Natchez Trace Parkway - Mississippi, Alabama, & Tennessee
Pasquo, TN - Natchez
Distance/Driving time: 447 miles/10h, 50m
County(ies): Prentiss, Lee, Chickasaw, Webster, Choctaw, Attala, Leake, Madison, Hinds, Claiborne, Jefferson, Adams
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Rider Comments:
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- I rode the entire Parkway from Nashville (Loveless Cafe) to Natchez in May as a new rider. more...It is a good beginner road or just a lazy, relaxing ride. Lots of rest areas with clean restrooms and hand dryers. Lots of places to stop and take awesome pictures. Sometimes you won't see another car or motorcycle for 30-40 miles. Some parts are far from civilization, but still paved! Quiet road. Watch for bicyclists and RVs though. They are the dangerous part of the trip riding 3 bikes across the road sometimes. The curves are wide and meandering and there are many straight stretches of road, but the countryside is beautiful. Great road for clearing the mind! - Sara L. (7/28/12)
- This route is an old native american trail that starts in Nashville, TN and goes 444 miles all the way to Natchez, MS. more...The Tennessee section, 100 miles, has sweeping curves, little traffic and barely any side roads like the Blue Ridge Parkway. The perfect road to cruise on. Plan ahead on gas and food. - Rob DeLaney (7/25/11)
- I am from the Houston, MS area. more...I agree with the previous comment, BE SURE TO DO THE SPEED LIMIT! Great ride, great scenery, road is in good condition. There has been considerable damage to the wooded areas all up and down the Trace due to the recent storms. This will not affect any riding. The most twisty part is in the Nashville area, from I-40 to Highway 100. The rest of the Trace is pretty much straight. Good easy riding. If you are in the area, I highly recommend the Trace. There are NO gas stops on the Trace, but there are some close to the town exits. - Jeff Ferguson (7/1/11)
- This is a scenic route with lots of turns, but none that are twisty. more...Most can be taken at 65 mph. However, doing so is not wise, as the speeding fines on this route are excessive - $100 for every mph over the speed limit, which is 50 mph for most of the route and 40 for a small section close to Nashville, which just so happens to be the twisty part. Enforcement may seem to be lax, but it is a federal road and there are DEFINITELY undercover cops and state troopers on the road. Do not speed unless you want a very large fine. Also to note, there are very few rest stops, so be careful to mind your gas. - Brian Bourgeois (7/8/09)
- A real joy to ride this road. more...Part of the National Park Service and well maintained. 2 lanes, very wide grassy shoulders and junglelike forests. 50 mph top speed and strictly enforced. No commercial traffic. Many pull outs and historical markers along the road. Watch out for the wildlife along the road, deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, armadillos and possums. Excellent riding road for all skill levels, flat, straight, slight elevation changes, long sweepers, easy curves. A wonderful road through much of the history of the South. - Dick Yates (12/29/08)
- Trace is now complete all the way from Nashville to Natchez, including the part around Jackson, MS. more...No more detours required. - Michael Blair (11/13/08)
- Wonderful scenery, numerous stops for historical sites to keep you fresh. more...Many side trips to quaint towns - or big ones - for eats. Fairly strict law enforcement of the low speed limit. Federal fines apply and can be higher than state and local, so beware. This is not a race track, no matter how much it would make a great one. Great two day trip, down and back. - Bob DePriest (7/5/07)
- If you like it slow and scenic, this is the road for you. more...Speed limit is 50 mph but there is so much to see, and if you don't stop and see the sights it will be a wasted trip. Plan on 2-3 days to take it all in. The Trace has abundant points of interest, and rest areas with bathrooms about every 5-15 miles, as well as camping areas about every 75-100 miles. Police do enforce the speed limit. No commercial vehicles, but plenty of RV's. The last 60-80 miles have sweeping turns as you get towards Nashville. This is a great trip for one day and overnighters. If you don't like camping there are plenty of towns with lodging. A definite must ride at least once. - Joseph Lee (3/24/07)
- This is the most scenic highway you will ever see in the lower 48 states. more...It is a 444 mile long Federal Park. No commercial vehicles, lots of motorcycles, and lots of sights to see along the way. Check out the National Park Service. Also Google Natchez Trace Parkway. - Rider from Mississippi (12/3/06)
- This is a beautiful scenic highway. more...The best thing about it is there is absolutely no comercial traffic (no trucks). Even better, the only stop signs or traffic signals are the unfinished section where the Trace goes through Jackson, Mississippi. Many people whine because the speed limit is on 50, but it is amazing how good of time you can make when you dont have to stop. It was also my experience that the police threat was not as great as reported. - Rider from Somerville, AL (11/1/06)
- Good road for a first timer or if you have a novice passenger. more...The scenery is nice (they keep it groomed and there are lots of gentle sweepers), BUT the speed limit is only 55mph and I did see troopers on the road. Hopefully the northern half is more interesting. - Dan Moers (6/28/06)
Photos
- courtesy of Dick Yates
Other Resources:
- America's Byways - Natchez Trace Parkway
- Weather.com - Natchez Trace Scenic Byway
- John Cletheroe's Scenic Roads in the USA - Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi
- Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages - The Natchez Trace Parkway
- Dan Kalal - The Motorcycle Roads
- National Park Service - Natchez Trace Parkway
- Wikipedia - Natchez Trace Parkway
- Rand McNally Road Atlas