Natchez Trace parkway Q

[Stormy_Monday]

anyone drive the Natchez Trace parkway? Is it a good weekend? Any comparisons to the Blue Ridge Parkway?

grazie

[blueline]

anyone drive the Natchez Trace parkway? Is it a good weekend? Any comparisons to the Blue Ridge Parkway?

grazie

I've only been on a few short parts in TN. It's long at 450 or so miles with a lot of history along the way. I would think it would be good for a leisurely, historical exploration. Beautiful scenery, especially in Spring or after Fall colors have started. Lots of rolling hills, fields, pastures and such.

I'll ask around and see if anyone I know has anything to say. My wife is a bicycle rider and she's been on it so I'll ask her when she gets back later today. Pictures of it look pretty fine!

[signde]

Take care to observe the posted speed limits. That road is patrolled by rangers and their tickets are quite expensive. Parts of the trace especially where it starts here near Nashville have a low limit, like 40mph.

[ROB III]

I've known people that go from Nashville to Jackson Mississippi via Trace and they found it pleasant and relaxing as the 40/55 freeways are faster but heavy truck laden....BUT, as signde said above , watch the speed. Freeway moves faster, but perhaps more frustration with traffic and semi's. Trace is more leisurely so if its something sportier and intense you seek, try something else.

[blueline]

Wife has done a 100m bicycle ride from a point somewhere south of Leipers Fork to the AL border and back. (Approx 50 miles each way) and she said it's nice but would be more fun in a car. It's apparently not the best for cycling.

Lots of scenic areas and bypasses to explore along with other. Another nice aspect is that commercial traffic is supposedly prohibited along the entire route.

I did see where a 17 mile section in MS was scheduled to be repaved starting last month.

I know you've seen the usual internet sites but I'll link two anyway!

https://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

https://www.natcheztracetravel.com/

[RBM_911]

I have no specific info on the Natchez Trace but will reiterate what others have said on the speed limit in TN. We just came back to Atlanta from a backroads trip to Nashville. The speed limits are set very low and police presence is very high. We saw four lane highways with posted speed limits lower than neighborhood roads around here.

Also, lots of K band usage by local police officers so be aware.

We were not speeding (at least by normal person standards) but the radar detector saved us several times from obvious speed traps. Rolling along in 55 zone, the speed limit drops to 35 and a small city officer hiding behind a billboard like Barney Fife 400 yards later.

The interesting thing is that the interstates are pretty high speed flow of traffic. My (possibly ignorant) view is this is revenue raising in small towns.

Beautiful countryside and an enjoyable trip but better relaxed than spirited.

To be clear, not a knock on TN - we always enjoy our visits.

[ROB III]

Freeways always seem to flow faster, even with heavy truck traffic.
I drove to Auburn from Tuscaloosa primarily on 280 once and every town seemed to have a big drop in speed with quite a bit of coverage, so switched to freeway all the way for similar trips over the next several years for peace of mind and higher speed traffic flow.
BUT, if you are not in a hurry and need/want to stop frequently, secondary roads can be pleasant.

[blueline]

I have no specific info on the Natchez Trace but will reiterate what others have said on the speed limit in TN. We just came back to Atlanta from a backroads trip to Nashville. The speed limits are set very low and police presence is very high. We saw four lane highways with posted speed limits lower than neighborhood roads around here.

Also, lots of K band usage by local police officers so be aware.

We were not speeding (at least by normal person standards) but the radar detector saved us several times from obvious speed traps. Rolling along in 55 zone, the speed limit drops to 35 and a small city officer hiding behind a billboard like Barney Fife 400 yards later.

The interesting thing is that the interstates are pretty high speed flow of traffic. My (possibly ignorant) view is this is revenue raising in small towns.

Beautiful countryside and an enjoyable trip but better relaxed than spirited.

To be clear, not a knock on TN - we always enjoy our visits.

Natchez Trace is definitely meant to be a relaxing, historical drive, not like Tail of the Dragon, The Snake, etc. However, those intense drives with their magnificent and serious curves are also heavily patrolled. Too many drive well past their abilities on Tail and Snake - there have been significant numbers of bad crashes, especially involving motorcycles who ride like idiots. Lots of fatalities, many due to the fact that getting to a hospital or trauma center will generally take well over an hour. It's very rural, which is the pleasant side of the drives.

On a sad note, many cyclists (bicycles) have been killed on the Natchez Trace Pkwy, so that is extra incentive for the gendarmes to keep the speeds down. I mentioned a few days ago in this thread that my wife had previously done a 100 mile day ride on the Natchez some years ago but she didn't like it as she felt it wasn't safe. Too many distracted drivers speeding, especially in some of the more wide open spaces.

Yesterday, a few days after me posting that bit here about my wife, a person she knew well in her local bicycle club was killed riding her bike on the Natchez Trace. The girl was very young (23 I think), an avid and very fast cyclist, a serious marathoner and a triathlete. Some guy in a pickup was not paying attention and hit her. He's facing charges as I understand it. It's pretty sobering when it hits close to home like that.

[blueline]

Freeways always seem to flow faster, even with heavy truck traffic.
I drove to Auburn from Tuscaloosa primarily on 280 once and every town seemed to have a big drop in speed with quite a bit of coverage, so switched to freeway all the way for similar trips over the next several years for peace of mind and higher speed traffic flow.
BUT, if you are not in a hurry and need/want to stop frequently, secondary roads can be pleasant.

As you said Rob, freeways move much faster generally speaking and I certainly fly on them as often as possible. My trusty Valentine 1's, Waze, common sense, being highly observant, driving alertly and with conviction, etc. all help ensure no issues with the law or otherwise. And of course, I love the inevitable 100 mile an hour freeway driver who clears the path ahead.

Small towns on the other hand - anywhere and everywhere no matter the state - are a different story. The law is out to get you and often will. That seems to be their primary mission. I behave on two lanes and small towns for that reason and also because they are inherently far more dangerous too. Critters, molasses-slow drivers, blind driveways, oncoming traffic straying out of lane (head-ons are death), and more - all of that warrants a different driving style.

[Stormy_Monday]

thanks everyone. I will figure out how to drive this road next year. My drive next month will be the Tail of the Dragon/ Cherohala loop. Then visit daughter and fam north of Atlanta.