Looking for help from you Professionals for best routes to take hauling a heavy load

Hi Everyone,

Looking to get some valueable information from men and women that haul everyday. I will be taking off Friday, on the overnight, for a 650 miles trip to Perry,Ga from the St. Louis area hauling my very big and heavy 38 foot full living quarter horse trailer fully loaded. Empty truck and trailer tip the 12 ton scale. I have been trying to figure out the best route to take to Perry, Ga and figured that I would get the best information from you guys. You travel the roads every day and mapquest does not do justice to the real life info.
Many people have been telling me the shortest route is just 55 to nashville, to chattanooga to atlanta then perry. I woud prefer to not go thru the mountains around chatanooga as I am not pulling a light trailer. Just had brakes, rotors and pads put on new, but was wondering if there are any better roads with out the huge hills thru MS, AL THEN GA?

I appreciate any information that you guys/girls can give me. I am used the the hills in Missouri where I am a little bit apprehensive about steep hills that seem to go on for ever. I dont mind a little longer trip that is a little easier on my truck.

Thanks a buch everyone,
K

 

just one option....

I64 is under construction around St Louis.

http://goo.gl/maps/0CmU

The guys on here from ACT seem to be in that neighborhood so you may want to get there attention some.

 

That map didn't work for me? I ran that route so many times I can't count them.

I-64 east, I-57 south, I-24 east, I-75 south.

I-24 merges with I-40 in Nashville, TN with multiple lanes. As you approach the first split be in the right lane. Then immediately after work your way to the two left lanes for the second split to the left. Then immediately after work your way to the right lane for the third split coming up. After the third split stay in the left lane as the right lane splits off. Right left right left helps.

There's a couple truck stops when you first get on I-57 off of I-64. First exit Mount Vernon, IL.

When you cross the bridge into KY there is another truck stop at Exit 3. Another at exit 27.

Nashville, I would wait until you got on the other side if you want to stop. There is one at the first exit after the first split but it's small and not the greatest. After the last split when you are back on I-24.... Exit 62, Exit 64 and Exit 81 all have truck stops.

Then next city is Chattanooga. On the other side you'll get on I-75 south and enter GA. Trucks stops at exit 328 and 326. Exit 326 Carbondale Road is a nice big one. Left off the ramp.

Further down are more at exit 320 and 296.

Atlanta they want trucks to bypass on I-285. Go around the west side. Exit 259. Be in the 4th lane from the center concrete wall. The 4th lane will go straight and exit. Stay to the right and exit. Stay in that lane and it will put you on I-285 west. If you need to stop there is a truck stop at exit 16 and exit 12. Nice stops but not the best neighborhoods. Exit 12 is behind a fence and has guards. Left off the ramp.

On the bypass trucks are restricted to the two right lanes. Be careful at the I-20 and I-85 splits you have to stay to the left and want to side step to the left as you approach them splits. After you go under the airport tunnel work your way to the right lane for the I-75 split. Once you first hit the I-75 ramp it splits again. North to the left, south to the right. Once on the south ramp hang left as the right lane disappears. The rest is easy.

 

or.........

bypass choo choo altogether..........

run down to memphis, cut thru da woods......

 

The " mountains " around Chattanooga aren't that bad but what are you using to pull that trailer ? What is the loaded weight ? Do you have a Jake brake ?

 

CondoCruiser,

It has been a long time since traveling that route and it has only been by car, at midnight in the rain and I hated it.
How many miles of steep hills are there? My truck pulls fine, but I have never really asked it to run hard for an extended length of time and am just aprehensive about it. Do not want to be on the side of the road with 3 kids and 4 horses in this heat.
Have you ever run thru memphis thru alabama into georgia? I have been told that there are a lot fewer mountains to cross I live far enough south of st. louis that I would run 55 south at least into sikeston before cutting over east anyway.

Thanks,
K

 

by passing choo-choo would also mean missing Hotlanta.

something to consider.........

 

yeah, that what im kinda wanting to do. been on the maps this morning and it looks like they have a lot of construction thru nashville, chattanooga and i hear atlanta absolutely sucks.
I found a route that goes memphis, to birmingham then it takes be back up to atlanta, but i am sure there is a bypass simiar to St. Louis's 270.
If you were going to miss chattanooga and atlanta what route would you take?

Have you been on these roads recently
78 out of tupelo
22 to birmingham
20 up to atland or any cut across that arent to to back woods

thanks

 

Well, you ignored my question about your truck . Since you mentioned brake rotors and pads and think a 38 foot trailer is big and heavy I'm guessing you might have a 1 ton pickup. If that's the case you might have gotten better advice in the hotshot and expedite forums.
Whatever the case the condition of your trailer brakes is just as crucial as your truck brakes.

 

Rick,
Sirry I didn't respond. I missed the question when I was reading earlier. Yes you are correct , I have a 1 ton, f350 with 550 suspension And a 6.0 in it. Trailer is newer and has hydraulic over electricbrakes I have never had a problem yet with it but have not pushed it. I did pull thru the hills between fort smith, AR and Oklahoma. Guess I am being over cautious since I have not personally pulled either routes before and will be running on the overnight. I'm sorry if I am in the wrong forum, I will try hotshots.
Thanks
k