RV Roadtrip | Elkhart, IN to Middletown, NJ | Mid March 2016
 

Hello

We are a middle aged Australian Couple doing an RV relocation for Roadbear in March 2016 from Middlebury, IN to Middletown, NJ. Obviously due to the timing (cannot be moved) feasibility of route is our largest concern. We are experienced travellers, and have spent considerable time driving on the "wrong" side of the road, however we have no experience in snow/ice situations.

We have mud mapped the route we would like to take below, and I would be so grateful for criticism and advice please, as well as alternates if required (bearing in mind this is a fixed period rental which cannot be modified in terms of dates, or pickup or drop off points.

My main concern is feasibility and driving conditions, suggested campgrounds, things we absolutely shouldn’t miss etc.

We love road trips, love the natural environment, easy walks, good food and interesting history. We are not really into museums, galleries, markets, shopping etc. We do a lot of travelling by Camper and Car and when we do we like to cover quite a bit of ground by having transit days and touring days. Particularly when you have limited time, it is not possible to see 'everything' an area may have to offer, so we pick and choose, have days where we move little and others where we just drive.

Another point, is that we are aware that this vehicle will be winterised, thus not self contained, we will need campgrounds, however don't mind free camping the odd night to cut costs where we can. Our budget is just what it costs, without being silly.

Thanks for listening, I've tried to give the information you may need to provide us with well needed advice, please let me know if I've left anything out.

Day One – Middlebury, IN (near Elkhart) to Rockville, IN
Amish Country Drive, US31, Lafayette, River Road Scenic Byway, US41

Day Two – Rockville, IN to Nashville, TN
Driving Day – Not sure of route but starting with the Parke County Covered Bridges near Rockville then a driving day possibly the 59 South, onto the 46, then the 37 South into French Lick. South onto the I64 then south on the 65 and into Nashville by Early Evening.

Day Three – Nashville

Day Four – Nashville, TN – Blue Ridge Parkway, NC

Driving Day –Via Chatanooga (because we want to then up to Cherokee and into perhaps the 340 Mile mark of the Parkway (130 miles in)

Day Five – Blue Ridge Parkway

From the 340 mile mark to the 90 mile mark – very roughly.

Day Six – Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive – DC

All day Parkway to Front Royal, then down into DC early evening (meeting a friend for dinner in DC) – have spent time in DC before so not really looking to see much here.

Day Seven – DC to Philadelphia

Day Eight – Philadelphia to Middletown (Drop Off at 10am)

Thanks in advance for your help.

You have misplaced the BRParkway in Nashville.
I am glad you are doing some covered bridge country in Indiana.
I think you have 'way too much time on the Parkway--when you really do get to it
Are you completely against interestates?
I would either start out from Indiana south to Pleasant Hill Kentucky to see the Shaker Village.
Then head for Knoxville, and the GSMNP. IMO Chattanooga is out of the way.
Continue across to Asheville and the Biltmore House (in spite of not wanting to do "sights".
You can pick up the BRParkway there.

Thanks for the info Gretchen, Sorry, on Day four we were going to Drive from Nashville to the BRP via Chattanooga.
Any opinions on road conditions at that time of year down through Indiana? and also on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Interstates are fine, on days where we are going to cover a lot of ground, if we are going slow we like to see the countryside a bit more.
Can I please ask are you saying that 2.5 days from Cherokee to Front Royal is too long?

You should not worry at all about road conditions in March. Even in the dead of winter - Jan/Feb - road crews will clear all snow and ice off roads within hours of the end of a snowfall. If does snow during your travels simply plan to park and wait it out. By March normal daytime temps are well above freezing anywhere you will be going, further reducing any snow/ice risk.

I can see little reason to go to Chattanooga. The Parkway basically begins in Cherokee.
Speed limit on the Parkway is 45MPH, and often the clouds can be below the road so you can see nothing.
I don't understand why not just drive from Nashville to Knoxville to dip down into the Smokey Mtn Park.
Cherokee is an Indian village with an exhibit but is mostly a gambling town now.
There are nice things to be seen on a trip like you are going to have, but miles and miles of parkway may not be the best. Some, yes, but not all the way.

From Asheville you could go across to Winston Salem, a lovely town with a restored Moravian village--Old Salem. Then you could go directly north and get on the Parkway again.

I LOVE the BRP, but truth be told, there is a lot of sameness in it, and there are some lovely little mountain towns to be seen from the regular roads.

Meant to include this
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/map.php

I agree that you have planned too much time on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is very slow going and while the mountains are beautiful, after a while it is a bit hypnotic.

I like the Old Salem idea.

You will have to keep an eye on the weather, however. This is the South, but the elevation of the BRPW is quite high in places. Many winters parts of it is closed during periods of snow, and it often does not reopen until spring, due more to cleaning fallen trees off the road than to ice and snow. And even in North Carolina, we have snow and ice sometimes into April.

If you are considering taking highway 74 between Chattanooga and Cherokee, be advised that this road is very narrow and curvy in places. It is also very beautiful, and more interesting than the Parkway, imo.

Agree with Gretchen. Asheville and the Biltmore House would be, IMHO, one of your best stops.

I agree with most suggestions but would like to make four points:

1. You do realize that the mountains are likely to be at their least attractive ( no leaves) unless it snows and that much/most of the wildlife will be hibernating? They will look better from below than from their tops.

2. The camper will be fine as a place to cook breakfast and lunch, but there is very little free camping in the eastern US, and you need to make sure (websites followed up by email) that the places you plan to stay on the Parkway are in fact open.

3. Where do you plan to leave the vehicle in Washington but particularly in Philadelphia while you tour.