We are planning a trip to Washington, DC from the Panhandle of Texas. The direct route takes us on I-40 through Nashville. We are wanting to veer south and go to the northeast corner of Alabama, northwest corner of Georgia to do a little genealogy search of that area. Our question is: Is the road from Memphis, Hwy. 72, across to Huntsville, AL and over toward Chattanooga that much worse than going toward Nashville, cutting down a bit and over towards Murfreesboro and down I-24? It shows it to be shorter by take a longer time, probable due to the scenery and hills. We don't mind the sight seeing but don't want it to be really much harder to pull a trailer through. Thanks for any input!

Depends much on how you like to drive. Interstate for speed and trafic, 72 for easy drive. 72 is a good road, but goes through a lot of towns and stoplights.

Johno02 wrote:Depends much on how you like to drive. Interstate for speed and trafic, 72 for easy drive. 72 is a good road, but goes through a lot of towns and stoplights.And that's why it takes longer - has nothing to do with scenery or hills. The mapping programs do not know what you are driving and assume you are driving the speed limit, be it a beautiful drive or straight uphill.

Hwy 64 across Tennessee is not bad and a lot of it is 4 lane. Also if you are gonna come this way you might as well stop and visit Jack Daniels in Lynchburg.

Thanks! sounds like the hwy 72 highway would be a good route. Yes, we have been to Jack Daniels. The day we were there was a Sunday. No samples! LOL

Just be sure and take US-72A thru Decatur AL, and I-565 thru Huntsville AL. Most all of US-72/72A thru Alabama is 4-lane divided with a 65mph speed limit.

Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia routes | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

peaches_cream
Explorer
Dec 24, 2013
A great state park in NW. Ga. is http://www.gastateparks.org/CloudlandCanyon
It is right on hwy. 136 on top of Lookout Mtn. Easy drive to Chattanooga along with Rock City and Ruby Falls. You will enjoy your trip.
rrguess
Explorer
Dec 24, 2013
Oh, thank you! We do not leave here until mid March so I am takin fall suggestions and making a list.
Steelhog
Explorer
Dec 24, 2013
Just read the original post date so you may have already made the trek but watch your speed through Town Creek, AL. Speed trap. The Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is a great stop for any space nut and the campground is pretty affordable. The Country Music Hall of Fame in Muscle Shoals has re-opened and is pretty good for its size. Lots of big names recorded in the Shoals and the Swampers were some of the best session musicians of theie time and loads of big names came to this small southern town for "the sound". Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers, The Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon all recorded at either the Fame or Shoals studios.
jmckelvy
Explorer
Dec 07, 2013
jaycocamprs wrote:
Just be sure and take US-72A thru Decatur AL, and I-565 thru Huntsville AL. Most all of US-72/72A thru Alabama is 4-lane divided with a 65mph speed limit.

X2! The road is almost all excellent 4 lane from Memphis through Decatur, Huntsville and Scottsboro to I24 in Tennessee , except for a short section of good 2 lane near the TN and MS state line. The only area with many traffic lights between Memphis and Florence AL is in Corinth, MS even that is not bad.

If you come through Memphis be sure to take 385 from I240 to 72. You will regret driving through the Germantown area.
AlabamaTraveler
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
We have a great stste park in northeast Alabama. Check out Desoto State Park in the Ft Payne area. Sites have concrete pads, full hookups and cable TV.
rrguess
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
Thank you, thank you! Just the information I was hoping for.
KA4EBU
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Your 72 route is our choice. Nice drive.
jaycocamprs
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Just be sure and take US-72A thru Decatur AL, and I-565 thru Huntsville AL. Most all of US-72/72A thru Alabama is 4-lane divided with a 65mph speed limit.
rrguess
Explorer
Dec 04, 2013
Thanks! sounds like the hwy 72 highway would be a good route.

Yes, we have been to Jack Daniels. The day we were there was a Sunday. No samples! LOL
TPUC
Explorer
Dec 04, 2013
Hwy 64 across Tennessee is not bad and a lot of it is 4 lane. Also if you are gonna come this way you might as well stop and visit Jack Daniels in Lynchburg.