Connecting Natchez, MS to Southern Tier

[Skjellyfetti]

I'm planning on doing the Natchez trace heading south and meeting up with the Southern Tier at St. Francisville (or so).

Anyone done this before or know of a good route? Highway 61 is the most direct path... but, it's a busy 4 lane.

Here's a link to google maps so you can look it up easily:
http://tinyurl.com/ygcd4os

Thanks for any help!

[grandfatherbike]

Depending on which way you are heading on the Southern Tier you might consider taking the Underground Railroad Route off the Natchez Trace to the Southern Tier

[dubovsmj]

hey skjellyfeti

i was hoping to do that same route next year and wondering same thing.
please post what you decide either before or after your trip as it will def help me out!
thanks.
michael

[aggie]

The Great Rivers South (Section 3) follows the Natchez Trace from Tupelo, MS to Natchez, MS.  It then heads south to St. Francisville, LA where you can connect to the Southern Tier (section 5 or 6).  I've found that these maps tend to keep you off the very busy highways whenever possible.  They may not be the most direct or shortest routes but they do take you through some areas off the main highways that most people never see. 

[siden420]

In riding cross country in the summer of 2008, I was faced with this situation.  I decided to take a more direct route from Natchez, MS to Deridder, LA to make the connection from the Great Rivers South to the Southern Tier, instead of proceeding south to St. Francisville.  "Cutting the corner" in this way saved 135 miles!
I found this route safe, with reasonable traffic and, with the exception of about 3 miles south of Leesville on US 171 (which may since have been repaved), well-paved.
1) Cross the bridge from Natchez to Vidalia on the eastbound span.  I was told that despite it being against traffic, it has a substantially wider shoulder, so it is the safer side.  I was fine on it.
2) Take US 84 West to just past Archie into SR 28 West into Alexandria
3) Ride 50 miles more on SR 28 West into Leesburg.  Be careful to have enough water and food in this stretch - once you get west of Alexandria, there is almost nothing until Leesville, which is where you pick up US 171 South for 21 miles into Deridder.  This will intersect US 190 West on the Southern Tier.