Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Travel Topics > Road Trips
Reload this Page >

Dec/Jan road trip deep south, 7-10 days

Search

Dec/Jan road trip deep south, 7-10 days

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 22nd, 2016, 06:30 AM
  #21  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,397
Received 79 Likes on 8 Posts
<i>AND they are not only educational, they are historic.</i>

And also free.
Gardyloo is offline  
Old Jan 22nd, 2016, 10:46 PM
  #22  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes we so want to do dc but figured it's best to pair it with New York and do both together In a few years time next trip, in warmer time of year. Blizzards scare us Aussies ��. If we could spare 2 weeks in sept or oct to do ny and dc I have been told that's a great time of year to visit?

If we kept going north fc would make sense but probably at the sacrifice of Nashville and Memphis?

Thanks for the extra ideas and input
I so want to see all from Orlando to Savannah and Charleston across to Asheville smoky mountains and Nashville Memphis and even tacky gatlinburg. If we only have 10-12 days for a road trip after disneyworld I might be pushing my luck!!?
pete71 is offline  
Old Jan 23rd, 2016, 04:44 AM
  #23  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If we only have 10-12 days for a road trip after disneyworld I might be pushing my luck!!?

Nashville and Memphis have to go--it just won't be anything but a drive by from the car windows.
It' already a lot.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Jan 23rd, 2016, 01:03 PM
  #24  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi all . Just conforming dc and ny stand alone trip In a few years time
Does 11-12 days still give long enough to drive Orlando Savannah Charleston Asheville smokey mountain Nashville and Memphis?

It would be good to spend longer on some or all of these places but can't see us wanting to skip any of them! I know it may only be 1-2 nights in some places but can allow 2-3 in others.
pete71 is offline  
Old Jan 23rd, 2016, 04:10 PM
  #25  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
OK, I personally don't find some of those places as interesting as others in the US, and would not enjoy it at all in winter when the trees are bare in the mountains and things look bleak. I have driven all those routes, summer and winter. IMHO, they are pretty in Spring through Fall. Altogether, it is about 19 hours of driving time through landscape that, IMHO, is not that Interesting in winter.

However, it is your trip and if you have your heart set on it, you could do this.
Drive times are approx. Allow extra for rest stops. It will be rushed with one longish driving day.
Day 1, Drive straight from Orlando to Savannah - 4 hrs. 2 nights
Day 2, Savannah
Day 3, drive to Charleston - 2 &1/2 hours. 2 nights
Day 4, Charleston
Day 5, drive to Asheville - 4+ hours. 2 nights
Day 6, Asheville
Day 7, drive to Nashville - 5-6 + hours. 2 nights
Day 8, Nashville
Day 9, drive to Memphis - 3+ hours. 2 nights
Day 10, Memphis
Day 11?
Day 12?
If you have 12 days, think about where you want to add the extra two. Depends on what you wish to see in each place. Maybe pick one as a shopping day.
Sassafrass is offline  
Old Jan 23rd, 2016, 04:28 PM
  #26  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'll bow pretty much to the above. I could shave off a day in Savannah and add to the Charleston drive so you could stop and at least see Beaufort.
If they are leaving FROM Mempphis then this works nicely
They can make a drive through the GSMNP and Gatlinburg
They still need to think about the days and the drive times, IMO
Gretchen is offline  
Old Jan 23rd, 2016, 04:33 PM
  #27  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We would keep ny and dc till another trip

In that case is 11-12 days enough for road trip and short 1-3 night stays from Orlando to
Savannah
Charleston
Asheville
Gatlinburg
Nashville
Memphis

? I know it's not long each place but they all seem too interesting to miss out on?
pete71 is offline  
Old Jan 23rd, 2016, 04:41 PM
  #28  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oops just posted my last thread twice!
Yes it's a lot of driving but imho beats getting in and out of airports esp with kids in tow

Winter- yeah I know re weather but it's when I get holidays . We did like Yosemite in January and snow and ice are novelties to us Aussies
Not sure about a blizzard tho!

We are on the east coast already doing disneyworld and the thought of just flying in to do that then out again without seeing anything else is killing me! A road trip seems fun and Orlando is the starting point I guess

If time and money were no objects would love to do more national parks , Colorado, chicago, New York , Texas , dc etc.

Is there any alternative road trips from Orlando? Relatives did Orlando New Orleans but that was not much to see and a day or two of driving they didn't talk it up much.

Decisions! Thanks for all the honest feedback and local knowledge and tips so far!
pete71 is offline  
Old Jan 23rd, 2016, 04:43 PM
  #29  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,397
Received 79 Likes on 8 Posts
Well, yes, I too feel it's too much. You said above that you're scared of blizzards, and since higher altitude = colder weather, and mountains tend to experience high levels of precipitation (the weather in the US travels from west to east as a rule) I think the odds of the Smoky Mountains having road closures or really poor driving conditions are quite high. Some of the most scenic roads in the national park are closed for winter, full stop; see http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/seasonalroads.htm

The reason I suggested the DC alternative was that if you got to Asheville and the Smoky/Blue Ridge area and it <i>was</i> wintry, you could stick to the foothills and the Carolina Piedmont and have a much, much better chance of drivable weather. What happens if you get to Asheville and the mountains are socked in or snowy? With a tight timetable, which will probably be half used up by then, you'll be in something of a pickle.

I'd also mention that daylight will be very short when you're traveling, so unless you want to drive in the dark (and probably wet or white) - no to that - you'll need to curtail your hours-per-day accordingly.

This is all in the realm of thought experiments, of course, but let me throw out another option - just for your consideration.

Visit Savannah and Charleston, but then fly to Memphis and drive down to New Orleans through the Mississippi Delta, visiting Vicksburg and Natchez en route. There's a fabulous amount of scenery and history along the river, some of the best food in the US, and you won't be battling snowy mountain roads.

The Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge are treasures, but unless you're a real pro at driving in the snow and gloom, winter is not the best time. If you're planning to visit DC and NYC (and don't forget Philly) in the future, hit the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mts. on that trip, as a pleasant respite from subtropical heat (in the summer) or - their best seasons - during the autumn or spring. Now <i>that's</i> a great time to see that part of America.

Meanwhile, it's blues and barbecue and gospel and rock 'n roll. Stop at Abe's BBQ in Clarksdale at the Crossroads of the Blues and have a full rack. Don't sell your soul; you'll need it for NOLA.
Gardyloo is offline  
Old Jan 23rd, 2016, 07:37 PM
  #30  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Right now, we have a huge snow on the East Coast, two and three feet in places. Airports are closed. Businesses and schools are closed. Only idiots or street and emergency workers are driving. This storm has affected a wide area, not just the NE.

Nashville has several inches of snow with lots of accidents and thousands of people without power. Several interstates are closed in some sections.

The mid-west US states are generally flat and have good facilities for dealing with snow. The Asheville to Nashville area has mountains, so roads are more dangerous and they do not have as much equipment for clearing.

I am not telling you not to do a road trip then. In all likelihood, you will probably have perfect, clear weather. It is just better in this case to have a back up plan and you do need to allow time. Plan on two or three days in the city of your departure fight, so if you are stuck somewhere along the way, you can still make it. You need to build in a little wiggle room in case you do lose a day or two somewhere because of winter weather.

Why don't you reverse the trip, fly into Memphis and home from Orlando? That way, if you got stuck somewhere for a day or so, you could skip Asheville or Savannah, still have time for Orlando and fly home from there.

If you fly into Memphis and learn things are really bad through the mountains, you could get tickets for a few days later from New Orleans to Orlando and do Gardyloo's suggested Southern trip, which, BTW, I think is absolutely great!

Reversing it would give you both a back up plan and some insurance of a good trip whatever happens weather wise,
Sassafrass is offline  
Old Jan 24th, 2016, 02:42 AM
  #31  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks all. Yes you have tapped into my paranoia that we get somehow snowbound with No spare days and lots of distance to cover!

If we could do the trip in reverse it does change the dynamics of the trip ie disneyworld not done first but a week or two in. Although I do like the insurance policy aspect as you say , it might put our disneyworld dates at Christmas to New Years which is even more ridiculously busy than the week or two before?

Thought bubble- if we were happy to fly from Orlando to the start of a road trip , what's another itinerary that limits weather exposure but still offers stuff to see and do? Does this open up the possibility of moving further west into safer weather states? We would still have maybe same amount of days 11-12, less maybe a day to get to and fro airport .
I love the blues so am digging the Mississippi and clarksdale options . For the fam, I am reminded enough by all the posts above that it's a learning experience .

Any alternative drives welcome. Am seeing the potential weather risks we are taking with original plan!

Thanks again to all!
pete71 is offline  
Old Jan 24th, 2016, 03:53 AM
  #32  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Potential weather happens every day. LOL
.
This storm is one for the century--likened to Hurricane Sandy several years ago IN THE SUMMER. It was also predicted for 10 days and airlines eased restrictions, etc. early on.
I realize your need for a tight window, but I do think that you could make what plans you really want to do without worrying about a blizzard hampering you.
There is a 4 lane highway that goes through the GSMNP, by the way. Yes some roads DO close.
Interstate 40 between Asheville and Knoxville has one of the most beautiful stretches along the Pigeon River gorge for about 45 miles outside Asheville which is winding but not "mountainous". From Knoxville to Nashville the highway (it is 4-6 lanes) is non-mountainous--really.
If you want to fly between stuff, do it.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Jan 24th, 2016, 06:38 AM
  #33  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,397
Received 79 Likes on 8 Posts
<i>...if we were happy to fly from Orlando to the start of a road trip , what's another itinerary that limits weather exposure but still offers stuff to see and do? Does this open up the possibility of moving further west into safer weather states? We would still have maybe same amount of days 11-12, less maybe a day to get to and fro airport...</i>

Much would depend on where else in the US you've been or would like to visit. If it's a blank slate the list is pretty big. Obviously the desert southwest is a prime target. My own favorite place at that time of year is Palm Springs and Joshua Tree NP - remarkable diversity including Joshua Tree itself, the Palm Springs aerial tram that takes you from the desert up to snow country in minutes; very cool mid-century architecture, great food, and remarkably cheap.

Or Death Valley - fabulous for the kids - ghost towns, hikes...

Or Big Sur and the Monterey Bay area - millions of migrating Monarch butterflies in Pacific Grove, breeding elephant seals next to the incredible Hearst Castle, coast redwoods in several state parks, Point Lobos and its wildlife and stunning scenery...

Or a 10-11 day road trip that touches all the bases, like this - https://goo.gl/maps/qvqkQrJ6gd32 To me, this would be a lot more kid-friendly a trip than one that is, IMO, way more adult-centric, unless your kids are big fans of the blues.

Wide open, but of course that's a very big restructuring of your whole trip, and maybe you've already visited some of these places.
Gardyloo is offline  
Old Jan 24th, 2016, 11:57 AM
  #34  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the options . I saw some of the southwest 20years ago on a group tour that took 2 weeks to go from Nola to la. I loved it , tho there was lots of days travelling big miles on a bus!
Would love to take fam to Grand Canyon so the southwest does appeal. We looked last time to drive from Grand Canyon up through other np to Yosemite and sequoia but I think in winter some of the roads from the south aren't open?
Not sure we'd need Vegas with kids , but I assume it's necessary base to see the canyon? Winter obviously cold in canyon , Joshua tree etc but milder than out east? Roads less likely to be snowed in?
We've seen a bit of sf and Yosemite last trip and loved them, so am enticed by the thought of milder weather and seeing more of that country.

What about San Diego ? We drove there from la last trip to go to legoland just for the day (shudders, even the kids weren't that fussed). It seemed like mild weather , attractions that had broad appeal , and striking distance from la and some of the other southwest parks and Grand Canyon?

I love the road trip suggested by gardyloo. At 1000 miles it's a long one! Assume there's logical stops in there for few nights at a stretch ?

We're flying to Hawaii on the way back home so the thought of doing some travel on the west coast just before is appealing ��

We found west coast winter weather similar to a mild Aussie winter apart from Yosemite which was mountainous so a bit colder

I am starting to see perhaps the wife and I might keep our eastern USA trip up our sleeves a bit longer!

Thanks and Appreciate the thoughts and alternatives. We would like to see a mix of fun, history , nature and of course some blatant touristy photo ops. I think disneyworld will provide lots of some of this but leave us primed to see the rest of the us.
pete71 is offline  
Old Jan 24th, 2016, 03:52 PM
  #35  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,397
Received 79 Likes on 8 Posts
The southwest parks and the Grand Canyon are certainly possible, but again, altitude is not your friend. Most of the red rock parks in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah are at very high altitude, e.g. the south rim of the Grand Canyon is around 7000 feet/2100m and snow and ice on the access roads are fairly frequent in December/January. Interstate 40 near Flagstaff is also prone to blizzards and whiteouts.

Other southwest national parks are even higher; Bryce Canyon for example is over 8000 feet, and even breathing can be rough until you get acclimated.

The trip I mapped could easily be shortened by dropping Death Valley, and you could go from Palm Springs/Joshua Tree to San Diego easily. You might look at spending a couple of nights on Mission Bay; it's a shallow, warm and very kid-friendly lagoon, close to Sea World.

Here are a few photos taken in Jan/Feb in various years to illustrate what the places look like:

Monterey aquarium - http://gardyloo.us/0118-6a.JPG
Butterflies, Pacific Grove - http://gardyloo.us/20130124_187b.JPG
Big Sur coast - http://gardyloo.us/20130119_61H1a.jpg
Elephant seals, San Simeon - http://gardyloo.us/20130119_90a.JPG
Spanish mission (1820) Santa Barbara - http://gardyloo.us/20110205_8a.JPG
Joshua Tree NP - http://gardyloo.us/20110205_55a.JPG
Joshua Tree 2 - http://gardyloo.us/20110205_92a.JPG
Gardyloo is offline  
Old Jan 24th, 2016, 06:43 PM
  #36  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
PLEASE advise what trip you are NOW thinking about. Bevore we give you copious other itineraries we all love, for heavens's sake. Do you want the northwest also. Sorry to be snarky but......
Gretchen is offline  
Old Jan 25th, 2016, 12:29 AM
  #37  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fair call Gretchen! Sorry . My bad. Too many great ideas and options and only one life and budget�� Was fairly set on our route till I saw the blizzard this week and it made me doubt !

The wife says let's focus on what we originally wanted to see and do

Smarter itinerary is perhaps..

Fly Orlando to Nashville spend 2 days in and around Nashville

Drive Nashville south to Memphis spend 3 days there

Drive south and see Mississippi perhaps Pick up Natchez trace parkway and take 2-4days to do so (options along the way?)

Fly to Hawaii out of somewhere south assume it needs to be New Orleans ? Any other airports between Natchez and there?

The above route seems to have us:
-spending a decent amount of time In key areas we wanted to see
- reduce weather risk by driving south
- get a bit off the beaten track and the interstate
- not changing location and not driving everyday and less driving overall


It does mean we would mIss smokey this trip and would look to Combine it with future road trip to Dc and ny in fall or springtime

Ok that's what I'm thinking - thoughts? Do we need to go all the way south to Nola? Any upside to doing this trip in reverse from Mississippi up to Nashville?

Thanks , for the ideas and the patience
pete71 is offline  
Old Jan 25th, 2016, 03:56 AM
  #38  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That may be overkill IMO and MOST especially if you don't see NOLA after flying to Nashville, it is a real waste, IMO.
Also IMO, this weather thing has become an obsession.
Enjoy whatever you do.
You have also given up fairly close historic and interesting destinations on the east coast (Georgia coast,Savannah, Beaufort, Charleston) for spaced out albeit perhaps interesting backcountry south. Are the kids gonna love this?
Gretchen is offline  
Old Jan 25th, 2016, 07:07 AM
  #39  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You might find this article interesting. It is long and detailed, covering food, sights, events, etc. even great places to stay.
Vacation Faceoff: Charleston vs. Savannah - Travel Chanel
Sassafrass is offline  
Old Jan 25th, 2016, 02:01 PM
  #40  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Gretchen . Not sure re the kids. I love the blues so travelling south into Mississippi perhaps is an indulgence for me.
The kids will probably take turns enjoying and complaining at various points . The wife and I figure let's make up destinations we want and the kids can enjoy along the way . We're paying anyway and they may even learn something !
Agree re Nola , esp If we're heading that direction to eventually fly out then it makes sense to spend a couple of days there as I'm sure it's worth it.
Yes I am a bit paranoid re weather. Planning a trip from the other side of the world on a finite budget of time and money does make you want to limit some of the risks and factors beyond your control . An annoying trade off for travelling that time of year I guess.

This process has made me read up want to see places like Savannah , Charleston , Asheville that I didn't know Much about . They will definitely need to be worked into future trips.
pete71 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -