Current Route plan for Texas Meet

[MAD-3R]

The lovely Wife and I plan on leaving our place at "Oh my god it's early" on the 17th of September. We will probebly take I 66 to I 81. From there, to I 40 to Texas. We have rooms booked and paid for at a Marriot owned hotel in Mesquite (s?) 30 min from Ennis.

We would probebly stop for the night somewhere between Knoxville and Nashville.

I would love to hook up and cruise with others.

5. I-66 W toward FRONT ROYAL. 52.74 miles

6: Merge onto I-81 S via exit number 1A- on the left- toward ROANOKE. 376.08 miles

7: Merge onto I-40 W via exit number 1B toward KNOXVILLE. 208.10 miles

8: Merge onto I-24 E via exit number 213A- on the left- toward CHATTANOOGA/ MEMPHIS/ I-440 W. 0.87 miles

9: Merge onto I-440 W via exit number 53 toward MEMPHIS. 7.59 miles

10: Merge onto I-40 W via the exit- on the left- toward MEMPHIS. 334.61 miles

11: Take the I-440 W exit- exit number 159- toward L.R. RIVER PORT/ L.R. AIRPORT/ TEXARKANA. 0.08 miles

12: Take the exit. 0.70 miles

13: Take the exit. 0.23 miles

14: Merge onto I-440 W. 9.19 miles

15: Merge onto I-30 W toward HOT SPRINGS/ TEXARKANA. 304.61 miles

16: Merge onto I-635 S via exit number 56B. 3.11 miles

17: Take the GROSS RD exit- exit number 5. 0.24 miles

18: Turn LEFT onto GROSS RD. 1.09 miles

19: GROSS RD becomes W KEARNEY ST. 0.88 miles

20: Turn RIGHT onto N BRYAN BELT LINE RD. 0.24 miles

21: Turn RIGHT onto E MAIN ST/ TX-352 W. 0.09 miles

Total Estimated Time: Total Distance: 1312.32 miles
21 hours, 20 minutes

[LincMercLover]

You used Mapquest... :D

[MAD-3R]

Well, yeah. They've never steered me wrong.

[DavidB]

Since you're staying in Mesquite...the L-M dealer there still has 5 300a's, and one silver 300b baking in the lot. :)

TTYL
David

[Racerx88]

MAD-3R, just FYI, but that Marriot is no where near 30 minutes away from the track. More like at least an hour away.

If you can't find anything in Ennis, you might try Waxahachie. It's just west of Ennis on Hwy 287 (west of the track).

[MAD-3R]

The Room is booked and Paidfor, not by us. Was a gift.So, I'll have a nice cruise over. :)

[Bigdogjim]

Mad-3R: Too early to tell yet. I really don't know how many are driving from the Northeast?? I know nomad is kooking to hook-up with me.(He is in Liverpool, NY) I have talked to Sarge and TAF about hooking-up near Memphis or Little Rock. So far I got MMpridejoy & Martyo? We are staying in Ennis (Marauderville, Tx.)

Will keep in touch.

Big Dog

[SergntMac]

Just guessing here, but it looks like Memphis may be a good spot for you and Natasha to grab some shut eye, and we can use your overnight stop to rendevous? Again, just an early guess on this, BigDog's got my vote as the wrangler for the hook up.

Right now, I'm planning on leaving Chicago 3 AM or so on the 17th, and making my bed in Ennis that night. Memphis would be a spot to take a break, get some chow and get on with it.

Chicago to Memphis=530 miles, 9 hr. driving
Memphis to Ennis=485 miles, 8 hr. driving

Anyone from the Chicagoland area care to hook up with me? if so, drop me an e-mail at SergntMac@aol.com

[MAD-3R]

I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row now, and let all know of my plans. If they guys from the Northern Marches can give me an ETA WAG at when they would be in or around the Front Royal area, that is where we would be hitting I 81.

Memphis is a good place to stop on the way down.

[FordNut]

MAD,
A heads up on possible delays along the route, there is an on-going highway construction project in Knoxville TN (I-40/I-75) that will be going on for a couple of more years, so try and time your trip through there to miss rush hour traffic. It's too far in the future to tell what lane closures to expect in Sept, but I'll try and update closer to then.

[MAD-3R]

Thanks for the heads up.

[cyclone03]

Hey Dallas guys, have they finished up the highway construction around the S.E. side of Dallas?

Of course we do have tell Sept. so road conditions will surely change.
But truth is a little trafic will not put a damper on this weekend for me.

[CRUZTAKER]

I was hoping to hookup with BigDog and his crew in Memphis on the eve of our first day on the road. I still assume that will be wednesday night on the 17th. Correct? Assuming we roll into Ennis thursday afternoon on the 18th. Mad1 and I have already exchanged cell phone numbers, as he is leaving from Tennessee. We haven't quite got our times down yet, as I intend to bed down in or near the west outer loop of Memphis, and meet Mad1 the morning of the 18th for the remaining drive.

That is assuming Memphis is the first stop point for the east coasters. It's a long haul for them. 687 mi. for me, over 1000 for them.

BigDog, keep us in the loop. Mad1 and I are the only so far from Ohio and Tennesse.

[Scott]

My being in Dallas during that time of year is practically nil to none. Even with that I would be happy to help in any way I could. Was at Ennis last fall for my first NHRA race and was amazed (floored). Rooms in Arlington with 287 South to the track is also an alternative. Not as close but, not that bad time wise.

[Bigdogjim]

Originally posted by CRUZTAKER

BigDog, keep us in the loop. Mad1 and I are the only so far from Ohio and Tennesse. [/B]

Ok! your in the loop. Its too early to plan 100%. I need to see who's in? I got nomad driving from Liverpool, NY. Looking to hook-up with him some where near Winchester, Va.? If everone would in the east would speak up it would help. I think Marty is flying? Have not heard from MMpridenjoy??Anyone else???
Don't worry guys after 20+ of running cross counrty this is a walk in the park.

Sarge Memphis sounds good.

Now Todd how many and where??

See it's falling in place already:P

[martyo]

Yep, I am flying. With airport security and all, you guys should make it there in less time than me! Godspeed....

[Marauderman]

FYI -
Me and Mrs. marauderman are gonna leave earily in am from Charlotte, NC and hope to hook up with Todd in ALt on I-20 West as he starts to leave......don't have clue what time we'll meet yet for our hook-up....

[SergntMac]

Memphis...

Y'all should know that I really like this hookm up.

Memphis seems to be the "hub" we all need to plan for. But, rather than plan any arrival time to Memphis, let's plan a departure time?

From Memphis to Ennis is 482 miles, 8 Hrs. or so driving time, should be less with us MM "drivers" behind the wheel, eh? If everyone from the North and East of Memphis could meet in Memphis and drive to Ennis together...What a sight this would be...And for hundreds of miles, eh?

Marty...Can you fly into Memphis? I would love to split this drive with you.

Just a thought y'all...

Feedback y'all...The calendar is chasing us, eh?

[Bigdogjim]

Memphis works for me. I'll plot a route and have the northeast boys there.

It would be a sight to behold seeing all those big Merc's blasting down the highway.

How about the Atlanta gang??

[TAF]

Memphis is going to be out of my way to the tune of about 350 miles....We'll have to hookup with you guys down the road...Shreveport? somethin like that...

That is....unless I SELL THIS HOUSE and I'm in Nashville by then....THEN...it's right on the way.

[martyo]

Originally posted by SergntMac
Marty...Can you fly into Memphis? I would love to split this drive with you.

Sounds tasty! I will call you.

[Bigdogjim]

Originally posted by TAF
Memphis is going to be out of my way to the tune of about 350 miles....We'll have to hookup with you guys down the road...Shreveport? somethin like that...

That is....unless I SELL THIS HOUSE and I'm in Nashville by then....THEN...it's right on the way.

Ok! sell the place and move :P Sounds good to me:D

Better to in the loop, on the route:)

[MAD-3R]

Memphis sounds good. Do we need to find a cracker barrel? :lol:

[SergntMac]

Okay...This is just a suggestion, let's see what happens.

It's been my experience when traveling, that Red Roof Inns are the best bang for the buck. I've found them to be well maintained, and in good locations. So, I went to the home page and poked around, and found a Red Roof Inn at the junction of I-55 and I-40. Since I'll be coming down I-55, and we're all heading out I-40, this works for me. Technically, this is West Memphis AR, not Memphis, TN, but they are just across the river from each other. I think it's 14 miles from the airport, have to check that out again. Need more 411? Check the Red Roof site.

http://www.redroof.com/reservations/inn_details.asp?innNumber=553

[Bigdogjim]

Originally posted by MAD-3R
Memphis sounds good. Do we need to find a cracker barrel? :lol:

Lets find a Hooters! Its party time:D :confused:

[MAD-3R]

Does H(.Y.)ters serve breakfast?

[jgc61sr2002]

MAD-3R - No on the breakfast, but you'll like what they have.

[Bigdogjim]

Originally posted by MAD-3R
Does H(.Y.)ters serve breakfast?


Cold Beer :beer: and HOT wings :lol: :lol:

[Marauderman]

It's definitelt time to break out the road atlas and see just where these "hook'ums" are located...hummmmmm