I-75 South with a by-pass of the hills in Tenesee

[dedbird]

I'm going to Florida in January from Ontario and we would like to go further west of I-75 once we get to Kentucky/Tennessee.

I would rather not drive through the mountains and think that if I go west the ground will flatten out and then I would like to return to I-75 in Georgia at some point.

Just wonder if anyone has made the trek that way.

Time is not important.

[BillMFl]

Parrothead Mike wrote:
If you're taking I-75 through Ohio just split off on I-71 southwesterly from the Cincinnati area toward Louisville, KY. Then take I-65 south to Nashville where you can take I-24 back toward Atlanta and I-75.

Another option, the route we take, is to follow I-65 south from Nashville to Montgomery, AL and then US231 down to I-10. Depending upon where you're heading in Florida you can head further east to I-10 or take US19 south along the Gulf Coast of Florida. When taking US19 you can always hook back up with I-75 by catching US98 through Brooksville, FL. It's all 4-lane (US231 and US19), but US98 is 2-lane without much traffic. This is a pretty flat route to Florida.

I like this route south from Nashville. I also avoid 98 unless I am dropping down from I10 to a specific location. 19 along the west coast is a very pleasant drive. Few trucks and light traffic.

[63-Coupe]

I have done the I-75 route from Detroit to Florida several times towing a 30' TT. Usually southbound in January and northbound in March. A couple of days ago I came back from Florida via 95/77/79/90 through Buffalo. Since I was not towing I wanted to see what the route was like. It was OK but seemed to be a lot more 2 lane rather than 3 lane and the elevations are a lot higher so I think there would be less chance of bad weather on 75.I will definitely go back to I-75 for towing after that trip.

Based on where you live I would be more concerned about blowing snow on the 400 (You will know where), the 401 between London and Chatham, and that open stretch of I-75 in Ohio. The biggest hill at Jellicoe Tennessee is only about 15 miles and is no steeper than climbing out of the Holland Marsh on the 400.

Just take a deep breath, relax, and watch the weather forecasts.

[ADAD437]

coolmom42 wrote:

camperforlife wrote:
The only long grade is at Jellico Tennessee right at the KY-TN border. Even then it is three lanes with the far right being a truck lane that 45 MPH is common. I would not be afraid of that area, just get in the right lane and drive at a speed that you are comfortable with, you won't be alone.

This.

Why are you concerned about I-75? Did you have problems on it in the past?

I-65 through TN has fewer grades, and is very flat through Alabama. Also very boring.

don't know what you heard about I-75 but all this other stuff is a lot of wasted gas and miles. Jellico is the only HILL and it is no problem been over it hundreds of times in semi and lots in rv. hit atlanta mid day and go straight thru.

[coolmom42]

camperforlife wrote:
The only long grade is at Jellico Tennessee right at the KY-TN border. Even then it is three lanes with the far right being a truck lane that 45 MPH is common. I would not be afraid of that area, just get in the right lane and drive at a speed that you are comfortable with, you won't be alone.

This.

Why are you concerned about I-75? Did you have problems on it in the past?

I-65 through TN has fewer grades, and is very flat through Alabama. Also very boring.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

what Parrothead Mike said. US231 to US 19.

[journey_indiana]

To avoid a lot of traffic and "large hills", I would take I-69 from Port Huron down to Indianapolis. Go around Indianapolis on I-465 to I-65 south. Follow I-65 to Montgomery, Al. From there take US 231 to I-10. You can then go east to one of the roads heading south to your destination. About all of them are VERY flat and some of them are 4-lane.
Good Luck,
Journey Indiana

[rbtglove]

Just my opinion - We have used I 75 from Dayton to Florida many times over the years both with MH and TT and unless you really have a hard time on the grades you will just be adding miles to your trip. We go right through Atlanta staying in the middle lanes.

[Bird_Freak]

Tripalot wrote:

Parrothead Mike wrote:
If you're taking I-75 through Ohio just split off on I-71 southwesterly from the Cincinnati area toward Louisville, KY. Then take I-65 south to Nashville where you can take I-24 back toward Atlanta and I-75.

Another option, the route we take, is to follow I-65 south from Nashville to Montgomery, AL and then US231 down to I-10. Depending upon where you're heading in Florida you can head further east to I-10 or take US19 south along the Gulf Coast of Florida. When taking US19 you can always hook back up with I-75 by catching US98 through Brooksville, FL. It's all 4-lane (US231 and US19), but US98 is 2-lane without much traffic. This is a pretty flat route to Florida.

We have used this route a couple of times. We stick to I-65 through Nashville and pick up US231. You have to make a couple of turns in Montgomery, but just follow the signs - no big deal.

MontEagle on I24 is bigger than anything I remember on I75. I 75 is nothing.

[Tripalot]

Parrothead Mike wrote:
If you're taking I-75 through Ohio just split off on I-71 southwesterly from the Cincinnati area toward Louisville, KY. Then take I-65 south to Nashville where you can take I-24 back toward Atlanta and I-75.

Another option, the route we take, is to follow I-65 south from Nashville to Montgomery, AL and then US231 down to I-10. Depending upon where you're heading in Florida you can head further east to I-10 or take US19 south along the Gulf Coast of Florida. When taking US19 you can always hook back up with I-75 by catching US98 through Brooksville, FL. It's all 4-lane (US231 and US19), but US98 is 2-lane without much traffic. This is a pretty flat route to Florida.

We have used this route a couple of times. We stick to I-65 through Nashville and pick up US231. You have to make a couple of turns in Montgomery, but just follow the signs - no big deal.

[rvten]

No mountains in TN. Just big speed bumps. I see no problem in any route here in TN.

[valhalla360]

As others have said, work your way over toward the Mississippi River and long grades will be eliminated (you do get some short up and down hilly areas though)

Are you drastically underpowered or something? The I-75 route isn't extreme and if you have reason to be scared about that, I would be scared to make a 1500 mile trip.

It's a lot of extra miles just to avoid a short section of roadway.

[is_it_friday_ye]

I would hardly call those mountains, large hills sure. I've driven that several times pulling a trailer and it wasn't a problem at all. Just take your time and fall in behind the semi trucks going up if you want. I've driven I-77 once going north in a snowstorm pulling a trailer though and it wasn't fun. A lot of hills and some tunnels.

[camperforlife]

The only long grade is at Jellico Tennessee right at the KY-TN border. Even then it is three lanes with the far right being a truck lane that 45 MPH is common. I would not be afraid of that area, just get in the right lane and drive at a speed that you are comfortable with, you won't be alone.

[agesilaus]

If you go the US 98 route I advise you not to get off of I-10 until after you are east of the Destin area. Terrible traffic around there.