m. today on CBS. Kick-off is about 6:30 p.m.

-- While watching the always witty or controversial commercials, keep an eye out for the Doritos ad. If you see one with a casket loaded with the chips, then thank Anderson University grad David Schultz (2002). He was one of six finalists nationwide vying to have his ad on the Super Bowl. Voting was via Internet. The winner gets $25,000; and $1 million if it tops the USA Today ad meter. Find it at www.crashthesuperbowl.com.