Starkville to Kensett along the Natchez Trace Parkway
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RouteXpert Paul Hedges - Adv RouteXpert
Last edit: 16-04-2020
Route Summary More riding along the Natchez Trace Parkway with all of it's history and scenery. Then A day all about Elvis Presley. Visiting his place of birth and then Gracelands itself.
Backroads, highways everything in between will be used today in a real mix. 4 stars Memphis, Mississippi River and Elvis...say no more
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Verdict
Duration
6h 12m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
522.96 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review The day begins by getting back onto the Natchez Trace Parkway heading north to Tupelo. 70 miles of easy riding along the scenic byway taking in the historical sites as they appear along the road.
As you reach the outskirts of Tupelo you leave the NTP and head around the quiet town to the Birthplace of Elvis Presley (WP23) visit his house and then the museum to learn about his early life. Adult entry $9 as of Feb 2020
A short ride up I-22 along a 2-lane road is a lot different than the earlier riding but 50 miles are soon done, and you are turning off to ride around the Holly Springs National Forest.
The MS-5 Scenic route tales you along a tree lined route that delivers curve after curve. Riding towards Holly Springs is a mixture of forest and farmland so lots to see as you ride.
A break in Red Banks and then re-join the I-22 and head towards Memphis. The roads around Memphis can be a mix of conditions, with very few crossings over the Mississippi traffic only has certain paths and the big 18-Wheeler trucks can churn up some of the road surface.
Entering Memphis means you cross the State border between Mississippi and Tennessee.
While in Memphis then Gracelands must be visited. Take the tour around the mansion and then the huge money-making museum across the road (WP41) Tours start at $42 for an adult.
Leaving Memphis across the Hernando de Soto Bridge also means your short visit to Tennessee and into the 3rd state of the day you now enter Arkansas. Due to the limitation of routes across the rive this road can be busy but it is only 45 minutes of freeway before turning off onto the much quieter 284 through Village Creek State Park. This road is just one of those that delivers curve after curve with another bend in the road in the distance.
The final road is Highway 64 which goes straight through the farmlands of Arkansas, wide open countryside showing how flat the state can be. A final change onto the 367 as it takes you to Searcy where today's ride concludes.
A real mixture of roads today from highway to back road. Big City riding through Memphis is a total contrast to the quiet Natchez Trace Parkway and farmlands of Arkansas. The Rock and Roll history on the life of Elvis adds to a great day across 3 US states. 4 Stars from me
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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