If you file to a VOR direct, can ATC clear you along an airway
instead, and expect you to look up the airways? In other words, how
important is to carry an enroute chart if you don't plan on using
airways?

ATC, to the best of my knowledge, can clear you anyway they'd like. I'm
fairly sure you're not all that legal flying IFR without the appropriate
enroute chart. You're surely not safe. How would you know the MEA/MOCA
altitudes?

Surely if you can afford $XX/hour for the plane you can spring for the
chart.

Scott
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