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Airstruck · 01-31-2015, 01:04 AM

Hello!
We are in the planning stages of a road trip from Albuquerque NM to Atlanta Georgia around the 4th of July.

Any advise about route and campsites would be appreciated.

Thanks

Jarrod White · 01-31-2015, 05:58 AM

If you're looking for a place to stay in Atlanta, I recommend Stone Mountain. Are you taking I-10 over and then 65/85 up? If so, I can recommend some other places in the Mississippi and Alabama portions.

StreamNTyme · 01-31-2015, 06:02 AM

Don't take I 20, most boring road on earth. All the truckers use that route and we saw a 3 semi accident that backed up the highway for miles..luckily we were going the other way.
I agree, take I 10
Have a safe trip

karenjude · 01-31-2015, 07:54 AM

if you'll be coming up 85 to Atlanta I recommend FDR State Park in
Pine Mountain, GA. It's about 1 1/2 south of Atlanta so you probably wouldn't want to make it your Atlanta base but it's a great campground and area. Lots to do around there; hiking, cute town, Callaway Gardens, FDRs Little Whitehouse.

Airstruck · 01-31-2015, 10:25 PM

Which would be better on July 4th weekend? Red Top Mountain or Stone Mountain or even somewhere else. Attending a convention in Atlanta. Will book a room near the convention for one night and will leave our Airstream at the campground. We want to stay at the campground for a week at least while we explore the area.

Thanks!

RamblinManGa · 02-01-2015, 12:22 AM

Hi from AZ. . . we have done PHX to ATL via ABQ 5 or 6 times in the past 3 years. We do I-40 Memphis, I-22 (aka US78) to B'ham, I-20 E to AtL . The construction in AR is the only problems encountered lately. And I now know how to miss that. . .Don't really know why anybody would go down to I-20 or I-10 from ABQ. Can give you great places to stop & eat if you (like us) don't do chain or fast food

. p.s. Stone MT park is as nice as it gets in the vicinity of ATL. Regards, Craig

klattu · 02-01-2015, 05:38 AM

I agree with I-40 and I-22 is 99% completed.
The app WAZE can really hel with construction routing and other recently spotted proplems like cops.

klattu · 02-01-2015, 05:39 AM

And Stone Mountain is a great campground with many levels of features/price

Msmoto · 02-01-2015, 06:27 AM

If one travels I-40 to Memphis, the side trips are great. I like all the Route 66 stuff easily accessible from, I-40 until about OKC. Like Tucumcari:

Route_66_07.28.14-3 by Fantinesvoice.com, on Flickr

Also, Memphis has lots to offer.

I am one who has no issue with Interstates....having driven across the US about twenty times, even towing a couple times. One note on I-10, eastbound, fine, although I think it is the roughest road in the country. Westbound, the prevailing winds will drop fuel mileage about 30% as they come off the Gulf of Mexico...into one's face.

I-20 has big truck stops where I like to stay as I think the security is highest. Research the rest stops in some areas as they cannot handle an RV and once in, difficult in some cases to get out of headed the correct direction.

A more northern route...through Carthage, MO, and you can see:

Route 66 Drive-In, Carthage, MO by Fantinesvoice.com, on Flickr

Also, the Big Red Barn RV Big Red Barn RV Park – Carthage, Missouri, near Carthage is a friendly place to stop.

That's my opinion, enjoy.

Jarrod White · 02-01-2015, 06:35 AM

I was at stone mountain last year the weekend before the 4th. Campground was almost completely full (and it is big - 600 + sites) but it didn't feel too crowded because plenty of trees and park itself is so big. The pool on the other hand was at capacity. My kids enjoyed the attractions.
If you go the i-40 route, oak mountain state park near Birmingham is nice and cheaha state park near Anniston are both nice stops. I agree with pine mountain if you're coming up I-85.

karenjude · 02-01-2015, 08:28 AM

Personally, I like Red Top better than Stone Mountain. It has a more natural, quiet and peaceful feel and there is a lake for swimming and kayaking and some hiking trails. Very wooded. There is more going on at Stone Mountain though if you have a family - although many of the attractions are pretty pricy.

Do you have a sense re what you'd like to do/see while in the Atlanta area? That might help you decide as they're both on different sides of the city and traffic is an issue in Atlanta.

Airstruck · 02-02-2015, 12:40 AM

We are just the two of us, adults. I know Red Top is a little further out that Stone Mountain, but I too like the idea of a more natural setting. In Atlanta, my husband will attend a convention at the convention center. I may go with him or stay at Red Top depending on how I feel at the time. Any clues on what would be good to see and do in Atlanta would be appreciated. Thanks.

Skatiero · 02-02-2015, 04:43 AM

I like Red Top better, too. I also love the Corp of Engineers campgrounds around Lake Alatoona, like McKinney.

karenjude · 02-02-2015, 08:53 AM

Check out Marietta Square if you stay at Red Top or McKinney. Lots of history there, museums, Kennesaw National Battlefield Park is right by there, shops and restaurants etc. there may be concerts going on in the square for July 4 th weekend. They have bluegrass Jams on the square either Tuesday or Thursday nights that we always like to go to if we're around. I know if you do an Internet search you'll get all sorts of info on Marietta square activities. If you're bikers ride the Silver Comet Trail (they rent bikes there too) beautiful, wooded (relatively flat) trail that is one of my favorites.

nilesrob · 02-02-2015, 10:19 AM

Personally, I would choose Red Top (or Army Corps), because of its' natural setting and all. But the 4th of July will be a busy weekend I expect, so you may want to make a decision and get a spot wherever you choose.

Also, you have the town of Woodstock near you (at Red Top) and they always have stuff going on that weekend - kind of a cute little town/square. Also second Marietta Square - some great history and awesome restaurants, and you don't need to lose an arm to eat there. A lot of places have outside seating so assuming the weather is accommodating that makes it even nicer.

And if either of you are runners the Peachtree Road Race (10K) is held in ATL on the morning of the 4th. This is a great event, although a (nice) zoo because there are 55,000 runners. You need a bib, so check out online in Feb/Mar.

And on the 4th of July in ATL, if you are looking for fireworks, you may only need to stick your head out of your trailer.

StreamNTyme · 02-02-2015, 12:08 PM

Atlanta is a great city...tons of stuff to do, CNN, Coca Cola, Gone w the Wind home and museum, lots of history, lots of shopping, everything is named Peachtree so you do have to get your bearings, antique shops, and enough restaurants to last you years of eating out. Great farmers mkt too. Look on line for the schedule of upcoming events for Atlanta and surrounding areas.