Choose your route wisely

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I was headed to Sevierville Tennessee for the Circle yer Wagons show. Google maps of course put me on the interstate for the 260 miles. I don't like interstates so I clicked the no highway option and it picked out a couple of nice routes. I took 27 down and 127 back. I was very disappointed at the lack of fellow Vdubers along that route. I expected most would have chosen the slower back roads and I should see an occasional VW at a gas station or greasy spoon getting gas. Not a one.

On the way back I ran across a stopped Vanagon just a few miles from Sevierville, I stopped to help. Not much I could do to help he said he had overheated and had to stop to let it cool down. So I stayed and chatted a few minutes. Told him about the beautiful ride I had on 27. 55 mph most of the way with an occasional 35 mph through town. I enjoyed the scenery through town so it was worth slowing to 35 to take it in.

He then tells me that he had been on I75 trying to keep up with traffic going over the mountains, we call them mountains, and it overheated. Now he can only go about 10 miles before it overheats again and he stops for 20 some odd minutes to let it cool. Sounds like a head gasket leaking exhaust gas into the water. He has friends at the bug show that should be able to patch him up and send him home. But he was also saying how he lives just off 27 and he now with perfect hindsight wishes he took the slower back road.

I guess that brings up the question. Why was I alone on those back roads, why was everyone on I75 trying to go 70 mph up those long steep hills?

[my59]

They didn't turn on the no highway option?
They all drive Raby camper specials?
Every one running Subi conversions?
Everyone was hot footing for the rare parts at the swap?
You were the smartest one at the show?

Pick your favorite. I favor the 'all a bunch of idiots' option but was trying to be polite
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my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[PK399]

Seems people nowadays want to go from point a to point b in the fast lane, follow the herd, and to hell with the scenery along the "old roads".

[coad]

My personal rule of thumb is to only drive on roads that existed when the car I'm driving was built.

[hitest]

Such problems never existed before GPS. Simply opening a map is a skill no longer taught.

My recent proof: laughing from the back seat after being fired as navigator for the drive to and from San Jose. The cost to the GPS-sworn driver: $20 bridge toll and an extra 15 minutes added to the trip home.
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One more note: I often drive the non-highways on long road trips but jump on them to scoot effortlessly through a large city. Yes I miss some amazing sights by getting on the interstate, but I save a lot of wear and tear on my brakes, drivetrain and nerves.

[kamesama980]

Depends on how long the trip is, where I'm going, when, and why.

Ie this weekend going to autocross, gotta be there by x time in the morning, I took the interstate. but yes, other times where time is less of the essence, I don't mind the slower roads. then again, the bug doesn't have issues with speed/load like the busses do.

I agree with GPS destroying people's ability to navigate without it. "How am I supposed to know which squiggly line is what/goes where?" I can't wait another 13-14 years for my daughter to be that age, I have enough trouble getting my wife to drive without the $%^& thing. "What if I get lost or miss the exit?" "You take the interstate for 200 miles, then it ends and you get on the other interstate...all along the way there are signs telling you what road you're on and where you're going!"
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-Russell
"You don't get to blame me for how I fix what you break"
1970 VW Beetle
1994 Pontiac Firebird
2001 BMW R1200C
2003 Subaru Baja

[Air-Cooled Head]

[luvthemvws]

You didn't see the air cooled vws because they were in their owners trailer being pulled by his American-made pickup. The VW gets unloaded at the show (or near to the show) so the owner can say he drove it there. They over-carb, over-cam, and over-compression the engine and then spend the day telling everyone how totally reliable their car is.
No, I'm not bitter...

[KTPhil]

If there is any doubt about the reliability of ones' ride, then taking the interstates, where others will see and help you in case of trouble, might be a wise choice.

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[rgdedge]

[Mike Fisher]

We usually caravan to the Bug Run on Interstate 5 at 65mph with the Oregon Bus Club. We had to leave a bus at the Rest Area last year & come back after the Show with a tow dolly.
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https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold

Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey

[e&m_ghia]

[photogdave]

[awreed]

I tried and failed to keep up with the procession of VWs in my 69 Bay on I-5 many years ago. The whole 25 mile trip I was wondering how in the hell these guys are doing 75 or 80. Freeway flier trannys? Built motors? Was I the only one with a stock drivetrain? I'll never drive to another show/meet like that. My Bay is happy at 55mph, but struggles mightily at 56.

[joe56vw]

[awreed]