Bus friendly route from Nashville Tn to Harrisonburg Va

[scotty_vince]

I'm looking for the most bus friendly route between Nashville Tn and Harrisonburg Va. But please keep in mind I'm rolling on the now infamous "metro milers". Thanks

[Songman]

Looks like a pretty straight shot to me - I-40 to I-81. The minimum speed on the interstate is 45 so just jump in the right lane and stroll on up there. 539 miles.

[oldmansax]

I-40 & I-81  route is the way to go unless you have plenty of power & time. I have driven it many times.

TOM

[TomC]

One of the main reasons that the "Metro Liners" have a 55mph limit is that they typically carry more weight then over the road tires.  If you're not at the capacity of the tires, weigh the bus by axle then inflate to the manufacturers suggestion.  I personally would not be afraid of going a bit faster, if you stop every hour to check (feel by hand) the temperature of the tires.  Good Luck, TomC

[scotty_vince]

Are there any really steep grades on this route. If so, what % are they? Thanks.

[Slow Rider]

Scotty,

You should have no problems.  When I bought my MC8 I drove it from Jackson, TN to Dale City, VA.  That meant I-40 to I-81 to I-66 and then back roads home. 

There is one downhill grade where the posted speed limit is 50 and if you pay attention to your speed at all it is easy to maintain.

TN is good about the spacing on their rest stops. Virginia not as good. Just don't be in a hurry and stop every couple of hours to make your checks till you learn your bus and enjoy the ride. 

I think Harbor Freight has their non-contact thermometer on sale right now for $26.00.  You might consider getting one of those to check your tire temps for piece of mind.

And as always if you run into trouble, we are just a few keystrokes away.........

Frank

[Busted Knuckle]

Scotty,
You should have no problems.  When I bought my MC8 I drove it from Jackson, TN to Dale City, VA.  That meant I-40 to I-81 to I-66 and then back roads home. 
Frank

Funny you should mention that Frank, I thought I remembered driving it to my place and storing it for like half a year or so for ya!
(remember CAT learned how to drive a bus, and play Dukes of Hazard all in one week in it! Got real good at jumping the pond instead of just plowing through it too! )
  BK 

[Slow Rider]

Every thing you say is true Bryce   And I will be eternally grateful for your help.  Where else could my bus have spent the summer learning how to swim and being chauffeured around by Cat. 

  I probably need to talk to Cat about that driving she did.  The bus seemed to think anything under 70 was too slow.  But, after I left your place I stayed at moms for a bit then began the big trek home.

It was a good trip and except for the couple of idiots that were sure they needed to make the turn off from across three lanes of traffic, it was uneventful.

Frank

[WEC4104]

I've done the I-40 stretch, and I don't recall much about it, so it must not have been too bad.  As a Virginia Tech grad, I could pretty much do the Christiansburg/Blacksburg exit to Pennsylvania run with my eyes closed. On that stretch, the steepest grade is the southbound climb up to Christiansburg.... but that would be downhill headed north. 

On my last run down I-81, I climbed the Christiansburg incline and never took it out of fourth gear. I was fully loaded for vacation with the family of five.  The standard 6-71 and Spicer (no turbo or mods) charged the hill, kept passing semis, but the rpms held steady with no lugging. I was darned impressed.

If my 4104 handled I-40 and I-81, I'd say no worries.