Hey everyone, planning on a drive from BNA to the DC area during Thanksgiving. Mapquest shot out a total distance of 660 miles, including east on I-40 and north on I-81.

Has anyone done this route before... I just want to know whether it is very mountainous (ie like I-15 through central Montana) or could you cruise relatively easy doing 75-80. We'll be driving through probably late night Thursday night to avoid -any- traffic (since everyone will be sleeping, full with turkey!)

Mostly easy cruise. 81 through VA is up the shenandoah valley. It is a little hilly, but certainly not like MT. 81 is 2 lanes each way most of the way. Then from I-81 you will head east on I-66. 66 is an easy cruise. 2 lanes each direction much of the way. Not to sure about I-40, but at somepoint you will have to cross the blue ridge mountains.

Nashville to Knoxville along I-40 is thu mountians, but it's interstate so relatively easy dirve unless there's heavy rain.

Konxville to Bristol,TN along I-40/I-81 is pretty smooth.

Bristol, VA to Harrisonburg,VA along I-81/I-64 is pretty smooth as well with some moutian grades.

A couple of tips if you aren't familiar with VA. State law does not permit radar dectors, maximum interstate speed is 65, and VA state police utilize unmarked patrol vechicals (cars & SUVs). I wounldn't push it over 75mph thru the Commonwealth.

Have a safe trip!

El Boocho and rwsatl: Thanks for the tips and info!

I do remember that VA/DC/MD do not allow radar detectors - I guess this trip I'll have to leave the V1 at home. Again, thanks!

Living in Nashville and going to school in Knoxville gave me frequent trips on this stretch. Should take you about 2 hours 15 minutes without stops. Knoxville usually has construction, so be careful of the speed drops.

Cookeville is a little less than half way (70 miles from Nashville, 100 miles to Knoxville) and is at the plateau... it's usually the first to see snow, but shouldn't happen in November.

Coming into Knoxville (about 30 miles out) you'll start your descent, but it's not bad. It's almost exactly 170 miles from Nashville to the UT Knoxville campus - as I said, 2 hours 15 minutes to 2.5 hours seemed to be my normal time pushing 75-85 most of the way. Be careful in Mount Juliet and Lebanon (coming out of Nashville) and again when you approach Cookeville (State Trooper stations) because they do run radar. Cookeville generally has cheaper gas prices.

The drive from Knoxville to Bristol is tough... there's NOTHING there! Nothing but grassland and no cities to pass through. It's empty - might be a good stretch to make up some time, but make sure you have gas because I don't remember seeing too many gas stations or fast food places.

Virginia police are hard on the laws. I've been to car shows in Bristol, and they'll write tickets for anything and everything (radar detectors, window tint, etc.).