Contemplating this trip. Checked out Mapquest which has given me driving instructions that route me through (believe it or not) BUFFALO! There has got to be a better way. Any ideas?

Going on I-90/Masspike/NYThruway is the "easiest" route, as it's flatter, with the least traffic. If you don't want to pay toll, and must have the shortest route, you can cut down to I-84 to Scranton, then I-81 and then I-80. However, traffic on I-84 through CT (including Hartford, Watertown, etc) is always much worse than the Masspike, and I-80 cross PA has many more trucks, hills, and construction than NY Thruway.

Another tip is that after Louisville, you should consider taking Ford and Carroll Parkways through Eastern Kentucky, then US 51 in TN down to Memphis. While you need to stop at a few lights in TN, there's virtually zero traffic in KY. In contrast, I-65/40 is choked with trucks, and you need to go through or around Nashville.

I drove from RI to TX last year, and this is the route I'd recommend you:

Masspike, NY Thruway, I-90, I-271 (around Cleveland), I-71, I-65, Ford Pkwy, I-24, Carroll Pkwy, US 51.

Mapquest has chosen for you to go west, then southwest, rather than going south then west. You can't just go diagonally, southwesterly, because there are no direct highways -- the Appalachians are in the way. Mapquest usually chooses major highways over unidivided or 4-lanes.

Try doing Mapquest in 2 sections, using an eastern city as a midpoint, perhaps Washington DC or RaleighNC.

I drove that route 14 years ago and I remember looking at a map and going the most direct route. If I remember correctly, we went the Mass Pike to Rt. 84 through CT, into Penn and picked up Route 81 through MD, WV, and VA into Knoxville, TN, then picked up Route 40 through Nashville to Memphis. Check mappoint.com, or AAA or freetrip.com or just get a map. It was a great trip, enjoy!

I-40/81 is full of truck traffic, and on I-81 in Virginia, you may have trouble finding motels with room in the summer time. Hills after hills, it's just nasty if you're not used to them.

I was a truck driver for 3 years, so I can tell you that the Northern route is the preferred way to go.

Wow- thanks for the quick responses. Not sure we will actually do this trip - its a long story. Flying sounds very appealing right now.

Mapquest say 24 hours - does this sound right?

Mapquest say 20 hours & change, ~1370 miles. That's about right, as speed limit is 65 most of your way. Easily doable with a motel stay somewhere for a night. Driving straight would be tough, and downright dangerous if you're doing it solo.

Taking I-81/40 will save you about 60 miles, but travel time will be about the same, with higher stress.

rkkwan - Thanks again for your very helpful info.