Natchez Trace - OK to miss the first few miles at north end?

Don't forget to stop at the SWAMP just north of Jackson Miss. and right on the trace. I would highly recommend this stop.

We also liked Tupelo as someone else mentions an interesting stop we enjoyed.

As for your original question we did the whole thing last May and if you miss the first few miles well then you can't say you did the WHOLE thing! Other then that not a big deal.

At about the 335 mile marker, 10 miles North of the TN River, about 1/8 mile on the East side of the Trace, there is a rock wall tribute to an Indian girl who walked all the way back from an Okla reservation by herself at the age of 14. It's free and worth seeing.

TenOC wrote:

rv2go wrote:
I think you will miss this.

Depending of the time of day you may have problems parking at Lovelace, but I think (I am not sure) there is a gas station near by that you can park at any way. No (?) gas on the Trace.

Drive slow, the park service enforces the speed limit. You will need to get off the Trace at one of the nearby town to get gas.

The Lovelace Restraunt has a new large gravel parking area adjacent to their original parking area. It is behind the gas station. It could fill up too but I have never experienced it being full. As stated you do need a full tank of fuel when you get on the Trace.

The short answer is NO.

Yes, you will miss the double arch bridge, but you really can't even see that unless you stop and get out.

We have run the entire 444 Thrice and done partials several times. While there an historic marker about every other mile, (yes 220 in 444 miles), you really need to have the book.

ISBN: 978-0-89732-925-5
The book will be backwards as Mile 0 is at the south end.

Relax and enjoy the ride. Either download and print or pick up a copy of the map as soon as you can.

Matt

I often drive from Murfreesboro to west of Nashville.

1. Nashville traffic is bad during rush hour. Otherwise, (non rush hour) it is not very bad -- 65 is normal. I (most of the time) go I-24 and I-40. A few time I take the I-440 by-pass, but not often. 1 hour trip

2. During rush hour I take TN 840 - to be I-840 someday. 1+ hour trip

3. I NEVER take TN 96 !!!!!!!!! 2 hour trip

In summary do not be afraid of Nashville traffic unless you are driving during rush hour.

rv2go wrote:
I think you will miss this.

1. 96 from Murfreesboro is narrow and winding. Traffic on 96 in Franklin is VERY busy -- much worse than Nashville and narrow city streets. Allow one half an hour (non rush hour) and 3 times that at rush hour. Be sure to take the truck route. A better suggestion (depending on where in KY you are) is from I-65 take Briley Parkway - State Route 155 (I65 exit 90) West to I-40. It is interstate quality. Very little traffic and it by passes the Nashville traffic. I40 exit 192 McCrory Lane will then take you to the start of the Trace and Lovelace Cafe. Depending of the time of day you may have problems parking at Lovelace, but I think (I am not sure) there is a gas station near by that you can park at any way. No (?) gas on the Trace.

OR

2. If you Stay on 96, this bridge is over 96. You can get on the Trace at the bridge. That way you see the bridge from the bottom (96) and the top (Trace). I think this was your plan in your original posting.

Drive slow, the park service enforces the speed limit. You will need to get off the Trace at one of the nearby town to get gas.

alazero wrote:
If you don't do the Northern Terminus. You miss the largest Span bridge on the Trace. Also at close to the northern terminus is Loveless Cafe. Home of the 6,000 bisquits a day. Breakfast stop of the Nashville Stars.

Eating at the Loveless Cafe is worth the extra travel time. We always stop there. Great food with a large parking lot behind the gas station. Easy in and out.

I think you will miss this.

If you don't do the Northern Terminus. You miss the largest Span bridge on the Trace. Also at close to the northern terminus is Loveless Cafe. Home of the 6,000 bisquits a day. Breakfast stop of the Nashville Stars.

Those last (or first?) several miles have the tightest turns. As darsben said, you'll just miss a little of the same kind of scenery you'd see on the rest of the Trace.