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nickcrowhurst · 11-23-2006, 07:52 PM

On Monday we're heading south from Minneapolis to near Gainsville, North Florida, to be reunited with our Airstream. I'm looking for the quickest route, and expect to take three days over the 1500 mile trip. (No trailer, just the truck). I've checked Mapquest and MapPoint. They agree on most of the route to Nashville, but differ on whether to use I75 or I65 on the last day. Do you kind folks have any advice for me? Thanks.
Nick.

**moosetags** · 11-23-2006, 08:21 PM

I would suggest staying away from I-65; It ends up in Mobile and its cut-offs to Florida are not that great unless you're heading to the Panhandle. Go from Nashville to Chattanooga and catch I-75 to Atlanta and directly on to Gainesville. I'm guessing that you're headed to the Airstream dealer in Alachau; it's only about 5 miles off of I-75.

nickcrowhurst · 11-23-2006, 08:31 PM

Thanks, Moosetag, that's very helpful. We keep our trailer near Trenton, west of Gainsville, and that's where we're headed. BTW,Sander's at Alachua, the Airstream dealer you mentioned, is our local source for parts, and the staff are very helpful. Thanks again.
Nick.

cooperhawk · 11-24-2006, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

I would suggest staying away from I-65; It ends up in Mobile and its cut-offs to Florida are not that great unless you're heading to the Panhandle. Go from Nashville to Chattanooga and catch I-75 to Atlanta and directly on to Gainesville.

Having made that trip several times I totally agree. One caveat is to avoid Chicago at all costs. Go around Chiicago to the west. From Rockford we go south on I39 to Bloomington and then I74 to I75. Sometimes though, we take I65 out of Indy and go through Nashville, then I24 to I75. Makes a nice trip out of it.

cooperhawk · 11-24-2006, 08:14 AM

Another nice thing to do is instead of going south on I94, go south on Highway 52 along the Mississippi River. Not as fast but certainly more scenic. You then join I90 at La Crosse and go east to I94. Stop for brakfast at the resturant on the cornor of the first stop light in Lake City. Can't beat it.

bobchevy89 · 11-24-2006, 09:50 AM

Hello Nickcrowhurst, I'd take 75 out of nashville to Fl. if you are going to Trenton take 26 out of Gainesville Fl to trenton...

Bob

nickcrowhurst · 11-24-2006, 01:03 PM

Thanks everyone for all those very helpful suggestions.
Nick.

CanoeStream · 11-29-2006, 03:12 PM

Welcome to Florida, Nick?

GlenCoombe · 11-29-2006, 04:35 PM

Or if you've got time just follow this route... Head east, each time you hit water turn right... continue until you find it warm enough for the winter. This route may take some time but hey you are on vacation right? The interstates are full of folks pulling SOB's in a hurry to get to Floirda right now. Avoid the rush, head east and turn right at the water.

nickcrowhurst · 11-30-2006, 12:42 PM

We're safely in Florida, thanks, Bob, after an easy trip, other than Atlanta with a major accident downtown that diverted us. There seem to be bypasses to the east and west of Atlanta, as well as 75 through the middle. I'm wondering which is the best option of the three when we do the return trip in the spring.
There's always a curved ball waiting for me when I get to the trailer after being away from it for 8 months. This time it was a wasps' nest in the battery box, and water pouring from the bottom of the trailer. I'll post the details in the appropriate repair forum. Here:
http://www.airforums.com/forum...pair-5206.html?
Thanks everyone for helping with the route selection. It was an easy drive.
Nick.

bobchevy89 · 11-30-2006, 01:05 PM

Hi Nick , on the way back take the west way around Atlanta it is shorter. try to go through atlanta between 10 am and 2 pm ..you will avoid most of the rush hr traffic sorry about the delay but that happens all the time there during rush hr.last time I went through Atlanta there wasan accident on all the75 's all fatalitys. 2hr wait.

Bob

nickcrowhurst · 11-30-2006, 01:26 PM

Thanks, Bob. That's what we'll do.
Nick.

JakBluMule · 12-03-2006, 07:44 PM

If you want to avoid Chicago and all their freeway destruction, take I 94 to I-90 to Rockford, I-39 to Bloomington/Normal, I-74 to Cincinnati, and I-75 south.....or you can take I-65 south from Indianapolis to Nashville and I-24 to Chattanooga for 75.

check out www.freetrip.com

unless they've made drastic progress in Chicago since the middle of August, I'd avoid it completely. It took me 3 hours to get less than 10 miles where 94 and 80 merge.

nickcrowhurst · 12-07-2006, 08:18 AM

Jack, thank you. That's the route I took, and it was excellent. Nick.

AlbertF · 12-07-2006, 08:48 AM

We drove straight through Atlanta last February. It was noon on a Monday, and at the slowest point, we we travelling at 45 mph. I would vote for midday, straight through. It seems that the bypasses can get clogged with suburban traffic.

JBK · 12-07-2006, 03:34 PM

O-k, Nick. Tell us why, if you are from the other side of the pond, do you go to MinnieNoPlace before going to Florida? I bet Northworst even flies direct to one of them gater cities from Europe.
Just curious.

JB

Lyle V · 12-07-2006, 03:38 PM

I have driven this route many times as wife is from Western North Dakota & we live in Tennessee. We trailer horses from TN to the Ocala, FL area frequently.

From Minneapolis I 94 Thru Wisconsin to Madison. I90 from there to Rockford, IL. I39 to Bloomington, IL. I74 to Champaign, IL. I57 South to I24 (just S. of Marion, IL). I24 (East) Thru Nashville to Chattanooga, TN. I75 to Gainesville, FL. No muss No fuss just Atlanta. From 10 am to 2 pm right down the middle, but pay attention to traffic radio....use west bypass as an alternate.

Lyle V
Tullahoma, TN
2005 28' Safari SE
2004 Suburban 2500
1999 F250 Powerstroke
2000 Sooner 2 horse Slantload

nickcrowhurst · 12-08-2006, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBK

O-k, Nick. Tell us why, if you are from the other side of the pond, do you go to MinnieNoPlace before going to Florida?

JB, my son has married a Savage girl.

We go to MN to see two of our 6 granddaughters, then go to FL to thaw out, returning to the UK in April to hug our other 4 granddaughters. A complicated world!
Nick.

nickcrowhurst · 03-08-2007, 08:05 AM

Do any of you kind folks have some tips for passing north through Atlanta on a Sunday, in particular the 25th of this month? Straight through, or the bypasses? Any times to avoid? Any big events, like sports events, to avoid? Thanks.
Nick.

GlenCoombe · 03-08-2007, 08:10 AM

At any time other than rush hour I'd head straight through. The outer bypasses can be a mess at any time of the day. I've had good luck with the straight through.
Even if you get into traffic the route is shorter so it will work out anyway.