I picked a neutral start point. (Doesn't really matter where) This was done on Mapquest.

Time is about the same according to Mapquest. Route #2 is about 40 miles longer. So the difference is not huge.

Route #1: There is a greater potential to get delayed on Route #1. If the group is tired and feels straight roads are more adviseable, then route #2 is better. The road cutting through the Smoky Mountains is fantastic (after Gatlinburg.) Perhaps it is more exciting than the route from I-40 at RT74.

If we have no traffic (read as slow semis, Grandmas or campers) Route #1 should go very fast.

Route #2: If the group is tired from a long drive and the butt is getting numb, then perhaps route #2 is safer and a little quicker. There are better chances to pass slow cars on this route.

 

^^ Taking the above into account, I am open either way. I think if conditions are right, the group would have more fun on Route #1. Since Route #2 is longer than I thought and the time is basically the same, I lean to #1.

As for getting split up, the route stays on the same road until RT 28 in NC. We can assign three leaders and three groups. (If we have a large caravan.) The leaders will have radios and communicate together.

Each group follows a leader. The leaders will set the pace and try to space out the groups through the fun areas so we don't get bunched up and slow down the rear of the pack.

If we end up with a small group, two leaders will be fine. One in front one in middle.

 

I'm down for either route... I like two lanes and I'm used to 8 hour drives without stopping.

 

Im probably in. As long as my wheels are in in time... SHOULD be. I don't care what route just tell me where to meet and when.

 

Sweet! What wheels are you going with? What are you doing with your Enkei's?

 

I agree, I remember the first time we went there we stayed in Gatlinburg and drove to Pigeon Forge and the surroundings. We had great fun driving that short strech to Pigeon Forge. There is this other road that goes up the hill, it comes on way to PF and you take a right from there. That road is also a lot of fun with blind corners and all.

 

That is the bypass. You find an almost hidden enterance on the right about 500' after the end of Pigeon Forge. I've had a lot of fun on that road with the rental Ferrari 348 Spyder. I got on this road in the 348 and blew past this old man in a pickup truck. He gave us the finger. So I went a few miles down the road, turned around and blew past him going the other direction. One more finger. Turned around and blew past him again. Yet another finger. Two more times and the last pass he was finally laughing. We must have passed him five times before he was halfway through the bypass.

 

Rental Ferrari, Nice! Where do you get that? How much do they cost and what about the insurance?

That is a funny story. There is only so many times you can show a finger, he must have gotten tired ... LOL

 

I was the first and last rental of this car. LOL. I'll have to tell you that story down at ZdayZ.

Here are a couple pictures before I hit the raccoon.



This was taken on the Dragon:

 

OUCH

 

The List is growing!

Updated List:


1. PulpZ, 2009 370Z, Dayton OH
2. FuszNissan, 2009 370Z, St. Louis MO
3. Mekatoka, 2008 350Z, Canton, MI
4. Phreakdout, 2004 350Z Roadster, Ypsilanti, MI
5. sig11, 2009, 2009 370Z, Ferndale, MI
6. StlRedrider, 2009 370Z, St. Louis, MO
7. SmoothZ, 2003 350Z, Twin Cities, MN
8. silverbullet Z, Twin Cities, MN
9. MyV6IsFast3r , 2004 350Z, Worthington, OH
10. ZkindaGuy, 2009 370Z, Ohio (MAYBE)
11. drivessidewayz, 2006, 350Z, Ohio (MAYBE)
12.
13.

...

 

I've not driven 441 in it's entirety, only in Pigeon Forge. I would prefer a shorter route, but I also want to really enjoy the drive. Although it is stop and go in Pigeon Forge, it's not the kind of traffic that should create and prolonged delays. So it really doesn't matter to me.

How about we go ahead and plan on taking 441 through Pigeon Forge?

This would be the route from the meeting point in Lexington KY (Chick-fil-A)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...h&z=8&dirflg=d

 

All the fun starts after Gatlinburg.

Follow the road on Google Maps. Street view is available the whole way.

 

OK!

Meet time / Departure Time from Chick-fil-A?

Thinking in reverse, Google says 5 hours (it's always over estimated.) We want to be at Fontana Village Resort by 5-6 at the latest? This meet time will determine our departure time in Michigan.

 

How about arrival time between 11:00-11:30 AM, with a departure time of 12 PM?

I'm thinking you guys roll through Dayton at 8:45-9 AM, we hit Cincinnati 10AM and Lexington at 11:15 AM?

Lots of construction on I-75 downtown Dayton and north of Cincinnati, so its better not to try to come through during rush hour.

 

A buddy of mine lives and works in Cincy. I'll check with him on a recommend route for that time of day. We may want to take I-275 around Cincy to stay on schedule. Just a thought.

 

Late Morning during the week in Cincy will be fine. The I-275 loop is huge. I used to go down to Erlanger, KY a lot during this time and it was always fine. Early am and late pm are different stories.

 

This means Michigan guys need to leave the meet spot no later than 6am. (5:45am preferred)

I'm sure we can handle that. Any issues guys?

 

...
I ...
can make it...
:V

 

I can make it by 5:45 too. Any earlier, I doubt it. I am not a morning person at all