South - Driving Memphis to Lynchburg (the one in Tennessee)

In two weeks my wife will attend a conference in Memphis, and then we'll be driving eastword. First stops will be Lynchburg and Kelso, to visit distilleries. Google Maps gives 3 options from Memphis to Lynchburg, which are, generally: 1) I-40, then cutting southeast through Columbia; 2) Hwy. 15 and US-65; or 3) US-72 east to Decatur then up through Huntsville on 231 and 431. While the third option would allow me to chalk off one more state, Alabama (never been there yet, despite being 60), I wonder if one of the first two would be more scenic.

After Lynchburg we'll head to Atlanta, then up to Asheville and on up to Baltimore. Thanks.

DD drives Route 72 Memphis- Chattanooga quite often. It goes through Huntsville. There are just way too many big rigs on Route 40!!! Its almost scary. RT 72 is a easier drive. Not really "scenic", but quieter. You do go by Helen Keller's birthplace.

My 2 cents.

DD drives Route 72 Memphis- Chattanooga quite often. It goes through Huntsville. There are just way too many big rigs on Route 40!!! Its almost scary. RT 72 is a easier drive. Not really "scenic", but quieter. You do go by Helen Keller's birthplace.

My 2 cents.

Thanks for the useful input. Quieter drive, Helen Keller's birthplace (didn't realize where she lived; I think my wife would particuarly enjoy seeing it) and another state on my list. Sounds like 72 may be the way. If we spend the night in Fayetteville, Tennessee rather than Lynchburg (since we may do tours just the next day, and one of two distilleries we want to go to-- Prechards--is in Kelso, closer to Fayetteville), Google Maps shows the quickest route after Keller's place to be up I-65, but going through Huntsville and then "smaller" highways is estimated at just 9 minutes longer. Hoping that we won't hit big crowds once we get to the Jack Daniel's distillery, sínce it'll be mid-February, and a weekday.