Chicago round trip

Hi guys,

I'm looking at booking a holiday and a roundtrip Chicago roadtrip at the end of August for 10 full days

So far we've planned to drive down to Nashville for a couple of days via Lynchburg with a stopover in potentially Louisville and maybe a trip to Dollywood. Then onto Memphis and back up through St Louis.

Not really knowing the area (normally do west coast) are there any sights we should see or roads to use? I think Dollywood might be out due to cost but anywhere in the Great Smokey mountain area we should think about?

Thanks and look forward to suggestions.

Welcome back.

The first thing to note is that while ten days may seem like a lot, a full four of those days will be taken up with driving a fairly direct route through the places you mentioned. If that ten days also includes flying days, then you're down to just four days (maybe a little more) for actually doing stuff. So the first thing you'll want to do is get your destinations laid out in the most efficient order. That would be Chicago, Pigeon Forge, Lynchburg, Nashville, Memphis, St. Louis, Chicago.

Now, besides the cities which I assume you've looked at and know what you want to do there, where/what else might be worth a stop? In Kentucky, Mammoth Cave would probably top my list. If you do decide to visit Mammoth Caves, there is a small two-car ferry across the Green River that might interest you. I'd also try to include some of the Appalachians by using US-441/US-74 from Pigeon Forge to Chattanooga and then continue on I-24/TN-55 to Lynchburg.

In addition there are more Civil War battlefields in the southeastern portion of this trip than you can shake a stick at. So let us know what, if any, interest you might have in visiting a few.

Two last places where I'd recommend at least a short stop. First, seeing as how you're from the west coast, is New Madrid (pronounced 'New MAD-rid') just off I-55 on your way between Memphis and St. Louis. This is the site of the largest earthquake to be recorded in the United States (1811). And second, Hannibal, MO might not be too big a detour.

AZBuck

Thanks for the update. At the moment we are looking at the following

Sat 26 - land lunchtime
Sun 27 - Chicago
Mon 28 - Louisville
Tue 29 - Pigeon Forke
Wed 30 - Pigeon Forke (might be dropped)
Thu 31 - Nashville (via Lynchburg)
Fri 1 - Nashville
Sat 2 - Nashville
Sun 3 - Memphis
Mon 4 - Memphis
Tue 5 - St Louis
Wed 6 - Chicago
Thu 7 - Fly home

City wise, I'm not sure although we do have a book to read but the wife is desperate to do Nashville mainly. New Madrid sounds interesting. I think Dollywood is probably going to be out of the picture due to the costs and how much we would actually use the park but keen to do anything else that might be in the area.

Actually, in Pigeon Forge, you are going to be just north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Yes, it's one of the most popular US National Parks, just because of its proximity to so many other populated places (east coast), but might be worth your while.

Bear in mind that the first weekend in September is the Labor Day Weekend here in the US. You may find that lodging will be slightly higher priced that weekend, and roads may be more congested.


Donna

There is, of course, lots more to do in Pigeon Forge than just go to Dollywood. That's true of areas around most major amusement parks. There's also plenty to see and do in Nashville and Memphis. Also in the Pigeon Forge area, and during your travel time frame, is the annual Gatlinburg Songwriters Festival, while Memphis' music scene is more Blues oriented than Country.

AZbuck

Looking at your plans, are you locked into Chicago as your starting/ending point?

Chicago is a great city, but it really just seems a long way away from everything else you're planning to do. Chicago to Louisville is a 5 hour drive, and then you're another 5 hours onto Pigeon Forge. You're basically doing the same thing on the way back - 5 hours from Memphis to St Louis then another 5 hours onto Chicago. Not that any of those are a problem, but they aren't going to leave you much time to see things in either place.

It might be a better use of your time just to fly into Nashville and do a loop from there. Start by heading out to Lynchburg and Pigeon Forge - see Smokey Mountains NP and perhaps drive some of the Blue Ridge Pkwy. Head back across Kentucky (Bourbon Trail?) to Louisville, Mammoth Cave, and continue onto St. Louis, before going down to Memphis and back to Nashville.

That's a very rough outline, and what you have would work, it just seems like Chicago is an odd place to use as your base when the majority of what you want to see is in Tennessee.

Ok thanks and Chicago was only as the cheapest airport to land at. I was tempted by Indianapolis as a petrol head but guess there isn't much to see? The main points would be Memphis, Nashville and Lynchburg and not even bothered by St Louis, it was just a case of passing by on the way back.

I've just checked and flying to Nashville is only around £150 each which we could save in fuel and other accomodation costs and just circle the southern area.

Although just noticed Nashville hire cars are about £200 more than from Chicago as well.

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I've just checked and flying to Nashville is only around £150 each which we could save in fuel and other accomodation costs and just circle the southern area.

Although just noticed Nashville hire cars are about £200 more than from Chicago as well.

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Think of the savings in time driving, and in gasoline/petrol costs, when trying to make your decision about where to fly into. Also, realize that if you fly into Chicago's O'Hare, you'll have to negotiate a bit of city driving when you first set out. Chicago is a pretty large city, and O'Hare is located on the northwest side.


Donna

You also have toll roads around Chicago.

You can check airfares and car rentals in Memphis, St. Louis, Knoxville, and Louisville.

Can't see to get direct flights from UK to Memphis or St Louis unfortunately

Ok so Chicago to Chicago is still the cheapest but does seem a waste of a couple days driving down when my wife's main focus is Nashville and Memphis. So thinking on Nashville to Nashville I'm looking to see what I can change to drop the price. I'm not sure if we would be interested in Mammoth Cave to be honest so would be looking at some sites around Pigeon Forge and possibly Tupelo on the way to Memphis

Scooting around the idea of

Sat - Nashville airport
Sun - Pigeon Forge
Mon - Pigeon Forge
Tues - Lynchburg
Wed - Tupelo
Thur - Memphis
Fri - Memphis
Sat - Memphis
Sun - Nashville
Mon - Nashville
Tue - Nashville
Wed fly home

Memphis mainly looking at Graceland's which I guess will take a day and maybe trip on the Mississippi another day. Nashville she wants to go to the Opry and Bluebird cafe but could shave a day of Nashville if necessary unless stuff to do for 2 full days

If direct flights are a priority, then I would also look at Atlanta and possibly Charlotte. Both have direct flights to London and are a fair bit closer than Chicago to most of your priority destinations.

If you still want to start from Chicago, it will work - and if you want to hit Indianapolis, that's certainly a consideration, you just hadn't mentioned it previously. But as Donna mentioned, make sure you're factoring in all of the costs. Chicago is city where you might not want a car - and if you're staying downtown, it's pretty easy to have to pay $50 a day just for parking. Alternatively, you would wait to pick up your car rental, but if you're planning to wait until after exploring Chicago to pick up the car from the airport, OHare is on the opposite side of the city from where you'll be traveling - so that adds a fair amount of time.

One other less conventional idea to consider would be flying in and out of Chicago for your transatlantic leg, but then look at a separate domestic flight to Nashville. There's quite a few nonstop flights from Chicago to Nashville every day, both on major carriers American and United, as well as discount Southwest Airlines, and possibly the Ultra Low Cost Frontier or Spirit. Keep in mind, Southwest Airlines basically requires you to book direct on their website (they generally will not appear on google flights, skyscanner, or any other online flight booking site) and the ULCCs will have high fees for bags and any other extras.

Ok going to look properly on Sunday to try and get it nailed. I think I'm still preferring Chicago just to say we've been there and 5hr drive is nothing to us really. Is Chicago driving like LA or more like NY? Thinking the first night we'd stay near the airport and head back for 2 nights on the way back.

Quite like the idea of the observation deck and not sure if the water taxi would help us stay out a bit further to save driving or even staying back near the airport and getting the train in

Water taxi in Chicago is much more of a novelty than it is a real transportation method. It certainly won't get you anywhere near the airport.

The train (blue line) from O'Hare to downtown takes 45 minutes to an hour. Driving with no traffic is about 30 minutes, but no traffic is pretty rare and it can easily take well over an hour in heavy traffic. You'll certainly want to balance the costs with the travel time if considering staying near the airport.

Ok thanks. Just trying to work out where to stay in Chicago on the way back. Would be driving in from St Louis, stop the night, then a full day and the night then check out for a late evening flight.

I think staying outside and getting CTA seems better option especially looking at hotel parking fees

Sorry sudden change of plan. Now almost certain on Nashville - Nashville and driving through Memphis to Dallas, back via Oklahoma City and back to Nashville. Stopping at Hot Springs on the way to Dallas and Joplin and Williamsville as a rough guess for the way back but open to suggestions. So far 3 nights in Dallas which I think might be too much and 2 in Nashville on way back.

Hopefully some nice roads from Oklahoma

Oklahoma City to St Louis is pretty much I-44, which is the route of the old US-66.

In Dallas, there are a few things to see/do. The first and foremos, there's the Sixth Floor Museums at Dealey Plaza.


Donna

Ok great thanks, don't think we'll go as far north as St Louis but feels better. We've got more interest in Dallas than Chicago so makes sense and less miles.

Will definitely do Dealey Plaza, was hoping to find a rodeo but not sure midweek and just realised Gas Monkey Garage is in Dallas.

Just some suggested places and roads on the way back to Nashville. Don't like repeating roads and rather do a loop

When you mentioned Oklahoma City and Joplin on the way back, I-44 came immediately to mind. I've been up/down that a few times.

If Joplin is in your "must stop" list, then I'd suggest US-60 across Missouri. A couple of places of interest might be Mansfield, MO (home of Laura Ingalls Wilder), Sikeston MO (original restaurant Lambert's of "throwed rolls" fame). You'd cross the river at Cairo IL and could head to Paducah, KY (American Quilt Museum, for one). Then head down I-24 to Nashville. There, Land Between the Lakes might be a nice scenic stop (or two) before Nashville.

I don't know about the current state of US-60 (construction, etc), nor about the Cairo Bridge (which MoDOT and IL-DOT just said it reopened). Give me another few weeks and I'll know more about those, firsthand. Watch for my trip report.

Donna

Amazing thank you. Joplin and Williamsville was just me plucking a place on Google maps to break the drive

Joplin has a bunch of hotels and restaurants at Exit 8. A bit pricey, but I can highly recommend the Drury Inn. The Hampton Inn across the street is also good, Chick Fil-A, Outback Steakhouse, and Olive Garden are literally right next door.

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Originally Posted by glc

A bit pricey, but I can highly recommend the Drury Inn.

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Just an aside, here -- The Drury Inn hotels chain is one of the best in the country. Whenever our travels take us anywhere near a Drury, we make a point of staying there.

I have not stayed in one post-pandemic, but prior to that, they served a light "snack" in the evening that constituted an entire meal for us. We always ate "dinner" from the "snack" buffet.

I would be very curious to discover if they are still serving the "snack meal."

Mark

Ok sorry you guys are gonna hate me. Wife just been reading her Texas book and realised Houston an option so still looking at Nashville to Nashville, but this time doing Houston after Dallas and heading back through Baton Rouge.

Reading that Memphis/Graceland can be a bit rough so probably going to try and do Nashville to Little Rock with Graceland stop on the way.

Need to work out stopovers between Houston and Lynchburg.

Sat - Land Nashville airport
Sun - Little Rock
Mon - Dallas
Tue - Dallas
Wed - Houston
Thu - Houston
Fri - Baton Rouge?
Sat - Meridian?
Sun - Lynchburg area
Mon - Nashville
Tue - Nashville
Wed - Home

Also what's the verdicts with car hire companies is there a shortage of cars like over here? We normally use Alamo and had no issues while Avis we had ants in a Mustang once and a old Passat that broke down. Alamo is quite a bit more and British Airways uses Budget but heart saying Alamo.

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Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist

I would be very curious to discover if they are still serving the "snack meal."

Mark

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Yes. Hot breakfast too.

https://www.druryhotels.com/menu

I'm a Hilton and IHG member so most the hotels I've looked at have been Holiday Inn Expresses to be honest

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Originally Posted by stuarta

Also what's the verdicts with car hire companies is there a shortage of cars like over here? We normally use Alamo and had no issues while Avis we had ants in a Mustang once and a old Passat that broke down. Alamo is quite a bit more and British Airways uses Budget but heart saying Alamo.

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Supply chain issues with rental cars has been largely resolved. I've rented a variety of cars from various places recently--no shortage.

My vote is always going to be National Car Rental. (Yes, they are no longer independent) but their cars are ALWAYS clean with good maintenance. Enterprise Holdings now owns National Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo Rent a Car and National Car Rental.

Mark

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Originally Posted by stuarta

I'm a Hilton and IHG member so most the hotels I've looked at have been Holiday Inn Expresses to be honest

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Me too. Which is why I am going to suggest again that at least one night you give Drury a try. They have a very generous affiliate program too.

Mark

Honestly, it seems like with your latest loop, you're once again back to really trying to squeeze 15 pounds of trip back into a 10 pound can again. You've completely removed Memphis from your plans and instead of doing a lot of driving for a pretty small amount of time in Chicago, now you're doing just as much - if not even a little more - driving for rushed trips through Dallas and Houston.

Basically, what you've listed off certainly isn't impossible, but it sounds pretty exhausting and not very rewarding in my book. I'd still recommend focusing on either Tennessee or Texas, but ultimately, that's still your call.

Personally, for car rental I prefer to use Hertz, because I really like being able to pick my own car - especially now that I've got top tier status, where I've gotten some very nice cars for the price of a mid-sized sedan rental. I probably use Budget/Avis a bit more, however, because I tend to find better deals with them. I've never had a problem with either - although my last time at Budget/Avis, I did go back and demand a different car because the Chevy Malibu they assigned me was beat to hell. Whoever you rent with, being signed up for the loyalty program where you can skip the line is very valuable in my book. More than once that's saved me at least an hour of time.

Hampton Inn is a Hilton property, they are generally quite good.

I generally use Avis because they give good deals to AARP members. I can book them through the AARP website. Up to 30% discount on base rate, free 1 class upgrade, and 1 free additional driver.

Ok thanks so sounds like I don't need to pay premium of Alamo.

With regards to the trip Midwest Michael, yup we do seem to have consolidated it back up but I actually enjoy the driving, more so than in the UK.

I think I worked out around 5hrs from Nashville to Little Rock with around 4hrs to look around Graceland in between. Another 5 to get to Dallas so would have the afternoon and full day to go to Dealey Plaza and look around. 4hrs down to Houston so again get there early afternoon then a full day at Johnson. Unknown where to stop on the way back but so far for 4hrs to Baton Rouge and another to Meridian just as night stops. Then 5 to Lynchburg, couple hours to do Jack Daniels tour and stop. Then short hop into Nashville for most the day and another full day. Looking at staying in downtown with the Ryman, Music Hall of Fame and Opry being the main sites

Just a couple of thoughts as you continue to plan. First and foremost, if you're cutting up sites and drives into small chunks (hours) and fitting in as many as you can, you're trying to do too much. I agree with Michael about the size of your container and the amount of goods you want to put into it. Time can get tight quickly especially if you've made all your lodging reservations ahead of time. You will be pressed for time on such a trip and will end up overstressed or regretful that you had to skip something you were planning on.

I have never had any issue with any car I have rented from any company. I have found that you can save significant amounts of money by renting from an off-airport location. Often such sites are less than a mile from the airport, have free shuttle service, and allow you to return the car to the airport.

Hi everyone - this is my first post.

I also agree with Midwest Michael on you may be doing a bit much for your schedule. Live and learn, right?

Just a thought that was touched on before by Midwest Michael and AZBuck. I don't usually like booking lodging ahead of time on road trips if I can help it. I remember one time I was in western North Dakota at Teddy Roosevelt National Park and had foolishly booked a room in Fargo that night. I should have followed my own advice and waited to book because I was forced to travel 6 hours late in the day across the entire state when I wasn't ready. On the flip side I was in Amarillo and was going to book in Albuquerque but this time I held off. I was smart to do so as I arrived around 2pm (far earlier than I expected) and since I didn't need to spend time in that area, I kept driving another 4 hours until I reached the Wigwam in Holbrook, AZ which in turn helped me now have a couple hours to hike in Petrified Forest National Park the next morning.

If you are flexible with not having rooms booked ahead of time (when possible) your trip will unfold naturally rather than feeling forced or boxed in. I have had multiple trips when I stayed days longer than planned or left extra early from a place I was not having fun in. Don't forget the weather and one of you being tired or sick could dramatically change your plans as well. Try not to book ahead and if you have already, consider canceling them to give you some wiggle room. There are countless hotels and motels along your routes that can be booked last minute (and maybe you can negotiate a deal). You might even stumble across an amazing B&B to stay at.

The true American road trip is finding your room at the end of each day. You know, like in Psycho!

Hi Ram4 and welcome to RTA !

Thanks for your input, it's always nice when new members bring fresh views and share experiences so it's much appreciated. Apologies for the delay in getting your post 'Live', it got held up by our Spywear. Enjoy RTA !

Dave.

Booking ahead or not is always a personal decision. Pros and cons of both have been pointed out. My husband and I have had the experience of booking ahead and then not being able to get there for one reason or another. Most of the time, a call direct to the lodging place will be a little easier and more personable when explaining your sudden change of plans.

BTW, the above experience is because we ONLY book through either the website of the hotel/hotel chain, or by phone. We do not use third-party bookings (Expedia, Hotels.com, booking.com, etc) if we can help it. It is WAY too difficult to change your plans mid-stream through a third-party, who typical sell hotel rooms that they may not have filled otherwise.

Another reason not to use a third party: upgrades. On our recent trip, my husband and I were engaged in a conversation with a BW manager. He gave us priority in rooms on request, because we had been members of the BW Rewards Program for a few years. (We like first floor rooms in properties with no elevators mentioned on their website, though the photo shows two stories.) He stated, "I'll go out of my way to upgrade a Rewards member and honor their simple requests, because they're obviously a long-term customer of the company. Those who use third parties are out for the cheap rooms, and we've had issues not being respectful of our property."


Donna

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

BTW, the above experience is because we ONLY book through either the website of the hotel/hotel chain, or by phone. We do not use third-party bookings (Expedia, Hotels.com, booking.com, etc) if we can help it. It is WAY too difficult to change your plans mid-stream through a third-party, who typical sell hotel rooms that they may not have filled otherwise.

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Speaking as a "third-party provider" of lodging and rentals--sometimes the pricing you can find through sites like ROADTRIP AMERICA are better than you can get from the primary sites. I use both methods -- but since we pay the bills around here (in-part from the lodging application) I hope that Donna isn't suggesting that you never use RTA's booking service.

Mark

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Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist

Speaking as a "third-party provider" of lodging and rentals--sometimes the pricing you can find through sites like ROADTRIP AMERICA are better than you can get from the primary sites. I use both methods -- but since we pay the bills around here (in-part from the lodging application) I hope that Donna isn't suggesting that you never use RTA's booking service.

Mark

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Sounds like Donna may be concerned that some options offer less flexibility.
Not certain if that is the case with this, but just looking, if I were to book a room via your service, it had the free cancellation button. However, that only worked (on that reservation) through 7/16, when the room was booked for 7/18-20. Via the hotel's site, you had until 3pm on 7/17, and after that would be charged for only one night (not both).

Many hotels will (or always did) offer you the option to cancel a reservation until the day of (usually 4pm or so) when you call them (or their national phone #).

So that type of thing could be an issue for some, if they wanted to be able to change plans on the spur of the moment.

Using the RTA booking service is just one of many options that one has for reserving hotel rooms. So I wouldn't say, don't use it, just be aware when you book a room (in any way) of the terms and conditions.

For the record, we find that even booking through the hotel or chain website, they've put a 24 or 48 hour cancellation in place. The places that offer a "same day cancellation" probably aren't in an area of great demand. That was the case for 3 properties we booked. The other places were in high demand and one had a 48-hour notice to cancel plan in place.

If you are trying to accrue points in a certain brand (or chains) rewards system, you may or may not be awarded said points if you book through a third party. Same with using coupons found in advertising booklets or online, you may or may not get the points. Over the years we have earned a number of free nights with our points, most recent being our final night on the road a couple of weeks ago. We know that points have their rules, too -- expiring, can't use them in certain areas or at certain times for an individual property.

I just say...buyer beware. Read the rules, terms, conditions, etc., so that you don't get surprised.


Donna

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

If you are trying to accrue points in a certain brand (or chains) rewards system, you may or may not be awarded said points if you book through a third party.

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When booking through RTA, one can always ask to have the chain affinity number applied when one checks in. I have done that a number of times.

Generally, if one books through the primary chain's site -- the location is generally better (for instance nearer the elevator) -- but pricing is much more fluid.

Mark

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Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist

When booking through RTA, one can always ask to have the chain affinity number applied when one checks in. I have done that a number of times.

Generally, if one books through the primary chain's site -- the location is generally better (for instance nearer the elevator) -- but pricing is much more fluid.

Mark

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I have gotten dozens of hotel rooms for free in recent years so I tend to book through the hotel's app/site to take advantage of that. Loyalty also means preferential treatment when you have any issues. When I have to pay for a room then I will consider all my options.

Another quirky travel "hack" is that my girlfriend likes to gamble enough that we get free rooms through casinos and plan roadtrips around those. For example last year we were on the road for a month and able to stay at Caesars Atlantic City for two separate five day/four night comped stays (with ocean view rooms) during the peak summer season. We made Atlantic City our home base on a few days and went elsewhere on the Jersey Shore rather than only stay in Atlantic City which in my opinion is kind of a dump. In between those two stays we spend three nights in Manhattan. The best part (and what many don't realize) is that you don't have to be a big time player to get those comps. Mark, you should be well aware of this living in Vegas (not that you may gamble though).

Hi guys, getting close to my trip and we have a leg from Slidell to Cullman which is just a bed for the night.

At the moment I see Google takes me up the I59I20 but are there any suggestions of roads to take or places to visit rather than a 5hr stint on the interstate?

Toss up between I59/20 or US11 or I10/65

Many thanks

(Mod note) Please keep all questions with regards to this trip in one Thread. Thanks)