Driving from OH to LA

Question

Is there a way I can drive from Cleveland OH to New Orleans LA without driving over mountains?

Answer

Yes, it's definitely possible to drive from Cleveland, OH to New Orleans, LA without encountering significant mountainous terrain. While the route you choose will depend on your preference for speed versus scenic routes, there are a few options that avoid the more mountainous areas. Here's a breakdown of your options:

Route 1: I-71 South to I-75 South, then I-40 West (via Memphis) - This is one of the more straightforward routes. Starting on I-71 South from Cleveland, you can connect with I-75 South, and eventually merge with I-40 West in Memphis. This route takes you through the flat plains of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas, avoiding major mountain ranges like the Appalachians. - After Memphis, you'll head south on I-55, which will take you directly to New Orleans. This route primarily sticks to flat land and features relatively easy driving.
Route 2: I-71 South to I-64 West (via Louisville and St. Louis) - From Cleveland, you can take I-71 South to I-64 West, which is a more northern route. This takes you through Kentucky, which still avoids the Appalachian Mountains but may have some moderate terrain, though not mountainous in the sense of steep climbs or curvy roads. - You’ll cross into Illinois, then head south on I-55 or continue on I-40 to connect to I-20 in Mississippi, which will take you further southwest into Louisiana. Like the previous route, the terrain remains mostly flat.
Route 3: I-80 West to I-65 South (via Indianapolis and Birmingham) - This route takes you on I-80 West from Cleveland, then merging with I-65 South. I-65 takes you through Indiana and Kentucky, crossing into Tennessee. The area around Nashville will have some rolling hills but avoids mountainous terrain. - Once in Birmingham, you can connect to I-20 West, which runs through the flatlands of Mississippi and Louisiana before reaching New Orleans.

Things to keep in mind:

The main goal is to avoid routes that traverse the Appalachian Mountains or cross through any areas in Tennessee that involve steep climbs. Avoiding I-81 or routes that go through parts of West Virginia and the more rugged terrain of Kentucky will help you stick to a flat route.
There will be some rolling hills, especially when you get into central Tennessee or the Ozark region, but these are not considered mountainous highways, so they should be manageable.
While the southern parts of the U.S. have some hills, particularly through the Ozarks and part of Arkansas, they are generally not classified as mountains, so they shouldn't add much difficulty to the drive.

With these routes, you should have a comfortable and relatively flat journey from Cleveland to New Orleans. If you want to avoid any elevation change entirely, the I-40 West route via Memphis might be your best option as it sticks to the plains for most of the trip. Enjoy your drive!

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