Summer road trip - where to go?

[conestogo_flood]

I'm planning our summer road trip this year, and I picked out two routes to take on it. Since I haven't been to these areas: exceptions of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, I don't know which route would be best. Maybe some of you could tell me about these areas on the map, and what there might be to do there. Both trips are well over 2,100 miles of driving, but we'll be taking up to two weeks.

Route 1: Red
Route 2: Purple

[CajunMama]

The red route will expose you to some fun cultures. You'd also be able to see the gom and also rebuilding of the gulf coast.

When are y'all planning to take the road trip? I know during the summer but which month?

[conestogo_flood]

Early August.

[Brent]

Early August.

Watch out for tropical systems... but otherwise, I would defintely head south. Heading west would be pretty boring past Chicago.

[breeze]

Absolutely do the Red Route! You can't miss Memphis - Beale Street,
barbeque, music, and fun! And, your route to the Gulf Coast will be
the most astonishing tour of the South that you will remember for
years to come!

~Annette~

[Jack8631]

I would definately take the red route, but consider not taking I-65 from Birmingham to Mobile. It's a pretty boring stretch of interstate. Instead, perhaps take something a little further east, and spend most of your time on the gulf coast. There's plenty of stuff to do on the Florida gulf coast in August that would fit pretty much anyone's interests.

[therock1811]

Red Route is definitely the way to go. However I do agree with the above suggestion about I-65. Maybe you should go down I-75 instead, then jog west on I-10. The Smokies are something to see, if you haven't been there. I've never been to Memphis or Nashville, so that would be cool.

[senorpepr]

I have to say definately the purple route. I guess I'm bias (just like everyone voting for the red route), but I personally think the purple route is much better.


(For what it's worth, I've been on both routes. ...and despite what Brent says, there ARE things to see past Chicago. )

[Lindaloo]

I agree senor. There is really nothing to see on the Gulf Coast of MS right now. If you want to gamble then you could in cramped hotels. That is where the casinos are operating from these days. The coast to visit is the Florida coast. Beautiful beaches and gorgeous water, especially in Destin.

Montana is beautiful.

[Brent]

I have to say definately the purple route. I guess I'm bias (just like everyone voting for the red route), but I personally think the purple route is much better.


(For what it's worth, I've been on both routes. ...and despite what Brent says, there ARE things to see past Chicago. )

Well I should have said interesting exciting things.

Oh yeah, if you do come south, avoid most of Alabama. There is not much to see here.

I would also take I-75, but go around Atlanta. Traffic is a horrible nightmare almost all the time.

[streetsoldier]

The red route will bring you within a mile of me in SE Missouri on the northbound leg...

I could use the company.

[conestogo_flood]

Lol.

We've already done the I-75 three times before, so we are looking for something different. I'd like to go to Mobile and New Orleans, but I'd also like to go to Oklahoma City.

But that is the problem, I can't think of a thing to do past Chicago. There's got to be a camp ground somewhere, but other than that...

Are there any caves both routes besides the Mammouth Caves? Those were pretty amazing, and we were in Nashville for the Grand Ol' Opry before and a flash flood. We drove to South Dakota once, but I was 7, and it wasn't for a family road trip, it was to visit family.