September 2009: Atlanta-Kentucky-Virginia-Atlanta

[mjdh1957]

Hi everyone,

Recently discovered this site and think it is great!

Anyway, my partner Frank and I (Michael) are planning a road trip in September this year. We are looking at 3 weeks in the US in total, dates not finalised yet. Both of us love planning trips and have already spent a lot of time looking at road maps and seeing where we might go.

We'd be flying into Atlanta on the direct Delta flight from Manchester, which arrives in the afternoon, and we'd probably spend a couple of days in Atlanta before heading off. We will first be heading for Owensboro, KY where we will stay about a week with friends. Then our trip back to Atlanta would be via Monongahela Forest, Richmond, Williamsburg, North Carolina coast (maybe New Bern and/or Wilmington), Charleston, Savannah and possibly Macon. Looking at Google maps that would be about 1700 miles, which we'd aim to take 10 to 12 days (we're fairly flexible on times and don't want to rush). And we'd be looking to stay in motels/budget accommodation.

We've both driven in the US before, but this is our first long trip together. Does that sounds reasonable? We'd like to avoid the interstates and take interesting routes. Is there anything else we might add?

As for the car hire, if we're in Atlanta to acclimatise to the time zone before setting off, would it make more sense to get the car from a midtown/suburban location rather than at the airport (in other words, are airport rental places much more expensive)? Any good car hire firms in Atlanta recommended?

We think this trip would give us a good varied experience of the South-east, national parks, forest, historical cities and the coast.

Thanks for any tips and recommendations.

Michael