Community Forums

mikervet · 08-08-2021, 09:33 AM

If all goes as planned I will be picking up a motorhome in Memphis in a couple of weeks and driving it back to northeast Ohio. My route takes me thru Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Columbus. Which of these cities should I plan on taking a bypass around? It looks like I may just be as well staying on the interstate going thru Nashville and Louisville. Cincinnati looks like 275 to go around and back on 71. Columbus 270 around and back on 71. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Just want to stay safe and comfortable.

B52Rnav · 08-08-2021, 09:57 AM

Take Briley Pkwy around Nashville.

Jerrilynn · 08-08-2021, 09:57 AM

If you are experienced in driving RV’s or other large vehicles this reply may not be appropriate. My response is from an inexperienced point of view. I have been driving or 34’ Class A towing a toad for 3 years.
Going through Nashville - any time of day - was a challenge. Traffic was heavy.
Having an Garmin 700 RV was a real help. It displays which lane you need in advance of taking an exit. Gives you time to change lanes.

Also, if possible, take someone with you to help watch traffic and manage the Garmin.

Another helpful tool is RVTRIPWIZARD. I find it very helpful in planning trips and locating places to stay along the route.

MRUSA14 · 08-08-2021, 10:06 AM

I drive through Nashville northbound and southbound on I-75 twice a year. I have tried the bypass route but find that driving straight through on I-75 works just as well and is shorter and faster as long as I don't hit the rush hour traffic. Plan your trip to arrive in Nashville after 10 AM, and be through Nashville before 3PM. The hardest part is positioning yourself in the correct lane early, so you don't have to do quick lane changes. As Jerrilynn said, it is very helpful to have a good GPS which will give you advance notice of lane changes. I use a Rand McNally but I think even Google maps or Waze on a smartphone would serve the same purpose here.

RV Driver · 08-08-2021, 10:30 AM

I live in Columbus and drive to Cincinnati often.

When you get to Cincinnati, take I-75 north to I-670 south of Dayton, Ohio.

Take I-670 around the south and east side of Dayton to I-70 east to Columbus.

In Columbus, get on I-270 north around the west and north side of Columbus to I-71 north. Do NOT go through downtown Columbus. A major highway project is underway there, and much of it is at the I-70/I-71 interchange. It’s a mess down there right now.

I suggest this route because I-71 north between Cincinnati and Columbus is a terrible road. It’s bumpy and there is a lot of construction on the route.

What part of northeast Ohio? We used to live in Struthers, which is near Youngstown.

pduggs · 08-08-2021, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

I drive through Nashville northbound and southbound on I-75 twice a year. I have tried the bypass route but find that driving straight through on I-75 works just as well and is shorter and faster as long as I don't hit the rush hour traffic. Plan your trip to arrive in Nashville after 10 AM, and be through Nashville before 3PM. The hardest part is positioning yourself in the correct lane early, so you don't have to do quick lane changes. As Jerrilynn said, it is very helpful to have a good GPS which will give you advance notice of lane changes. I use a Rand McNally but I think even Google maps or Waze on a smartphone would serve the same purpose here.

You mean I65 through Nashville.

As stated above, take Briley Pkw around Nashville then the bypass I265 south of Louisville to I71 to Cincy. Try to hit Cincy at a good time.

tetranz · 08-08-2021, 10:48 AM

We've done that route several times going from New Hampshire to Texas and back in our 32ft MinnieWinne. Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Columbus all sound familiar.

Since we don't know any of those places, wisely or not, we just followed Google maps and didn't really give it much thought. I don't recall any particular problems. Last time was in April heading south. Sorry I can't give the routes but I remember I65.

By the way, we always stay at the Cracker Barrel in Franklin, TN which is near Nashville.

The drive from Memphis to Nashville is long and boring in one direction but boring and long the other way. One way to pass the time is by counting how many signs you see for the Loretta Lynn ranch or for adult superstores with truck parking.

ransil · 08-08-2021, 10:57 AM

I always go around Cincinnati, have tried to go thru on low traffic times and it still sucked, take the full 275 around dont follow the gps that wants to cut over in 2 places, As above 71 does suck.

mikervet · 08-08-2021, 08:33 PM

Thank you. I would not have known about that.

mikervet · 08-08-2021, 08:36 PM

Got a Garmin 780 but not going to have a copilot. Think I will take the Briley Parkway around. I didn't think Nashville was that big!

mikervet · 08-08-2021, 08:43 PM

Thanks for the info especially about the Cracker Barrel. I was looking for someplace to stop for the night and what could be better. A good supper and breakfast and on my way! I see there is one just north of Nashville in Franklin, Kentucky also.

Barneyb · 08-08-2021, 08:45 PM

To me it depends on the time of day, this Saturday we will be heading to Pigeon Forge Tennessee from outside of Akron Ohio. We are planing our departure time so as not to hit any rush hours in Columbus and Cincy, if we leave our house at 9:00am we will be going through Columbus around 11:00am and Cincy around 1:00pm. so we will be going straight through both. We have traveled this route many time and if it’s eleven close to rush hour go around the said cities.

pduggs · 08-09-2021, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikervet

Thanks for the info especially about the Cracker Barrel. I was looking for someplace to stop for the night and what could be better. A good supper and breakfast and on my way! I see there is one just north of Nashville in Franklin, Kentucky also.

My apps show no overnight parking at the Cracker Barrel in Franklin or Brentwood. The one in Franklin offers a few RV parking spots for small RVs. No RV parking spots at Brentwood.

mrboyer · 08-09-2021, 07:15 AM

Why not take the Blue Grass parkway east out of Elisabeth Town to Lexington to I75 north to I275 around Cincinnati. West or east is your choice. If you are a FMCA member you can stay 2 nights free on southeast side of Cincinnati. 3590 Roundbottom Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45244. 15 sites 50 amp full hookup and more with 50amp electric only.