Hello All,

So once again I am looking for any feedback or comments related to my upcoming trip.. Im interested in hearing about points of interest, great roads, affordable hotels and good eateries - or any good web sites that you think might be beneficial.Somewhere on or around May 1st, two or three of us are going to head out on a roundtrip to Amarillo Texas...not looking to ride the superhighway if we dont need to - but will when we have to....The only suggestion one person had was to ride rte 66 on the way home....So this is the way I envision the route going...btw, I know nothing can be etched in stone due to all of the different variables we could encounter..Also, Im not really concerned about the mileage each day, we have been riding together for a long time and know our limits....

Day 1 - NY - Front Royal Virginia
Day 2 - Front Royal Skyline Drive to Asheville NC
Day 3- Asheville to Memphis Tenn
Day 4 - Memphis to Witchita Falls Texas
Day 5 - Witchita Falls to Amarillo

In Amarillo going to hookup with some friends and do the Big texan challenge...hang out for a day or two and turn it around...

The trip from Amarillo to NY looks like this:

Day 1 - Amarillo to Oklahoma City
Day 2 - Oklahoma City to Springfield Missouri
Day 3 - Springfield to Joliet Illinois (day 1,2,3 doing as much as Rte 66 as possible)
Day 4 Joliet to Cleveland Ohio
Day 5 Cleveland to NY

Would appreciate any feedback anyone can offer. Thanks and safe riding!

 

Not sure if you are doing interstate or backroads most of the way, but I would pick an alternate route across AR to avoid I-40. Going west from Memphis across AR it's heavy traffic and lots of trucks. Pretty scary even in a car. Can't speak to I-40 east of Memphis. US64 from

US70 west all the way across AR and into TX would be okay but you'll have lots of small towns to go through. Getting around Memphis and Little Rock is not too bad on a weekday away from rush hour. You can pick up US70 in West Memphis. At Little Rock take I-440 to I-30 then back on US70 just past Benton. US70 runs just north of Wichita Falls.

US64 from near Asheville to Memphis is a pretty nice ride except for getting around Chattanooga. Again, avoid the rush hour times.

Enjoy the trip!

 

I have enjoyed a good steak and mountain oysters a couple of times at The Big Texan in Amarillo.

 

GTMalone...this is exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for! Many Thanks...My goal, once I reach Virginia is to utilize the least amount of interstates that I can...I usually mapquest the days ride and them zoom in to see the smaller highways...Your suggestions are good ones, which when I start mapping out route, will definitely use. I need to find a site that shows the actual speed limit on each states highway so i can get a feel for how fast you can go on thee smaller roads! THANKS!!! SAFE TRAVELS

 

You're welcome! Another suggestion if you have time is to ride the Cherohala Skyway in NC and TN. This is one of the nicest roads I've ever been on. Be sure to double check my directions!

At Maggie Valley, NC take US19 to Bryson City.
US74 to near Almond.
NC28 to Stecoah.
NC143 to Robbinsville.
Continue on NC143 (Cherohala) to Tellico Plains, TN

You can pick backroads around the north side of Chattanooga to avoid some of the city and work your way to US64 west of Chattanooga.

TN39 Tellico to Athens
TN30 To Pikeville
US127 to Jasper
US41 to Monteagle
US41A to US64 near Cowan

 

PS - If you go through Maggie, you should see Wheels Through Time. Pretty cool place.

 

When you get into Wichita Falls to spend the night, there's a cluster of Motels right on U.S. 287, within a 1/4 of the split off of I44. You will continue on 287 to Amarillo.

Out of that group of Motels, I would probably recommend staying at the Red Roof Inn. Reasonable rates and fairly nice.

There's another route to a nicer area of town, with nicer, newer Hotels, and closer to all the restaurants, such as Texas Roadhouse (great steaks), but you have to get off of 287.

Then there's the Legendary Deuce, P2. The Deuce is Wichita Falls oldest bar, is Grandfathered in. You can sit outside and drink on your bike or truck. Plus they have good bar food.

If you need help the one night your are here, you can pm me and I'll give you my cell.

Also, as soon as you hit 287 at the split, there's a big HD Dealership right there within a mile or so, take the City View exit. Red River HD...

 

US 70 also runs thru dozens and dozens of small towns, with speed limits of 30 mph, red lights, etc....

If you go a bit further South, US 82 from Paris Tx runs to Wichita Falls, speed limit is 70 or 75, and not as many small towns. It runs right along the Red River on the TX side.

 

I cant help you on your route but.... If your are staying in Springfield, Mo you need to eat at Lambert's cafe in Ozark, mo. Its a few miles south of Springfield right off of US 65. Good food and throwed rolls with free sides. Enjoy your trip.
https://throwedrolls.com/lamberts-cafe-ii/

 

Gtmalone, looks like you have mapped my route from Asheville to Texas!!!!....Im wondering how much time to allow for taking these more scenic routes...have you ever gone this route? Im not too concerned if we happen to fall behind on time (need to be home for Mothers day - 2018...ha haha)...we could always jump on the Interstate...or if we're having that good of a time, always cut the distance off the end of the trip....Looks like an awesome route you've given me...I appreciate you taking time out of your day. rest assured I will post pics and summarize the trip along the way!!! Im working on creating my journey East to West now....im going to come back at ya for my return trip...friend wants to do a portion of Route 66. THANKS AGAIN for all of your guidance.
Jim