towing back to Michigan on I-65

[dretired]

[QUOTE=F.R.O.G.;155758]I just came up I-65 yesterday and today, coming back from Tampa, FL to Middlebury, IN. I-65 is considerably less hilly than I-75. We took the west bypass around the airport in Atlanta (came through downtown in December in the rain and the dark -- ugh!) and went to Chatanooga, then west on I-24 to Nashville. From Nashville it was I-65 through Louisville and up to Fort Wayne, IN, then across to Middlebury.

Louisville wasn't bad -- fairly heavy but moving well -- at around 6:45 last night (Tuesday, 1/17). In Nashville, you can avoid the downtown area by using Briley Parkway past Opryland to get to I-65. There's some construction north of Bowling Green, near Mammoth Cave, but no big deal at all.

There are a couple of long pulls on I-24 west of Chatanooga, but less than what you'll find on I-75.[/QUOTE Thanks for the info....another question for those that have taken the westerly route back from Florida...What about rest areas and fuel stops... camp ground recommendations ?? ( i use gasoline ) Are there many to choose from ??

[buckeyefan]

Approaching Cincinnati on I75 northbound between 7-10 AM and 3-7 PM will cost you due road expansion construction between I275 and downtown.
The alternate route people like to take East Bound Bypass (I75 to EB I275 to I471) is under construction as well. West Bound I275 just started construction and is very hilly and no stops for diesel or large TT/5th....

There is no easy way around Cincinnati. I live between Dayton and Cincinnati and go camping/boating in southern Kentucky. It can easily take me 2 hrs to go through Cincinnati and be south of the I71 split (~50 miles from home.)

[F.R.O.G.]

Fuel on I-24 and I-65 is not an issue. Cindy and I eventually started laughing about how many Pilot/Flying J locations there are along the way -- often two at the same exit where there used to be a both franchises before the merger -- as well as others with plenty of room and easy in/out.

We stayed at "Camp Wally World" on the way back up in McDonough, GA and Scottsburg, IN. I know from prior trips that there are plenty of campgrounds along the way, and I think that many, if not most, are available year-round.

[Mark and Linda]

When you came up I-24, we live just off it at the 70 Exit. Did Monteagle Mountain give you any problems? Yes, Briley Parkway is a good way around Nashville downtown area...plus you can stop at Camping World if you need anything. It is a little hard to get to around Music City Drive. On I-24, they need another rest stop before Nashville, long way from one to another, going 24 North or 65 North. Maybe in the next thousand years they will get 840 completed around to the north, south portion is about finished, maybe a year or two. That would be going from I-40 near Lebanon, to I-24 near Murfreesboro, over towards Franklin, TN then to I-40 west near Dickson, TN. Portion that is under construction is near the Natchez Trace Parkway.

[F.R.O.G.]

Monteagle was a piece of cake. We drive a 40' DP towing a car, and crested Monteagle doing about 50 mph (speed limit there is 55). Going down to the west the exhaust brake pays for itself many times over. The truck speed limit it 45 going back down, and that's plenty. Once down the west side, it's smooth sailing into Nashville.

We made the same trip in late November in a heavy rain, and the downhill portion of Monteagle was a bit of a white-knuckler. During that trip it rained every step of the way from Atlanta to Louisville.

[Chicken Legs]

Mounteagle on I-24 is steep just take your time and it doesn't last long. Where as I-75 hills go for a long time. Don't forget about Stone Mtn. campground east of Atlanta nice place.

[Mark and Linda]

The curve at milemarker 132 on I-24 North at Monteagle is a tough one...claimed many a trucker. Not too long ago, the THP had four cars out there..each had 4 vehicles pulled over with blue lights flashing. I try to adhere to the 55 MPH when going through there.

[KyDan]

After reading about Cincinnati traffic, I modify my previous advice--

I65 Ohio river crossing at Louisville KY isn't horrible all the time.
I've heard decent reports about folks who cross there mid morning to
mid afternoon or at night. They say the traffic is moving reasonably well.
Louisville is on Eastern time zone.
Rush hour is bad-- possibly stop and go at times and that's assuming
there is no accident.

Avoid 6 to 9 AM and 3:30 to 6:30 PM if at all possible.
Weekends are variable but less crowded.

Also remember that I64 bridge is closed until some time in March or later.
I64 must take a detour via other "bypass" routes and pick up I65 for
the crossing.

[KyDan]

UPdate.
Local news and newspaper say the contractor says the I64
Ohio river bridge at Louisville
repairs will be done on or a few days before March 1.
This assumes no real bad weather.
So far they have only taken 2 days off.
One day was Christmas and the other day we had tornado warnings.

If we don't get ice or serious weather they are
gonna get'er done on time!!

[dretired]

Originally Posted by KyDan

UPdate.
Local news and newspaper say the contractor says the I64
Ohio river bridge at Louisville
repairs will be done on or a few days before March 1.
This assumes no real bad weather.
So far they have only taken 2 days off.
One day was Christmas and the other day we had tornado warnings.

If we don't get ice or serious weather they are
gonna get'er done on time!!

Thanks for ALL the info...