PDA

View Full Version : Taking a Break on the long drive....



Teacher & Snacktime
09-21-2020, 12:05
My next adventure involves the long drive from RI to GA. This time I'm breaking it up into 3 legs so that I don't end up at Springer too stiff and exhausted to face the trail. While I am reasonably familiar with almost every exit and access from Damascus to Millinocket, I'm sadly unfamiliar with anything south of that.


So, my question is: Where along Rt 81 in the general vicinity of Bristol, VA/TN could someone pull over for an overnight in her car? Now, if the suggested location is also within spitting distance of a 1-2 mile easy AT hike that would be a bonus and a great start to the last leg of the drive!


(Note: a "reasonable distance" from the highway is up to interpretation since I don't think driving 8 1/2 hrs for a 0.2mi hike is "unreasonable". :D)


Damn, I miss Rain Man.

Dan Roper
09-21-2020, 12:57
South of Bristol the interstate network leading to Georgia (I-81, I-40, I-75) begins veering away from the AT. But if you don't mind driving an hour or two, one possibility would be to head to Hampton, Tennessee, where you could get on the trail (and even configure various loops) on the AT/old AT close to the Pond Mountain and Laurel Falls vicinity. The Boots Off Hostel has room to park and can offer a shuttle, if desired.

Gambit McCrae
09-21-2020, 15:45
Just curious....why not fly. hundred and fifty bucks and 6 hours of your time vs 1000 miles and 17 hours of driving non stop

Lone Wolf
09-21-2020, 16:42
VA/TN border rest stop on I81 southbound

Teacher & Snacktime
09-21-2020, 16:50
VA/TN border rest stop on I81 southbound

I thought about that, but they have a 2 hr parking limit....no overnight allowed.

Teacher & Snacktime
09-21-2020, 16:52
Just curious....why not fly. hundred and fifty bucks and 6 hours of your time vs 1000 miles and 17 hours of driving non stop

Not a flyer. If I'm not in control of the vehicle, I'm not IN the vehicle. (I can barely keep it together when Lone Wolf shuttles me up to White Top, and I know and trust him!)


Besides, what is better than a road trip?

Lone Wolf
09-21-2020, 16:56
I81 exit 7 Walmart or Backbone Rock campground or Tn 91 cross mtn. AT lot

JNI64
09-21-2020, 17:24
I know it's not what you're asking about but isn't there a hotel or motel room not far off rt 81? I'm not a flyer either i drive everywhere when I drove to Colorado last year I stopped once on the way out at a rest stop and twice on the way home at rest stops. Not the best sleep but it is rest. I'm just mentioning hotels because of much better rest, shower, food . That way when you reach your destination you will be rested, refreshed and ready to hike. Maybe I've been watching to much news ,maybe I'm paranoid but I just don't trust alot places when sleeping. I feel much safer in the woods as opposed to a parking lot or even some rest areas.

Teacher & Snacktime
09-21-2020, 18:03
I81 exit 7 Walmart or Backbone Rock campground or Tn 91 cross mtn. AT lot

This is exactly what I was thinking (Backbone Rock Trailhead), then maybe head down 91 for a likely hike.

Lone Wolf
09-21-2020, 18:08
Damascus library hiker lot. free and patrolled by police

Teacher & Snacktime
09-21-2020, 18:11
I know it's not what you're asking about but isn't there a hotel or motel room not far off rt 81? I'm not a flyer either i drive everywhere when I drove to Colorado last year I stopped once on the way out at a rest stop and twice on the way home at rest stops. Not the best sleep but it is rest. I'm just mentioning hotels because of much better rest, shower, food . That way when you reach your destination you will be rested, refreshed and ready to hike. Maybe I've been watching to much news ,maybe I'm paranoid but I just don't trust alot places when sleeping. I feel much safer in the woods as opposed to a parking lot or even some rest areas.

Well, I've never yet had a problem at a trailhead, or in a Wallyworld lot, but yes, I acknowledge the possibility is there. I maintain a certain degree of trust in the trail community though, and have found it well-placed....so far.

As for a motel, this is a NO CONTACT adventure, thus my standard stay at the Bristol VA Motel 6, (the Taj Mahal of Motel 6 BTW) is not an option this time.

Teacher & Snacktime
09-21-2020, 18:13
Damascus library hiker lot. free and patrolled by police

Well, LW, I was thinking Damascus or nearby would be my best bet. The trip is still several weeks away, but I'll look you up and say "hi" from a distance :)

gracebowen
09-21-2020, 23:37
I hope you find a good place.

Teacher & Snacktime
09-22-2020, 16:09
I hope you find a good place.

Same to you. Have you figured out your route yet?

TNhiker
09-22-2020, 16:33
i do the stretch of 81 from where it starts in TN up to the DC area every couple of weeks...

long drive....

but there's a walmart in abington (exit 19) that's right off 81 and it has the cheapest gas along 81 that i have found.....

so sleeping in walmart's parking lot is an option...

i wouldnt sleep at the rest areas...'

also----ive seen people sleeping (along with truckers) in most every Pilot gas station parking lot along that stretch.....

or----and you'd have to drive a bit----but go into the national forest and get a dispersed spot....

Lone Wolf
09-22-2020, 17:05
NO overnight parking at the Abingdon Walmart

TNhiker
09-22-2020, 17:13
NO overnight parking at the Abingdon Walmart



in that case-----get gas there (it was 1.82 on Sunday) and head to the next Pilot.....

Teacher & Snacktime
09-22-2020, 19:59
in that case-----get gas there (it was 1.82 on Sunday) and head to the next Pilot.....

A Pilot is a viable option too. They have the benefit of a 24hr bathroom :)

Lone Wolf
09-22-2020, 20:17
A Pilot is a viable option too. They have the benefit of a 24hr bathroom :)

exit 29 has a Pilot

TNhiker
09-22-2020, 21:32
They have the benefit of a 24hr bathroom


and typically showers.....

One Half
09-22-2020, 22:25
A Pilot is a viable option too. They have the benefit of a 24hr bathroom :)

and 24 hr big rigs and lights. bring ear plugs and a sleep mask if you are a light sleeper.

Alligator
09-23-2020, 13:24
Stony Fork (USFS) campground, off Rt77 near Wytheville (last stop for major services!). A little further on down I81 is Hungry Mother State Park. Sleeping in the car sucks you'd have room to stretch out and a picnic table and neither is far from the trail.

TNhiker
09-23-2020, 19:56
A little further on down I81 is Hungry Mother State Park


forgot about hungry mother...

that was the first night i stayed in a trip that changed my life (first time to smoky's---moved 2 years later down this way)..

and that's easy to get to from the interstate....

Longboysfan
10-05-2020, 08:56
I usually just sleep in the car - small SUV - in the rest stops on the highway.

JNI64
10-05-2020, 09:30
I usually just sleep in the car - small SUV - in the rest stops on the highway.

I do this as well when I drive everywhere especially across country. But I don't know if I've seen to many scary movies or what but man some of them rest stops are creepy! I always park all the up close to the bathrooms where there's lots of light. After all that's when you are most vulnerable when you're sleeping.

Venchka
10-05-2020, 17:02
I usually just sleep in the car - small SUV - in the rest stops on the highway.
Internet Search: Interstate Rest Area overnight stay rules by state
States are different. While RVs may be allowed to stay overnight, automobiles may not have the same privileges.
Be safe. Know the rules.
Wayne

GoldenBear
10-05-2020, 17:45
Know the rules Always good advice. I stopped at interstate rest stops in Tennessee last month, and can confirm the following:
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/life/2018/04/06/nancy-williams-rating-rest-areas-flushing-toilets-top-list/489221002/
"The “rules” for Tennessee Rest Areas are: There is a two-hour parking limit"

Virginia law is equally unambiguous:
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title24/agency30/chapter50/section10/
" No overnight parking will be permitted."

One Half
10-11-2020, 16:47
I usually just sleep in the car - small SUV - in the rest stops on the highway.

I'm a wee bit past the point in my life where this is my first option. 50 years old this month and enough money to pay for hotel rooms when I travel. Plus, my travel partner is DEFINITELY not down for sleeping at rest stops AND she's paying for the hotels anyway.