Need your advice on Travel.

[SergntMac]

Unless something changes, Zack, mercman and I will be hitting the road on 13 Sep. 05, to visit Dennis. Tenatively, we'll start out on I-65 from Indy to Nashville, where we pick up I-24 to Chattanooga. From there, it's I-75 south until we hit the I-10 in Florida.

Anyone living along this path, with advice on local conditions, your advice is welcomed. Gas pricing and availability, road conditions, places to steer around, anything will be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

[MarauderMark]

Welp none of that is my way but ya'll have a safe trip now , hear..:up:

[dwasson]

Chattanooga is always a mess but there's not a good way around it. Stay out of Alabama. The police there are predatory.

There's a great BBQ place just off the road in Tunnel Hill GA.

[MM2004]

Mac,

Be careful on 65 past Louisville around E'town. There is construction going on and the State boys are heavy and mean business! :(

Nashville could also be a problem as construction has been going on for about a century now. :rolleyes:

Gas right now in Louisville is $3.09 (premium) for the reformulated crap. Try and time it to get gas outside of Louisville. (At least you will get the "real" stuff).

Be safe out there. OK?

Mike.


Unless something changes, Zack, mercman and I will be hitting the road to visit Dennis. Tenatively, we'll start out on I-65 from Indy to Nashville, where we pick up I-24 to Chattanooga. From there, it's I-75 south until we hit the I-10 in Florida.

Anyone living along this path, with advice on local conditions, your advice is welcomed. Gas pricing and availability, road conditions, places to steer around, anything will be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

[Mike Poore]

Unless something changes, Zack, mercman and I will be hitting the road on 13 Sep. 05, to visit Dennis. Tenatively, we'll start out on I-65 from Indy to Nashville, where we pick up I-24 to Chattanooga. From there, it's I-75 south until we hit the I-10 in Florida.

Anyone living along this path, with advice on local conditions, your advice is welcomed. Gas pricing and availability, road conditions, places to steer around, anything will be helpful.

Thanks in advance.
I know it's a little out of the way; but you're welcome to stop here ...dinner's on me. :)

I hope you have one of the pro guards installed and check the fuel consumption. If you don't have one, be sure to get Dennis to install a unit to compare the difference on your way back home. Did I tell you I hit 29MPG from Athens, OH, VIA US 50 to the Gettysburg area, on my return trip from MMV lll?

[SergntMac]

I know it's a little out of the way; but you're welcome to stop here ...dinner's on me. :) I hope you have one of the pro guards installed and check the fuel consumption. If you don't have one, be sure to get Dennis to install a unit to compare the difference on your way back home. Did I tell you I hit 29MPG from Athens, OH, VIA US 50 to the Gettysburg area, on my return trip from MMV lll? I'd love to take you up on your offer, Mike, but the drive down has been planned as a straight through drive. Just under 1100 miles, I'm budgeting 13 to 16 hours drive time, depending on traffic. We'll be coming back this way too, on Sunday, 18 Sep. 05, unless something changes. Rain check until then? (bad pun, sorry)

Yes, I have the ProGard shield installed, and I like it a lot. My highway MPG is well documented, and my personal best has been 24 MPG. I'm looking forward to road testing this mod, and my latest SCT tune.

Thanks to you all for your advice, please keep it coming. I know we may be skirting the outer perimeter of rescue efforts, and we don't want to get in the way.

[Mad1]

Mac,

If you come through Nashville around 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., expect traffic to be heavy.

I'd suggest taking I-65 until the you can get on Briley Parkway (155) where it splits off east around past Opryland Hotel to circle around downtown and bypass the I-40 construction in Nashville. You can pick up I-24 after you pass over I-40 and get by Nashville International Airport.

If you haven't been through here lately, they rerouted I-65 a few years ago, so that it takes you west around the city. So don't follow the I-65 signs past where it splits from I-24 on the north side of town, unlike how you might have in the past. If you don't go Briley be aware that the I-40/I-24 interchange can be extremely backed up and cause massive delays for you trying to get past it to I-24, especially during blasting.

I'd stick to the posted speed limits, especially through Nashville and on Briley. See my earlier posts about the massive ticket attack our police chief has underway along with his new undercover anti-aggressive driving units.

Safe journey fellas.

Jeremy
Mad1

P.S. Call me if you get stuck in interstate traffic in Nashville and I can route you around most anything.

[Paul T. Casey]

Last time I was in Chattanooga area (this past May) seems most of the road work has already moved north of the city. Except for the normal rush hour crap, your run from Nashville area to Atlanta should be pretty good. I never had any problems with the LEO's from Chatt. to Atl. but then again I'm usually right around the limit anyway. If you can wait for fuel, get it in GA instead of TN though. Last I knew, it was about a dime plus less in Ringgold GA compared to Chattanooga.

[DEFYANT]

I have no advise 'cept,

Have a safe trip! Are you taking the Marauder?

[STLR FN]

I, like Defyant, have nothing really to add, 'cept younz have a safe trip down.

[1stMerc]

Mac, if you don't already have one, get a gps unit. Really come in handy if you have to do any rerouting.

Just came back from Jackson, Tennessee and averaged 23.7 mpg (but that was with it back to the stock tune and stock gears) and even with stints of 114 mph bursts (couldn't resist). Should have seen the peoples faces when i let the big dog bark.
Also have the Proguard installed.

[RCSignals]

Sorry you guys aren't headed West. Maybe next time?

Have a safe, uneventful (until you get to Dennis at least) trip.

Hurricane Maria is brewing :( but hopefully won't hit land

[martyo]

See now, I was going to suggest a long trip off a short pier, but that would get taken the wrong way. :D

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

Hey Mac,

I don't know if you have any business to take care of in Indy. If you don't may I suggest driving I-57 into Southern Illinois and picking up I-24 from there. You will bypass Nashville and Indy. I know it looks as though you are going out of your way but I assure you you will be much happier going this route. This is the route that I travel when I go to Florida. I usually save about 2 1/2 hours of drive time by diverting to this route. If you have any questions give me a shout on my cell. Take Care and have a great trip.

[CRUZTAKER]

Good luck guys...be safe.

I'll keep an eye on Illy for you while your out.;)

[Gryphonzus]

I travel that route every time I go up to INDY. If I am going to Southern Indiana around Paoli I get off 65 at 24 just before the river on the north side of Louisville. I can tell you this much I do all my traveling at night and make the best time then. The best time for me to go from Macon, GA to Paoli, IN is about 9.5 hours. That is just stopping for gas and restroom while gassing no eats. My average is about 11 hours. So 16 hours is probably what it is going to take. I think that 120 mph I mean that period of faster traffic helped cut some time off. Also if you get to Atlanta during daylight hours and you have more than one person in the car get in the HOV lane and you can zip through Atlanta. Just make sure there is more than one person in the car though because the Police really watch that. In the HOV lane I do not have to worry about any traffic on my left because there isn't any and usually not too much in front or behind.

Like one of the others said try and get your gas in GA because it is usually cheaper. Have a safe trip and watch out for the crazies.:fire:

[Mad1]

I-40 down to one lane (http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050908/COUNTY0107/509080422/1001)

Night travelers, plan ahead for I-40 at Briley

Early-morning commuters and motorists driving at night should expect a traffic headache as Interstate 40 is reduced to one lane in both directions at the Briley Parkway interchange for the demolition of a bridge.

The lane closures, scheduled from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each week night, began yesterday and is expected to wrap up on Sept. 16, the Tennessee Department of Transportation reported yesterday. Demolition of the existing northbound bridge will result in a temporary traffic shift.


The 40-year-old interchange bridges "are no longer adequate for the amount of traffic on Briley Parkway, said Paul Degges, TDOT's chief engineer.

A new two-span bridge structure will be extended to accommodate an additional lane of traffic on I-40 and will add wider shoulders on Briley Parkway to improve safety and provide more room for stranded motorists. In addition, new flyover ramps at the Briley Parkway interchange will aid traffic flow in the area.

Motorists heading south along Briley Parkway should use the left lane to access Interstate 40 west.

For additional information, go to the TDOT Web site at www.tennessee.gov/tdot, or call the road information hot line at 1-800-858-6349.

[prchrman]

Please keep us posted on travel time as I must be slow. I take a trip at least once a year 918 miles and all is I-40 with the exception of about 40 miles and it takes me at least 14 hours, I must be doing something wrong. If you can do that route of 1100 miles in 16 hours you will be averaging over 68 mph, and that is exception time. I hope you can do it, be safe out there, also have some fun.
willie

[bob35222]

Hey Mac,

I don't know if you have any business to take care of in Indy. If you don't may I suggest driving I-57 into Southern Illinois and picking up I-24 from there. You will bypass Nashville and Indy. I know it looks as though you are going out of your way but I assure you you will be much happier going this route. This is the route that I travel when I go to Florida. I usually save about 2 1/2 hours of drive time by diverting to this route. If you have any questions give me a shout on my cell. Take Care and have a great trip.
Mac, I have made this drive many times. I-57 to I 24 is the way to go.

[SergntMac]

Mac, I have made this drive many times. I-57 to I 24 is the way to go. Thank you, Bob, and Tim, I realize this too. But, we have a passenger to pick up just north of Indy.

[Svashtar]

29 mpg!? 24 mpg? Geez, wonder what I'm doing wrong!? The best I have ever done in my life was 21 mpg. I'm hoping that when I finally get my TC installed and the car dyno tuned that maybe those numbers will improve a bit.

Sounds like a great trip, and I envy you getting to go. You guys stick together and have fun. I just sent my factory grill to Dennis today to intercept Zack; part of what I owed him for the new chrome grill he made for me. It looks fantastic on the car; what an outstanding improvement! Getting rid of the badge and adding that chrome really changed the front end completely for the better.

Have a safe trip!

Norm

[SergntMac]

Thank you, all, for your advice, and guidance.

In a few hours, we will be heading out OTR, (in a Bob Seger sort of way). The "we" is me, "Zack", and "mercman". Our destination is Reinhart's back porch, where we will sit and rag on his sorryazz for a few days, until we "git to racin" at Gainsville.

Seger's "Roll Me Away" is our theme song for this tour. If any of y'all want to hook up along this way, or, just say hello as we pass through, y'all can reach me at 312.401.1396, or, Zack, at 708.476.2647.

We are both looking forward to meeting new friends.

[Rider90]

Thank you, all, for your advice, and guidance.

In a few hours, we will be heading out OTR, (in a Bob Seger sort of way). The "we" is me, "Zack", and "mercman". Our destination is Reinhart's back porch, where we will sit and rag on his sorryazz for a few days, until we "git to racin" at Gainsville.

Seger's "Roll Me Away" is our theme song for this tour. If any of y'all want to hook up along this way, or, just say hello as we pass through, y'all can reach me at 312.401.1396, or, Zack, at 708.476.2647.

We are both looking forward to meeting new friends.
That's awesome. A cruise to FL heading out late at night, I love that...Wish I could tag along. Have fun and drive safe Mac, Zack, and Dan.

[Mongoose]

Mac,

Be careful on 65 past Louisville around E'town. There is construction going on and the State boys are heavy and mean business! :(

Nashville could also be a problem as construction has been going on for about a century now. :rolleyes:

Gas right now in Louisville is $3.09 (premium) for the reformulated crap. Try and time it to get gas outside of Louisville. (At least you will get the "real" stuff).

Be safe out there. OK?

Mike.

Construction delays on I-65 in Kentucky possible from mile marker 102 to the 97 mile marker. Like Mike said, state and DOT patrol these areas pretty regularly. There's what we call the "no fly zone" in Louisville from the 131 to the 124 mile markers. Louisville Metro PD patrols this area 24/7 using unmarked Camaros. (First mile marker going south on I-65 in KY is the 137).

[MM03MOK]

Thank you, all, for your advice, and guidance.

In a few hours, we will be heading out OTR, (in a Bob Seger sort of way). The "we" is me, "Zack", and "mercman". Our destination is Reinhart's back porch, where we will sit and rag on his sorryazz for a few days, until we "git to racin" at Gainsville.

Seger's "Roll Me Away" is our theme song for this tour. If any of y'all want to hook up along this way, or, just say hello as we pass through, y'all can reach me at 312.401.1396, or, Zack, at 708.476.2647.

We are both looking forward to meeting new friends.The Advance Team has arrived. All Clear for landing by DMZ......