I'm leaving in the morning on a drive from Dallas, TX to Charlottesville, VA to attend a family funeral on Sunday, 2 Jan 2022. I'm planning on doing it in 3 days, driving about 400-450 miles a day, using I-30, I-40, I-81, and I-64. That plan suggests overnights near Memphis, TN and Knoxville, TN, but I have flexibility in just where to stop.

The weather is not going to be cold and snowy, thank the Lord, but there is expected to be rain.

Does anyone have suggestions or warnings about where to stop (or not)?

flashguy

Have a safe trip Flashguy.

There are some very bad areas around Memphis.

ETA:

Memphis has been ranked as the most dangerous city in the United States, according to a 24/7 Wall St. ... Memphis is also ranked with the second highest homicide rate than any U.S. metro area. In 2019, there were 237 homicides reported. That number climbed to 327 in 2020, which is about a 38 percent increase.Dec 9, 2021

I travel to Knoxville frequently. Nice town. I stay at the Hilton downtown. There is a great Mexican restaurant called Soccer Taco that is a short walk. I highly recommend it. I have done the drive from Knoxville to Fairfax VA a few times. I-81 is a beautiful drive.

Flash, avoid Memphis. It's now the a$$hole of the south.

I live 75 miles NW of there and it is a catastrophe in all ways, especially violent crime. If memory serves, Memphis is #1 in the nation in carjacking and near the top in overall violent crime. I used to travel there all the time for barbeque at the Rendezvous, rock concerts, Germantown mall...not anymore. Bluest of the blue cesspool cities and downright dangerous. Too risky, IMHO.

Knoxville is a much nicer and cleaner city not known for violent crime.

There are several Hilton or Marriott properties in the Wolfchase area off I40 just east of Memphis. Its not the best area, but its not downtown and probably just fine for staying a night and keeping your wits about you and head on a swivel as you would any where else.

There is a Hampton Inn in Collierville which is a fairly sleepy and relatively safe city just outside of Germantown and Memphis. Not as on your way as the ones of the interstate up near Wolfchase.

I can't vouch for it but there is a very new Fairfield Inn in Arlington, another sleepier city surrounding the greater Memphis area. Its a newer, growing city where a lot of people are moving to due to its slightly more rural atmosphere. If I were going to stop in Memphis on the way east I would probably go with this one.

If you are adventurous and want to be where the action is in Memphis the Peabody is a very historic hotel right in the heart of the city. You can also stay in the lodge at the Pyramid Bass Pro Shop that is a huge tourist attraction and has ample parking that is probably pretty safe, although it too is in very close proximity to downtown.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sigfan Roy,

Knoxville is another 5.5 hours past Memphis from Dallas.

I lived in Collierville for 18 years, moved last year about 8 miles away, just into Fayette county (Piperton). Yes Memphis is a big city with a per capita crime rate that rivals Detroit and Chicago. There are plenty of areas in the vicinity of Memphis that are as safe as any other area of the country.

I do agree that Knoxville is a very cool city and if you can stretch your first day that far (or even just to Jackson TN (where it sounds like jbourne lives)) I'm sure there are plenty of decent places to stay there.

I wouldn't hesitate to stop outside of Memphis though based on the crime stats of downtown Memphis. If you do get into Germantown, Collierville, Piperton, Rossville, Lakeland, Arlington or Oakland, TN (all surrounding small cities) do watch your speed. Our local police are very conscientious about pulling over speeders. Some might call them traps, just be forewarned.

Thanks for the suggestions. Germantown and Collierville are not adjacent to I-40. Arlington is maybe a little farther than I want to go the first day (I don't usually get as early a start on Day 1).

The Wolfchase area appears to be just east of Memphis, and there are a number of accommodations available along I-40 east of Bartlett (TN-177). That would be about 470 miles and my mapping software says I'd be there in the mid-afternoon (before 1800--I don't want to drive at night).

There is no way I could stretch my Day 1 to Knoxville.

Do you think that would be a good place to stop?

FWIW, one of my 2 best friends used to live in Fairfax, VA. He recently moved to a town just across the West Virginia line.

flashguy

ETA: If on Day 2 I were to stay at Kingsport, TN (939 miles from Dallas), it would leave only 276 miles for the last leg. That would be a drive of 470 miles on Day 2. I think that would be doable.

I hear there are a few job openings in Memphis.

Turns out they need some new Tail Gunners on the Budweiser delivery trucks.

Good luck!
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quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
Thanks for the suggestions. Germantown and Collierville are not adjacent to I-40. Arlington is maybe a little farther than I want to go the first day (I don't usually get as early a start on Day 1).

The Wolfchase area appears to be just east of Memphis, and there are a number of accommodations available along I-40 east of Bartlett (TN-177). That would be about 470 miles and my mapping software says I'd be there in the mid-afternoon (before 1800--I don't want to drive at night).

There is no way I could stretch my Day 1 to Knoxville.

Do you think that would be a good place to stop?

FWIW, one of my 2 best friends used to live in Fairfax, VA. He recently moved to a town just across the West Virginia line.

flashguy

ETA: If on Day 2 I were to stay at Kingsport, TN (939 miles from Dallas), it would leave only 276 miles for the last leg. That would be a drive of 470 miles on Day 2. I think that would be doable.

I would try to get past Memphis and make it to Nashville. The better area there to get a motel for your overnight is probably on the I-440 loop south of downtown.

Flashguy: Arlington is only 10 miles east of the Wolfchase area. Would probably be a much easier off and on the highway at the Arlington exit.

Just a friendly fyi about driving in VA. The cops are pretty strict about speeding and I would suggest keeping your speed to no more than 5 over.

Also, radar detectors are illegal here.

Safe travels.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:
Just a friendly fyi about driving in VA. The cops are pretty strict about speeding and I would suggest keeping your speed to no more than 5 over.

Also, radar detectors are illegal here.

Safe travels.

Late to the party Flashguy. First have a safe trip, and second, heed smlsig's advice.

In VA going 10mph over the speed limit is a CRIMINAL offense. Penalty is up to $1000 and 1 year in jail. They treat it like DUI according to the attorney we had to hire for my daughter going 81mph to pass a truck on I81.

Cost us $1000 in fines/attorney fees and she had to do 20-30 hours (I don't remember the exact amount) of community service in VA.

OK, folks, thanks for all the suggestions and warnings. I'm wrapping up my preps and hope to get on the road about 0900.

flashguy

I81 around Lexington is a bad section due to the down hill resulting in a lot of wrecks. Have a safe trip.

Safe travels.

If you’re going through Boones Mill/Roanoke County,VA, stick strictly to the speed limit. The whole damn area is a speed trap and they LOVE out of state plates.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigfan Roy:
Flashguy: Arlington is only 10 miles east of the Wolfchase area. Would probably be a much easier off and on the highway at the Arlington exit.

I agree with Sigfan Roy since Knoxville is too far.

Update. I left home about 0900 and made it to Lakeland, TN for the first night (Super 8). Left on Friday about 0855 and stopped at Morristown, TN (Super 8) for the second night. I'm writing this from there.

East of Memphis on I-40 I made a wrong choice at a Y and ended up on I-24 going SE. Eventually admitted to the error and took a weird route to fix it--near Plainview jumped off I-24 onto US-41 going NW (backtracking), then TN-99 to US-231 going north to intercept I-40. From there all was well.

Tomorrow I'll keep going up I-81 to Stanton, VA and use I-84 on to Charlottesville. I've got 3 nights reserved at the Staybridge Suites Airport hotel. The memorial service is on Sunday afternoon.

So far, so good.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:

East of Memphis on I-40 I made a wrong choice at a Y and ended up on I-24 going SE. Eventually admitted to the error and took a weird route to fix it--near Plainview jumped off I-24 onto US-41 going NW (backtracking), then TN-99 to US-231 going north to intercept I-40.

flashguy

Dang, you probably got within 20 miles of me... once that far you probably would have made better time to stay on 24 to Chattanooga then 75 back up to 40 / Knoxville. Pretty drive, we often take that way from here to the smokies.

Safe travels sir!