[BirdmanA1A]

Hello BUSA . . .

I am doing my next trip to SC to see my family, solo, so I want to do it on my stock 400. In the car I go the usual I-75 to I-26, but Im hoping I might find something a little slower and more scenic. I would like to avoid stop 'n go situations, but I guess its hard to have one without the other :confused1:
Any suggestions on reasonable(55mph?) alternatives for this trip??

Thank you very much in advance!!

Regards
LM in KY

 

[mjustice5898]

Just to give you a rough idea, I did a MapQuest route from Louisville to Charleston. In order to get the "avoid highways" option, the trip had to be broken down into "legs" - if the trip is over a certain number of miles, it forces a highway option. We did this on our trip to NC through TN from Lexington and also on our trip to W. Va. It worked pretty well. At least it will give you a rough idea of a possible route.

Cheers,

From Louisville:

US 31E → US 150

US 150 → US 27S (crossing into TN)

US 27S → US 441 (from Knoxville to Columbia, SC)

US 441S → US 23S

US 23S → US 76 (crossing into SC)

US 76/US 123 N → SC 28 Bypass

SC 28 → SC 72

SC 72 → US 25

US 25 → US 178/ 378E

US 21S → US 176E (from Columbia to Charleston)

US 176E → US 601

US 601 → US 21S

US 21S → US 78E

US 78E → US 52E

 

[BirdmanA1A]

Just to give you a rough idea, I did a MapQuest route from Louisville to Charleston. In order to get the "avoid highways" option, the trip had to be broken down into "legs" - if the trip is over a certain number of miles, it forces a highway option. We did this on our trip to NC through TN from Lexington and also on our trip to W. Va. It worked pretty well. At least it will give you a rough idea of a possible route.

Cheers,

From Louisville:

Hey neighbor :wave:

Wow mjustice!
Thank you very much for taking time to break down the trip like that!
Very nice of you to do that for me. Very much appreciated~
Im sort of new to this region and not very confident to go-it without a lot of info before hand. This will give me a great start in planning things.
About a four-cuppercoffee2 as far as itinerary planning goes

Again, thank you so much for this info!!

Safe travels and regards,
LM in Loovul

 

[TwoWheelTim]

Beautiful scenery in KY I have been twice this year.

I 75 is nuts, I rode on it for one exit and had all I could take. I would rather be lost than take it.

Have a great ride.

 

[Wes_Ingram]

Just a "Heads up": US23 from the VA/TN line is now I26 to NC, I'm not sure if you can pick up the "old road" in NC. If you take the US23 marked route at the VA/TN line, it will end at Center St. in downtown Kingsport, TN. Good luck and ride safe!

 

[BirdmanA1A]

Beautiful scenery in KY I have been twice this year.

I 75 is nuts, I rode on it for one exit and had all I could take. I would rather be lost than take it.

Have a great ride.

Im sort of new here, and we do have beautiful countryside. Some parts of it almost remind me of New England! Thanks for well-wishes!

Just a "Heads up": US23 from the VA/TN line is now I26 to NC, I'm not sure if you can pick up the "old road" in NC. If you take the US23 marked route at the VA/TN line, it will end at Center St. in downtown Kingsport, TN. Good luck and ride safe!

Thank you for the heads-up Wes!!!
I will remember this and google the area, pre-ride to try to see what I will be in for. That area is also beautiful, so if I get a little lost(??) no big deal!

Thanks again!

LM in KY

 

[bigfoot]

Before leaving, you might want to check each state's DOT site to see if your planned routes are under construction or subject to detours.

I travel both ways about equally, back roads and freeways.
I average over 65 MPH on freeways and around 35-40 MPH on backroads.
As long as you have the time and don't fret about how many miles you can do in a day, the backroads are fine.

There are a few drawbacks to backroad travel.
Increased chances of an accident or flat tire are realities that you have to accept.
Road conditions are never as good as you'll find on freeways.
Following someone traveling at 5 MPH under the speed limit for 20 miles due to double yellow lines the entire time can get REAL FRUSTRATING!

 

[BirdmanA1A]

Before leaving, you might want to check each state's DOT site to see if your planned routes are under construction or subject to detours.

I travel both ways about equally, back roads and freeways.
I average over 65 MPH on freeways and around 35-40 MPH on backroads.
As long as you have the time and don't fret about how many miles you can do in a day, the backroads are fine.

There are a few drawbacks to backroad travel.
Increased chances of an accident or flat tire are realities that you have to accept.
Road conditions are never as good as you'll find on freeways.
Following someone traveling at 5 MPH under the speed limit for 20 miles due to double yellow lines the entire time can get REAL FRUSTRATING!

Thank you bigfoot!
I can see by your avatar you have done some traveling :walk:
I am going to take a flat repair kit and I have flatbed service from Progressive. Im different than most riders though . . . I love going slow.
I never hold people up, but if I can find someone who is going 5 or so under, I tuck right in behind them
Great tip about checking TN, NC and SC DOT websites too . . . The Charleston area ALWAYS has bad construction going on. Never really worry about it in a car, but the bike will be a whole different thing. Ive done a lot of 12 hour days on motorcycles, but there were always friends along and they were motorcycles. For some reason I have a weird feeling about small tires and solo on freeways. Just a "me" thing though . . .

Regards,

LM in KY

 

[Ascender]

Hello BUSA . . .

I am doing my next trip to SC to see my family, solo, so I want to do it on my stock 400. In the car I go the usual I-75 to I-26, but Im hoping I might find something a little slower and more scenic. I would like to avoid stop 'n go situations, but I guess its hard to have one without the other :confused1:
Any suggestions on reasonable(55mph?) alternatives for this trip??

Thank you very much in advance!!

Regards
LM in KY

How about this:
- your favorite route to pick up US 421 (probably over near Lexington or Frankfort)
- 421 all the way to Boone NC (this takes you through Bristol VA / TN, then through the Snake at Shady Valley)
- US 321 from Boone to Columbia SC
- US 176 from Columbia to Charleston

You'll get a few medium-sized towns and a few stretches of four-lane, but most of it is some of the better two-laning through the mountains, with a high fun factor.

Enjoy, and Ride Safe!