Good day, Long Haulers.
We ride, don't trailer. We do between 500 and 600 miles / day. We have a limited budget.
Our normal trips are between 15-20 days. We have done the west coast from the 49th to the Mexican border, all the western states up to and including Colorado.
This information is only to "set the stage".....

Now for your assistance. We are in the early stages of trip planning for a mid eastern American trip. Generally; ride into northern Kentucky, east to West Virginia, south to Georgia, west through Alabama and Mississippi and then back to the West Coast.

I know my time frames for getting there (Kentucky) and back to the West Coast from Mississippi. The questions/advice that I need relates to the travel "in between".

Best time of year - late spring or mid summer, time allowances for sightseeing some not all, daily travel costs for that part of the country ($250.00?) and any other tips that you LONG HAULERS can provide.

We did a trip of a "lifetime" 2 years ago - 19 days travelling through Colorado and I spent 2 years planning that route.

Fortunately; I have just enough time to ride another "trip of a lifetime" but unfortunately do not have the time to thoroughly plan it out - that's where your help becomes GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Ride In Peace.....

 

You should do the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline drive about 600 miles total
Very ggo take
Leo

 

Natchez Trace Highway, Cherahola Skyway, Pig Trail, US Route 250 from Staunton to Elkins, Tail of the Dragon, Ohio Route 555, US Route 6 across the north of Pennsylvania, and on and on and on. Far too many to give credit to all. You are only one wrong turn away from your greatest adventure. You really don't have to look too hard to find beauty where ever you find yourself. $250.00 per day seems more than enough for expenses. Motor safely.

 

When you say "we", does that mean you're riding double or that you are riding with a group?

For a coupe riding double a $250.00 per day budget is very doable, tkaing into accont the cost of comfortable lodging, fuel and three meals a day.

If you're able to share lodging costs that makes it even better.

While Spring is a great time of the year to experience the Sky Line Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway (for the flowers and aroma) it's also a bad time for rain. I prefer July and August for touring in those areas.

Quite frankly, after riding there and doing the Tail-of-the-Dragon, the Natchez Trace gets boring very quickly unless you're into Civil War history.
IHO, the southern part of the "Trace" has the better scenery.

 

I would say that Spring would be your best time. You still get to enjoy the cooler weather and I have always noticed that the Summer brings daily afternoon thunderstorms as it get hotter. All of the roads mentioned are extraordinary and Springtime would allow you ride them without all the "speed demons" running you over. Have you plotted a course on the ride planner or Google Maps?

 

We means 2Up pulling a "pull behind trailer"..... '06 FLHTCUSE..... travel by ourselves...
Early spring can't be done - have to cross mountain passes to get there....
Would like to get a "taste" of the civil war history but not over indulge.....

Great advice so far.... hoping for more....
Ride In Peace

 

I just moved out of the south after living there for more then 20 years...here's my observations:

Late spring in the deep south means tornado season. GA & AL have a mini-tornado alley and needs to be watched closely. For some reason, tornados like to pop up well after dark making them difficult to see.

Summer means very high humdity, heat, and frequent t-storms. It's not at all unusual to have heat indexes well over 100 for many days so plan your mileage accordingly.

Traffic just about anywhere east of the Mississippi can be a pain.

Springfield, IL has many Lincoln-related sites including his tomb at Oak Ridge if you're into that kind of history.

Ky & Tn has their Bourbon Trail, Civil War battlefields and some nice back roads...just stay away from medium to large cities and tourist spots and you should be OK.

Southern AL & MS differ greatly both geographically and culturally from their northern regions. Decide which is most appealing and enjoy the ride through some old and historic little towns.

Most small southern towns "earn" a significant amount of their yearly operating budget ticketing speeders...beware!

Hope that gets you started!

 

I suggest that you visit the Belle Meade plantation in Nashville. Take the tour and you'll get some history of the civil war years.
We were there last month and thought it was great.

 

Stop in Vicksburg, Miss. for a little civil war history. They have a casino if that is your thing. A little of the Natchez Trace Parkway is plenty.

 

Most of what I'm going to offer is a rehash of what's already been said here. However, I'd like to offer a more specific route that includes the roads already mentioned. Personally, I think early to mid-May is a good time to do this ride.

Someone already mentioned picking up Skyline Drive in VA and riding it down to the BRP (105 miles). The BRP will take you from near Charlottesville, VA to Cherokee, NC (469 miles). The speed limit on the BRP is 45 MPH and there are a few spots that are patrolled. It will take you at least two days to ride both.

From Cherokee, take Hwy. 19/74 south to Hwy 28 North (Hellbender 28). This will take you past Fontana Dam (a mile or so off of 28) and on to Hwy 129 at Deal's Gap. Stop at the store at Deal's Gap for Tail of the Dragon souvenirs.

The Tail of the Dragon (Hwy. 129) starts at the Tennessee line. At the other end of the Dragon pick up Hwy. 72 to Hwy. 411 South. Take 411 South to Vonore and get on Hwy. 360. This will take you to Tellico Plains and the start of the Cherohala Skyway (Hwy 165 in TN, Hwy 143 in NC).

Ride the Cherohala Skyway back to Robbinsville, NC. The Microtel in Robbinsville is a good place to stay. It's cheap, has motorcycle parking in front of the motel, and towels to wipe down your bike. Don't know if it matters to you but Robbinsville is dry (no alcohol sales). It takes a full day to do the Hellbender 28, TOD, Cherohala Skyway loop.

Take Hwy. 129 back out to Hwy. 19/74 South to Murphy and the Hwy 64 West through Ocoee into Tennessee. Hwy 64 west will eventually get you to I-75 just north of Chattanooga.

Chattanooga is a pretty cool place and there are some great rides around the area. Check out this web site:

www.bikersdozen.com

Check out some of the rides south of Chattanooga that go into north Georgia and Alabama. You might find something there that interests you.

Hope this helps.