Mid-point stopover town between Chicago and Atlanta

[dante]

We are driving from Chicago to Atlanta and back in mid October. Total estimated distance is about 750 miles each way.

I am looking for suggestions regarding towns where we can stop for the night. Our preferences are that the town be very close to I-65 and roughly at the mid-point of the driving distance. We will have a fifth grader with us; I was thinking of stopping near the Mammoth Caves on the return leg when we will have a little more time but don't know much about the park or whether it is even close to I-65.

We will stay at a Courtyard by Marriott or similar Marriott property for the stopovers.

Thanks in advance - this is my first post.

dante

[Quebec Gen]

Hi Dante and Welcome to the RoadTrip America Forum!

I would suggest Bowling Green, KY since it is fairly close to Mammoth Cave NP and it has been voted one of the dozen distinctive destinations of 2006 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It features several museum like the famous Corvette Museum and has a nice historical downtown area.

but don't know much about the park or whether it is even close to I-65.

It is about 5 miles west of I-65 on highway 70 and it is indeed a very nice park. You can access their website here to get more info.

Happy planning!
Gen

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Bowling Green is about 20 miles outside the entrance to Mammoth Caves and has a Courtyard by Marriot, so it would make a good overnight stop for an early visit to the caves the next morning. I did a similar stop on my cross-country trip last year and thoroughly enjoyed the caves. I highly recommend getting there about a half hour before the first tours of the morning begin and signing up for one of the early tours. It fills up quickly as the day progresses. The visitor's center opens at 8:00 AM and the first tours start at 8:45 and 9:00. Be sure to be on the correct time zone as the boundary between Eastern and Central Time is just to the east of the caves - but Bowling Green and Mammoth are both on Central Time. There are several tours available that vary in length and effort needed, so I'm sure that there will be one that will suit you and your child. After your tour, on the way out of the park, watch for the signs that lead to the Green River Ferry. If you're feeling a bit adventurous (and have a good map), head out of the park that way. The kid will probably enjoy this little 3 car ferry across the Green River (It's free!) and you will eventually come out on the north side of the park onto KY-728 which taken east will reconnect you with I-65.

An alternative for the return route might be to take I-74 out of Indianapolis to Lexington (where you'd spend the night) and then use I-75 to Atlanta with a modest detour to see Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Even with the detour to the park, that's still just under 800 miles so not that much longer than the direct route.

AZBuck

[dante]

Thanks to gen and AZBuck for your terrific suggestions. I am looking at the options right away.