Milwaukee, WI to Charleston, SC

[14life]

I am hoping to plan a one-way road-trip, since we are military and transferring. This leg of our trip will be adults only. I am looking for ideas about must see stops along the way and possible/recommended routes.

~TIA

Forgot to add in...we are looking at 5 days max!

[14life]

I am planning a one-way road-trip, due to military transfer. This leg of our trip will include young children.

I want to take our time and go through the mountains. We have done many road-trips from Virginia to Wisconsin via Ohio taking us 36 hours to complete. This time I want to make it about the adventure getting to our new home, not just about the destination.

We are probably looking at 7 days maximum for the trip. Any tips, routes, activities would be greatly appreciated! :)

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.

Five to Seven days is plenty for this journey, so you will have time to enjoy some of the sights and attractions along the way - IF you're starting from Milwaukee. If you're starting from Los Angeles, you will barely have time to make the trip, even if you have seven days, so I'm going to assume you're starting from Milwaukee. The main route would be I-94 to Chicago; I-65 to Louisville, KY; I-64 and I-75 to Knoxville, TN; then I-40 and I-26 to Charleston. You could probably do that in two days if all you did was drive, so you will have the opportunity for some excursions, Among those I'd suggest are the Falls of the Ohio State Park just before you cross the river into Kentucky, then take a detour and stay on I-65 south of Louisville to get to Mammoth Cave National Park. You'd then get back on track by heading east into the mountains on the Louis B. Nunn Parkway and KY-80 to join up with I-75. After Knoxville, take another detour by way of I-40, TN-66 and US-441 to tour the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As you come out the other (southeast) side you can hook up with the Blue Ridge Parkway into Ashville, NC where you might want to explore the Biltmore Estate. That should be enough to get you started (I hope), and be ready to exchange brats for barbeque.

AZBuck

[RoadDog]

I took US 52 from Joliet, Illinois to Mount Airy, NC and found it to be a great drive. I especially liked it from Metanora, Indiana to Ironton, Ohio. Much of the way, you run right alongside the Ohio River.

Near Metamora you will find an old canal town. East of Cincinnati, you'll see US Grant's birthplace plus the historical town of Ripley, a major stop along the Underground Railway.

I would suggest that you take I-64 from Huntington to Charleston, WV, and then I-77 to Virginia. Wytheville is a beautiful old town worth visiting. Mt. Airy, NC is the home of Andy Griffith and served as the basis of Mayberry so there is lots to see here.

[14life]

We are starting in California going to Las Vagas and then to Wisconsin in approximately 5 days. This part of the Trip is only adults. I have made this trip in 36 hours previously...obviously not seeing much.

Then we are picking up a 3 and 5 y/o to go from Milwaukee to Charleston and taking another 7 days. I have made this trip in 36 hours previously...again not seeing much.

This will be our 7th cross-country trip, most of the time I have been focused on just getting to where we were going. This time I want to spend some time sight-seeing, and enjoying the trip. Taking some side trips and making some memories.

So-far these are great ideas. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good book, besides the typical AAA stuff?

[Mark Sedenquist]

So-far these are great ideas. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good book, besides the typical AAA stuff?

Here at RTA we make a point to read and recommend the best of the best in terms of road trip guides and road lore. We don't publish the review of any book that we don't personally recommend. For some great ideas about places to go, we like the new one from Insight Guides and our other recommendations can be found here.

For ideas about what to do in Las Vegas, here are some of our favorites.

[14life]

I was hoping to find some BTDT information and recommendations. Some route ideas and must-see places.

Would it be too much to visit the Grand Canyan and Las Vegas? (considering we are heading North to Wisconsin and we are limited to 5 days time)

[Mark Sedenquist]

I was hoping to find some BTDT information and recommendations. Some route ideas and must-see places.

This site is full of such recommendations and there are some specific ideas above. Maybe if you could narrow your query down to a specific stretch, we could be more helpful.

As far as Las Vegas and Grand Canyon -- given your time constraints I think you should choose one or the other.

mark