chicago to new orleans

I am looking on advice on doing a road trip from Chicago to New Orleans and back agin in a rental car piching up and dropping back to airport. Two people coming in from Ireland 3rd week in Sept and Leaving 2 1/2 weeks later. Any advice on route to take and what to see where to stop for night how on way maybe 3 stops on way down and 3 on way back depending on what is to see in town how long we will stay there. Any help with this would be great. Have all the books read lots of other peoples travels on this but am lost with all infor mation. Thank you
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Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

Nobody knows your interests better than you so I would recommend that as you read up and check out the maps as you have been doing, is that you 'Cherry pick' from other peoples ideas, the bits that sound of interest to you and your tastes. Once you have a few dots on the map a route will start to form as you try and join them. Once you have got that far I am sure members that are familiar with with certain attractions in and around that area, will be in a better place to offer meaningful suggestions.

I would certainly recommend creating a loop and take two different routes out and back. You could visit Nashville on the way down and Memphis [Graceland/Sun recording studios]/St Louis [Gateway Arch] on the way back to Chicago. A couple of options I would be looking at would be the Great Smokey mountains and through Atlanta and on the way back, Tupelo [Elvis's Birthplace] and perhaps a little time in the Ozarks between Memphis and St Louis.

Like I say, it should be based on your interests and how much time you wish to spend on the road so once you have the basics down, share them with others for fresh ideas.

Enjoy the planning !

Thank you good advice. Maps are out and have started with picking a route.