Looking to make the trip from the Tyler, TX area to River Glen Farms in TN and searching online for the best routes with layover stops. I thought I’d ask the minds and see if anyone has suggestions. I am looking to split it into 2 days.
Or better question- looking at the map, I have 2 options- through Memphis and Nashville or farther south through Jackson, Birmingham, and Chatanooga- trying to get a feel on which is better traffic wise with a trailer- my gut says skip Memphis and Nashville.
I haven’t been in that area for over 20 years but recently there was a COTH thread that said Nashville traffic had become insane, as the city had seen huge population growth without infrastructure upgrades.
the distance is about 700 miles, there really is no need for layover in most cases
Check with a professional hauler such as Equine Express, their headquarters in north of Dallas so they will have multiple transports going that route
We’re hauling a full 6 horse trailer during summer peak heat- we are preferring to split it up into two days to be able to start early and get the horses out of the trailer and into a layover facility before the afternoon hits instead of baking in the trailer in the 100+ degree heat that’s hitting this part of the country. No need for a professional, just looking for route suggestions.
This is why I came here to ask. I was thinking traffic and safety going through the Nashville area with all of the growth that has happened recently.
I haven’t made the trip, but if it was me, I would tend to the route through Birmingham over Memphis and Nashville. (I’ve lived in North Mississippi & North Alabama, so between the 2 routes…)
But maybe easier to find some layover facilities along the Memphis route over the other. So, have you found layover options for either route? That may be a consideration.
I was able to convince everyone that was the smarter decision 
We are all set up to go through Louisiana and Birmingham. Takes a lot of stress off of having to deal with the Memphis and Nashville traffic.
I haven’t hauled that route, but I have driven it in a regular car and have lived in TN most of my life. Take the I-40 route. Nashville and Memphis traffic are not fun, but Birmingham and, especially, Chattanooga, can be absolute nightmares. There is a major construction project happening in Chattanooga right now, making the situation even worse than usual.
The Memphis area will be more or less your halfway point. There are some fairly horsey suburbs there where you can probably find a layover location. If you want to PM me, I’m happy to reach out to friends in that area for ideas.
Are you accustomed to hauling in very hilly terrain? If not, do prepare yourself for the final portion of your journey.
Are they STILL doing that road work in Chattanooga? A number of years ago I drove up to Tamara in Tennessee’s place to buy hay. I had to drive through Chattanooga- right through the business section pulling a trailer with a bunch of hay. Narrow road with barrels all over the place and it twisted and turned with me dodging the 18 wheelers and barrels. Strange left turn on interstate but finally I was on I59 back to Birmingham.
So a number of years later I had to take the route again and go through Chattanooga. Same construction, same barrels, same torn up road. It didn’t look like anything had been done since the first time I went through there. Luckily I was pulling hay and not a horse trailer, but still… So check with the locals to see if Chattanooga is still that strange mess.
I wouldn’t hit Birmingham going south on I65 on a Friday afternoon either. But you probably won’t be going that far south.
According to the map I looked at, they would never get on 65, just doing I-20 to I-59, which just crosses over 65, but never getting on it. Otherwise I wouldn’t suggest 65 on a Friday either - I try to avoid it too!
Ah, yes, but the locals don’t call that crossover/interchange spot “malfunction junction” for nothing. Granted, it is much better than it used to be, but it can still be a bear.
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