Just passing thru. Have a question(s). (Memphis, Knoxville: hotels, buy)

[Peterbilt379]

First of all, Hi everyone. I'm not from Tennessee. Well anyways, Soon I'll be just passing thru, to Tontitown, AR. Driving from Virginia Beach, VA. Either way, it will be a 20 hours drive. (1,260 miles)

Anyways, my question is this. Since Nashville is about half-way to my destination. What kinds of rest stops, hotels, motels, truck stops are there in Tennessee? Close to I-40, Hwy 155, or US-70W. Please, anything is helpful.

Internet does not tell anything that I need to know. Hopefully, this could help me. It will be a long journey (maybe not that long.) Personally, there's a trucking career in AR I'm trying to get into and since I am still making preparations. Thanks,

[alleycat]

I-40 is well traveled, so you can find just about anything you need along that route.

If you plan on staying overnight somewhere near Nashville, there's any number of motels that would serve the purpose along I-40. If you want specific recommendation of places to stay on the west side of Nashville along I-40, let me know. That's the part of town I live in. There are places on the east side (before getting to downtown Nashville) as well, but I don't know them well enough to give a recommendation. About the only area I would warn you away from is along Murfreesboro Road where I-40 merges with I-24; that are a few places near that area that you would probably want to avoid.

It would be better if you could plan to avoid hitting Nashville at rush hour (7:00-8:30 am and 4:30 to 6:00 pm CDT). Sometimes you would be able to sail right through town, but on other days, particularly during bad weather or if there's an accident, it could slow your journey.

By the way, it's not a bad trip from Knoxville to Nashville and then to Memphis, but it probably will seem like Tennessee is as big as California going in that direction. It would take you several hours to traverse the whole state.

I wish you a safe and happy trip through Tennessee.

[Peterbilt379]

Not to mention I've been to California a few times, used to haul loads there. I were a truck driver before. It will take me atleast 10 hours to get to Nashville. Most likely the rush hour should be gone by the time I get there. I am planning on leaving Virginia before 11am. Should arrive by Nashville 9pm-10pm.

What is your recommendation of places on the west side of Nashville?

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by Peterbilt379

Not to mention I've been to California a few times, used to haul loads there. I were a truck driver before. It will take me atleast 10 hours to get to Nashville. Most likely the rush hour should be gone by the time I get there. I am planning on leaving Virginia before 11am. Should arrive by Nashville 9pm-10pm.

What is your recommendation of places on the west side of Nashville?

You might expect a few miles of slow traffic after getting past downtown on I-40 due to road construction at night. It shouldn't be too bad however, and the construction is for a relatively short stretch of the highway.

Just about any of the motels along I-40 past the Charlotte Pike exit (201) would be alright. You might consider the Hallmark Inn or Super 8 or Howard Johnson near exit 201, or the Micotel Inn or Hampton Inn off of the Bellevue exit (196). There's a few restaurants (most of the chain variety) around each of these areas.

If you stayed on the west side of town, the next day you would have a straight shot to Memphis without having to worry too much about local traffic. Most of the morning traffic is coming in, you would be going out.

By the way, noticing your username, did you know Peterbilts are built right here in Nashville? Well, they are when the plant is not on strike, that is.

[Peterbilt379]

Peterbilts are my kind of bigrigs. Hopefully in 3 years or so, I will definitely buy one. Just only use it in truck shows. Since we are on the topic, Are there any trucking companies in or near Nashville that you can think of?

Actually, I didn't know Peterbilts are built there. Learn something new everyday. I'm looking foward to this trip, Thank you for helping me.

[alleycat]

Because of its centralized location, Nashville is something of a distribution center, so many trucking companies have operations in Nashville (as do companies like UPS). I'm not actually sure how many have headquarters here. Averitt's main office is in Cookeville, TN, which you will go past on your way from Knoxville to Nashville.

With three major Interstate highways (I-40, I-24, I-65) converging in Nashville, there are A LOT of trucks that come through Nashville.

[rossc]

Originally Posted by Peterbilt379

Actually, I didn't know Peterbilts are built there. Learn something new everyday. I'm looking foward to this trip, Thank you for helping me.

I don't think there's much going on at the Peterbilt plant. They have been on strike for almost a year. Looks like just a skeleton crew actually working.

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by rossc

I don't think there's much going on at the Peterbilt plant. They have been on strike for almost a year. Looks like just a skeleton crew actually working.

Seems like they're always on strike. That's why I mentioned it in my post above.

[Peterbilt379]

It is ashame, because Peterbilts the the best trucks in the world, just to my intensions. My favorite, are the older styles with 2-smoke stacks, cat engines with 10 speeds-manual stick shifts.

When I do arrive to Nashville, When does the Country Stars Hall Of Fame Museum usually opens and closes? Like to explore it, while I'm over there. Just for a quick browse.

With the economy the way it is, most people are going on strike. Something needs to change soon.

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by Peterbilt379

When I do arrive to Nashville, When does the Country Stars Hall Of Fame Museum usually opens and closes? Like to explore it, while I'm over there. Just for a quick browse.

9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Remember that we're on Central Time here in Nashville.