travel the entire length of US Highway 41

Back in the 1990’s I traveled US 41 several times, in search of material for a book I was writing about it. I wound up with a 1000-page manuscript but alas, no takers. Haven’t been on the old road in some time now. Was playing around on the computer and thought I’d google it just to see what came up.

I was born in Marquette, Michigan, just a stone’s throw away from 41. You might say I grew up running around on its northern end. Yes, it truly is a great, great road.

Back in the 1990’s I traveled US 41 several times, in search of material for a book I was writing about it. I wound up with a 1000-page manuscript but alas, no takers. Haven’t been on the old road in some time now. Was playing around on the computer and thought I’d google it just to see what came up.

I was born in Marquette, Michigan, just a stone’s throw away from 41. You might say I grew up running around on its northern end. Yes, it truly is a great, great road.

I grew up on Old Hwy 41 in a small Georgia town. The Interstate system was already in full force by the time I came to realize the significance of the road, but the stories that my parents and siblings have told planted a seed of interest that has always made me want to experience what is left of the Highway and learn more. Although I would like to travel the old road (or what is left of it) in reality, please contact me if you have any stories or pictures for a virtual trip.

Made it to Miami and drove the last bit I hadn’t. So now I’ve got the southern terminus of the highway down.

I can now add the portion of US 41 in Indiana north of I-70 as done. I made most of the drive in some pretty decent fog, so who knows whether the country was pretty or not. Luckily the drive was for work, so the milage go reimbursed.

Right on! I now can write Illinois on my list of states that I’ve driven 41 all the way on. I had a chance to get out so I took the chance to close the gaps, mostly in Chicago, in Illinois.

Hopefully I’ll get sent to Indiana for work next spring and I’ll get to drive lots of miles on 41 then.

I do not want to travel the entire length of US 41.. I just want to figure out a way to get from Marietta Georgia to Indiana by only traveling on US 41. I know it is possible, but I also know there are some tricky things to pass, for instance, I am told the Penny Rile is a little tricky. I am not comfortable driving on big highways, and just want to get back home by traveling on 41. If anyone reads this… (by the way I am leaving early tomorrow morning).. please help a girl out!! I have tried to google the way, but have had NO Luck!!

I was planning my US41 trip and came across this site!

I am from Michigan and live in Valdosta, GA. I plan on making the trip Summer 2008 to coincide with a reunion in Marquette, MI.

All on a motorcycle! All in one trip!

I too have always dreamed of traveling the entire length at one time. When I was a kid in the 60s, my grandparents were resident managers at a couple of motels along 41 in Hopkinsville, KY. I loved the weekends we would go down there. My grandfather would let me help him with checkins and keys. He would tell me that the road ran from the UP to Miami and that they always got a lot of Chicago area guests since it was approximately a one days drive there. That is why there were so many motels in Hopkinsville during that time. The house adjoined the office and I can still remember laying in bed there and listening to the cars and semis going by wondering where they were going. There was a Rock City spinning thing that showed the mileage from Hopkinsville to various points along 41. I loved to spin that and it wasn’t long until I knew the mileage to places such as Terre Haute, Macon, Valdosta etc..

I have always wanted to drive it end to end and often on trips I will get off the interstate and take a few miles but always never seem to have the time to do a full run. I have probably been on all of it from Chicago to Lake City, FL at one time or another with the exception of the Metro Atlanta area. Maybe we need to get a caravan road trip for this?

The picture is a postcard I got on Ebay of the motel my grandparents had in Hopkinsville. That is exactly how I remember it. Sadly, it burned down in the 70s which probably adds to my facsination with it. I do have a lead block with coins sticking it out of it which was the coin box in a soda machine which burned during the fire.

Ok, so far I’ve got from Champion, MI through to Evanston, IL all the way. I’ve also got the tail end of 41 as is crosses the southern end of Florida to end in Miami. Road trip anyone?