Orlando to Memphis - Road conditions

[FWerneck]

Well, let me start it over. From now on I will write only one reply, to you AZBuck and to you Mass Tim. I first wrote my first Thread here naivily, because I thought no one would respond me back: I was and am completely wrong. You both have been so helpfull. I can see that because of you this king of web site do works. Thank you again!

Now, let's talk about my trip again: This will be my third time in Florida, visiting its wonderfull parks. And this time, once we don't have anything new to see in Disney, Universal and other similar places, I want to fulfill another one of my dreams: to see Graceland (maybe check if Elvis isn't death, like us, The King's fans, think. But 8 days only visiting Memphis would not be nice to other cities in TN. I like to see where the blues was born (if not, at least I heard that Elvis, BB King and many others used to play and record their songs in Nashville).

As I like the American way of life, and many other things that you have different from my country (Brazil), I want to know more and more each time I go there.

My first plan was just to visit Memphis. Then I seacherd about other cities and where I could go: the chosen ones were Nashville and Chattanooga, so we can learn a little about the American History.

Then, I realized that if I took a 3 day trip to Memphis I would arrive there only one day before Elvis' birthday. The city would be crowded. Then I thought: Maybe I can travel the other way round - Orlando>Chattanooga (9 hour trip, according to google)>Nashivelle>Memphis>Orlando (the last round would take about 14 hours (google), and if we have snow in our way, it will delay us a little more.

So, what do you thing I can do? which is the best route? what places I should go (I heard about a wonderfull Zoo in Chattanooga)? What do you think about Memphis during Elvis' birthday? Too crowded?

Thanks again for your politeness and thoughtfull hints.

My best regards!

[glc]

What you need to do is check dates carefully to determine which direction you want to make this "loop" trip in - you can do either Orlando - Memphis - Nashville - Chattanooga - Orlando *OR* Orlando - Chattanooga - Nashville - Memphis - Orlando.

Approximate drive times between these cities on fastest route:

Orlando - Chattanooga: This is a full day's drive, 10 to 12 hours.
Chattanooga - Nashville: 2.5 hours
Nashville - Memphis: 3.5 hours
Memphis - Orlando: This is a day and a half, 14 to 16 hours.

[Southwest Dave]

Between Memphis and Orlando leave some time for a stop in Tupelo to visit the Kings birthplace.

[FWerneck]

Between Memphis and Orlando leave some time for a stop in Tupelo to visit the Kings birthplace.

Thanks, Dave, for the hint. It is already written in my trip schedule.

[FWerneck]

What you need to do is check dates carefully to determine which direction you want to make this "loop" trip in - you can do either Orlando - Memphis - Nashville - Chattanooga - Orlando *OR* Orlando - Chattanooga - Nashville - Memphis - Orlando.

Approximate drive times between these cities on fastest route:

Orlando - Chattanooga: This is a full day's drive, 10 to 12 hours.
Chattanooga - Nashville: 2.5 hours
Nashville - Memphis: 3.5 hours
Memphis - Orlando: This is a day and a half, 14 to 16 hours.

Thanks, GLC. We will be travelling from January 3rd and arriving back in Orlando on January 13th.
About the driving time, we think that 5 to 6 hours per day will be enough, especially due to the weather and traffic.

[glc]

That would make it a 2 day trip between Orlando and Chattanooga, and a 3 day trip between Memphis and Orlando. Tupelo is right on the fastest route and is about 2 hours from Memphis. The halfway point between Tupelo and Orlando is Dothan.

[FWerneck]

That would make it a 2 day trip between Orlando and Chattanooga, and a 3 day trip between Memphis and Orlando. Tupelo is right on the fastest route and is about 2 hours from Memphis. The halfway point between Tupelo and Orlando is Dothan.

Thanks again, GLC.