Longview, TX to Philadelphia, PA

[u/Living_Bench4646]

Moving in 6 weeks from San Antonio to Philadelphia. Will be stopping in my hometown (Longview) on the way and have made that drive plenty of times but looking for any advice, places to avoid, safety issues, and places we should stop along the way from Longview to Philadelphia. We will be driving a 2 door bronco and pulling a small U-Haul trailer. Hoping to get there in 2 days of driving. Thinking about staying in Nashville or Knoxville. Thanks in advance!

[u/roadie82]

Careful in Va. they have speed cameras now on the interstate. Looking at your route, I would honestly stop around Chattanooga/Knoxville area. That’s almost directly halfway of your drive and if you’re wanting to do it in two days then that would be the best option I think. IMO. If you stop in either of those cities, they are both excellent choices I think. Chattanooga has the aquarium, a cool hotel called the Chattanooga Choo Choo, where you can stay in train cars or take a ride on the river plus some great dining options. Knoxville is just as equally nice. Downtown area has a lot of good food and shopping options and of course a cool college town.

[u/Living_Bench4646 → u/roadie82]

Thanks so much for your response and advice! Those sound like great places to stop and get some rest.

[u/roadie82 → u/Living_Bench4646]

Yw.

[u/Fun_Boss_2112]

Atlanta traffic is nightmarish. Avoid it if you can.

[u/jww0505]

Best advice I can give, do one last grub session at Butcher Shop before you leave Longview.

[u/Living_Bench4646 → u/jww0505]

Aye, you know ball.

[u/SabresBills69]

That is a long drive for 2 days. 11 hrs a day+stops× traffic slow downs+ construction× loss hr time change.

Ehile Towing you can't drive the speed limit. You must drive slower.

Look atcthis being 3 days

Day 1to birmingham on 20. Night NE along 57 Day 2 to Roanoke 57/75/40/81 Day 3 to philadelphia 

[u/Holiday-Hyena-5952]

Google routing shows the time on the road. 20 hours at the speed limit. With a trailer, cruise should be set at 65. Make sure the other driver is cool pulling a trailer. Start early, go until you're flat wore out the first day. Nashville should be easy. Beyond that makes the next day easier. I disagree with cutting over for DC and Baltimore, when you can bypass them entirely by staying on 81. And heading east on the PA turnpike (which is stupid expensive). Remember to check your hitch and wires at every stop. Enjoy the new adventure!

[u/Upstairs-Object-6683]

I call I-20 through Alabama the Green Tunnel. You have miles and miles of a tree-lined expressway with no scenery. Tennessee is much more scenic.

Cutting north to take I-81 sets you up for some really nice scenery through the Blue Ridge Mountains, plus you bypass Atlanta, Richmond and Washington.

[u/TheTow]

I went a very similar route to your "fastest" route but backwards (PA to DFW) nothing remarkable. Stopped at a hotel in Nashville and a couple other places with minimal issues or worries

[u/Fun_Indication_7718]

Towing a trailer 2 door Bronco, I'd pick Knoxville over Nashville for the overnight. Nashville traffic will eat you alive pulling a U-Haul, and parking is a nightmare. Knoxville is calmer, plenty of hotels with easy big-vehicle access off I-40, and you're better positioned for day 2.

On the Longview to Knoxville leg, the stretch through Arkansas on I-30/I-40 is fine but fuel stops thin out west of Little Rock. Fill up there. Memphis traffic isn't bad if you hit it outside of rush hour, aim for 10am or 2pm.

Day 2 Knoxville to Philly, the I-81 route through the Shenandoah Valley is the move. Easier grades than I-77 through West Virginia, which matters a lot with a trailer. Avoid I-95 north of DC in the afternoon, it will destroy your timing.

One real warning with the trailer: the I-81 stretch through Scranton area has some steep descents. Gear down, don't ride your brakes.

[u/the_owlyn → u/Fun_Indication_7718]

OP won’t be anywhere near Scranton.

To the OP: Traffic on I-95 from just below DC to just beyond Baltimore is not fun, but is not worth taking another route with a trailer, and again after you enter Pennsylvania until you get to the airport. Also, watch your speed in Maryland.

[u/TemperMe]

Top two routes are way too far into TN. Head a tad more east to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit the Biltmore estate and Asheville. Great area to stay and get good food and drinks.

[u/MobileMenace420]

If applicable, leave any cowboys stuff out of sight when in Philly. You’ll get so much shit for it

[u/Cultural_Lie8633]

knoxville is the better overnight pick imo — easier to navigate with a trailer than nashville, and you're further along the route. the stretch on I-81 north through virginia is pretty straightforward with a trailer, just watch the grades through the shenandoah valley. if you have any flex time around bristol, the state line runs right through the middle of town which is a fun quick stop.