Route Request - Charlotte to Wichita

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm picking up a 997 in Charlotte next week, and would like to enjoy my drive home. I don't want to significantly deviate to make my drive longer than it already is, but I'd like to enjoy the trip. I know I'll be headed through some beautiful parts of the US, which roads are can't miss?

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I'm picking up a 997 in Charlotte next week, and would like to enjoy my drive home. I don't want to significantly deviate to make my drive longer than it already is, but I'd like to enjoy the trip. I know I'll be headed through some beautiful parts of the US, which roads are can't miss?

My favorite threads!

Take 74 out of Charlotte past Shelby (where one of my sisters lives). Get on Rte 221 to 62 to Alt 74 into Asheville.

I have driven these roads. Nothing spectacular but they beat the interstate. I don't recommend going too far south into Nantahala National Forest for time reasons.

From Asheville you can get to the Dragon easily and take it through to Loudon, TN. Too many roads to list. Skip Pigeon Forge, the place is packed.

I'd get on I40 to Nashville, then I24 after that to Paducah. It get a bit weird through this stretch because of the river crossings.

When I picked up your 4Runner, I took Rte 60 through Poplar Bluff. I really enjoyed that road. After Springfield you are home.

Enjoy!

[onewhippedpuppy]

I knew you'd chime in quickly!

[masraum]

Can't help, but enjoy the drive.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I knew you'd chime in quickly!

The only appreciable difference between how I would drive and Google Maps is off interstate in NC and taking the Dragon.

It is basically a day and a half trip regardless. 17 hours +/-. If you can get to Knoxville the first day (flight in, paper work, etc.) the second day is a bomb.

[Neilk]

Tell us more about the 997. Where did you buy it? Get a smoking deal on it?

Can you describe your car buying strategy? I am curious on what is a good strategy on switching out cars every 6 to 12 months without losing your shirt. Obviously buy low and sell high. Any tips would be appreciated.

[on2wheels52]

Not US 60 across Missouri, take US 160 (begins near Popular Bluff). No four lane there.
Jim

[p911dad]

My wife and I took our 911 for most of Seahawk's route last month. The part beyond Cherokee, from Almond, to Deal's Gap over the Dragon to Marysville ("Murrysville") is a hoot most of the way. The driving time to Knoxville is somewhere around 6 hours.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Anyone been to Lebanon, TN just E of Nashville? Decent place, not going to get shot? I'm thinking that will be stopping point for day 1, it's about 6 hours from Charlotte.

Originally Posted by Neilk

Tell us more about the 997. Where did you buy it? Get a smoking deal on it?

Can you describe your car buying strategy? I am curious on what is a good strategy on switching out cars every 6 to 12 months without losing your shirt. Obviously buy low and sell high. Any tips would be appreciated.

I found it listed online and did ok. Really nice honest car with about 80k, great owner with great records, good options like Sport Chrono Plus, Sport Wheel, Nav, and Bose. Engine replaced by Porsche in 2006 with a brand new motor, which means it has the non-replaceable IMS that is pretty much a non-issue. It looks great and I can't wait, I've never had a 997.

The strategy isn't anything magical, I look in a lot of places and the deals just jump out at me. I don't buy junk unless it's dirt cheap, I try to buy well documented cars from individuals that took care of them. My grandfather always said that you make your money when you buy a car, and it's 100% true. I typically can invest time and money making them top notch cars, and sell them for a reasonable price.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by p911dad

My wife and I took our 911 for most of Seahawk's route last month. The part beyond Cherokee, from Almond, to Deal's Gap over the Dragon to Marysville ("Murrysville") is a hoot most of the way. The driving time to Knoxville is somewhere around 6 hours.

6 hours from Charlotte to Knoxville? If so I need to rethink my previous Lebanon comment. You mean I can't average 70 MPH on the twisties?

[p911dad]

If you take NC 74 to I 26 to I 40 you can do it in 4 hours or less easy, on the scenic route it is farther and slower, little towns, etc.

Here's a photo from the Dragon (rt 126) at the Tennessee North Carolina border

[onlycafe]

eat at the mom and pop style independents, stay away from the chains and franchises.

enjoy yourself.

[MRM]

My general advice would be to travel to LA via Omaha.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by MRM

My general advice would be to travel to LA via Omaha.

Am I just dense and missing the joke here?

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Am I just dense and missing the joke here?

Lyric from a Charlie Daniels song.

You weren't born yet

A couple of other things:

on2wheel is right. I meant 160
p911dad is also right. Taking the interstate is not a bad option at all. I have done the Dragon twice and probably won't do it again. But it is worth it given the car you are driving.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Well, United Airlines totally screwed my trip. Because of weather at ORD (and the lack of response in the cockpit) I was three hours late arriving in Charlotte. The late arrival made it impossible to get to the Dragon before dark, and it put me far enough behind that I only made it to Knoxville on day 1. On the upside, even the interstate through TN was beautiful and semi-amusing, especially between Asheville and Knoxville. I got the full Smoky Mountains experience on Wed morning when I left Knoxville, I love the scenery in TN. The car was absolutely flawless, and despite my driving habits returned 27.7 average MPG for the trip, which was a real surprise.

[BReif61]

Now we just need pictures. Or must we wait for the For Sale thread for them?

[1990C4S]

That new job of yours sure sucks.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

driving habits returned 27.7 average MPG for the trip, which was a real surprise.

You're doing it wrong then!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Here's a shot from the PO, it's covered with bugs and water spots from driving through rain. Really, really great car. 2005 with 84k, Seal Gray over black, navigation, Bose, Sport Chrono, sport wheel, full power heated memory seats, bi-xenons, Fister mufflers. The Sport Chrono is a must, the sport mode really wakes the car up. It got new S04s and an alignment today, and I'm planning to do motor mounts and the transmission fluid. Otherwise it's in good shape, the full 80k was just done. A brand new motor in 2006 at 17k should alleviate any IMS concerns, as it would have been the updated 2006+ motor with the non-replaceable IMS.