Road Trip Southern US

barryomahony

Hi

I'm looking for advice on road trips in southern US? We're (me and gf) thinking of starting in New Orleans and going on from there. Probably two weeks off work anytime after June so probably 10-12 full days in the US given travel over and back.

The majority of suggested routes I've come across start in New Orleans and go to Memphis and Nashville.

I'm a bit worried that these routes are more for big music fans than for people just trying to experience the south? Or is that the same thing?

Any suggestions on where to go?

Also, when would be the best time of year? We're flexible once its after June.

Thanks

Black Swan

barryomahony wrote: »

Also, when would be the best time of year? We're flexible once its after June.

Summer in the south can be hot and humid. Spring and Autumn could be nice.

silja

If you want this year, and want after June, I'd recommend mid September to October. July/ August is terribly hot and humid as Black Swan said, and also US summer school holidays, which means the more touristy places will be packed.

Check out this recent thread which may give you some inspiration: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056853988

coylemj

silja wrote: »

If you want this year, and want after June, I'd recommend mid September to October. July/ August is terribly hot and humid as Black Swan said, and also US summer school holidays, which means the more touristy places will be packed.

Check out this recent thread which may give you some inspiration: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056853988

+1 Extremly hot (40 C) and frequent thunderstorms which involve such heavy rain that you'll have to pull over on the highway because you won't be able to see out the windscreen. You will need to avoid all outdoor daytime activities.

It's why Arizona doesn't observe daylight saving time, they last thing they need is to delay the time of sunset because they can't go outdoors for any kind of recreation until the sun sets.

Avoid July+August.

InTheTrees

I honestly dont know much about the south. I've been to NO and to Atlanta and Missouri but thats all.

But I agree about memphis/nashville, I have no desire to hear any country music!

If it were me...I think New Orleans is a great place to start. After that I'd head north into Mississippi then east into Alabama and into Georgia, aiming to end up in Savannah or Charleston.

NO > Jackson > Columbus > Savannah

Just as a basic route that would really give you thorough tour. About 500 miles? Maybe thats too short?

InTheTrees

+1000 on all those Avoid Summer recommendations.

Its very easy in cold windswept Ireland to equate Heat with a Nice Climate.

But those southern summers are unbearable. The humidity is so high you cant function outdoors, the air is like breathing hot cotton wool. And you'll be completely soaking Wet in seconds. You feel like your drowning. And there's no cooling breezes from the sea because you're far inland.

And then there's mosquitoes.

Its not as overall hot as further west but its the humidity that makes it unbearable.

110 degrees in Arizona is more bearable than 95 degs in new Orleans.

narddog

Was in Memphis a few years ago. Had a ball. It's a little run down, but Beale Street, Sun Studios and Graceland were a lot of fun. Food is great too.

Munstermissy

New Orleans to Atlanta is a 10 hour drive and then a further 7 hours direct to Memphis. A lot of driving on boring highways.. As previously mentioned avoid July/august as the heat is sweltering. New Orleans is fab though would love to go back again.

Maybe fly into Atlanta and head to South Carolina. Charleston is a 5 hour drive and absolutely beautiful. Was there July 2011 and melted there even though it was on the coast. You could head south to Savannah or North to Myrtle Beach, etc. Nashville is a 4 hour drive from Atlanta and even though I'm not into country music, had a good time there, would recommend Roberts bar, nothing flash about it but great spot.

Can I come too??? :-)

ProudDUB

Munstermissy wrote: »

New Orleans to Atlanta is a 10 hour drive and then a further 7 hours direct to Memphis. A lot of driving on boring highways.

New Orleans to Atlanta can be easily done in 6-7 hours if you drive straight thru. It's only 470 miles. That's nothing on US freeways. It is a very, very boring drive though, with eff all to do or see along the way. Biloxi is cool to stop off at and catch some rays on the Gulf Coast, or drop a few bob in the Hard Rock Casino. That's about the only half ways entertaining thing there is to see or do between Atlanta and New Orleans.

New Orleans to Memphis would be a much, much more fun road trip to do imo. There are lots of really cool plantations & historic stuff to see on the river road as you head north along the Mississippi River. OP, for all of its romance and history and culture, the US Deep South is still a largely rural, agricultural and very, very poor part of the US, compared to the North East for example. Once you get out of the big cities, the rich/poor & white/black divides can be quite shocking, so prepare yourself for that.

323

Personally I would rather head west on I-10. Little over 5 hours to Houston same distance as Atlanta, friends would disagree but not a huge amount to offer tourists but less than an hour down to Nasa, some of the nicer areas of the Gulf coast. San Antonio's a few hours to the North West,interesting to visit, Alamo etc. Sea world Texas just outside, not far to Austin (good nightlife) from there. What can I say, of the Gulf states my favorite is Texas


Should point out. not the nicest time of year to visit down there, autumn/spring fine, winter is great. Summer is awful like people in Ireland just don't realize

InTheTrees wrote: »

+1000 on all those Avoid Summer recommendations.

Its very easy in cold windswept Ireland to equate Heat with a Nice Climate.

But those southern summers are unbearable. The humidity is so high you cant function outdoors, the air is like breathing hot cotton wool. And you'll be completely soaking Wet in seconds. You feel like your drowning. And there's no cooling breezes from the sea because you're far inland.

And then there's mosquitoes.

Its not as overall hot as further west but its the humidity that makes it unbearable.

110 degrees in Arizona is more bearable than 95 degs in new Orleans.

Obviously spend a good bit of time there also. Biggest mossies in the world in my experience, get you through denim.

Aprilmay

I'm living in Charlotte North Carolina and summer in the south is hot, I think you really need to include Charlston and Savannah in your trip