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Hey Bonnaroo Folk. Hope everybody is enjoying their spring/early summer out there. I basically have a few questions to ask about the arrival at Bonnaroo. The only thing is, I'm coming from Cleveland, Ohio. I was wondering if anybody has made the trip from Cleveland or a similiar area near or along the route to Manchester. I've been steadfast in trying to figure out the best way/time to get there...... From what I've gathered... If you want to get there early with peace of mind on Wednesday night or before 9am Thursday, chances are you'll most likely end up in BFE. I'm a rational man and i understand that most of this is surely luck of the draw, but if there is a way for me to maximize my experience, I'm going to. So I plan on getting there Thursday AM around anywhere between 9 and Noon. I've heard plenty of speculation on what route/exit to take but I want some opinions from someone who has come from my area if possible. I've read that it's best to come through Nashville and take Exit 112, but I have also read that it's quite advantageous to go past the Bonnaroo exit and backtrack from there back to Bonnaroo which can get rid of the traffic hassle? I understand that this topic has been exhausted to death and most of you are probably sick of seeing this posts and responding to them, but I just want some insight and hopefully a few answers. All in all, I'm freakin' pumped for this year and I can't wait for this shit. First Timer, but I'm sure it won't be my last. I appreciate any help.
Post by Del Griffith on May 25, 2011 17:24:48 GMT -5
i'm driving from columbus.
i take 71 S to 65 S to 24 E.
the 112 exit is off 24 W.
you'll have to drive a little further up the road and turn around if you want to enter ROO thru exit 112 (it's a makeshift exit opened every year during ROO).
Going to Bonnaroo the last three years from Cleveland we've been in BFE twice, by the pond, and close once, two blocks from the ferris wheel entrance, arriving right around 7am all three times. The first year that we were close we came in through the freeway entrance, the next two the back entrance. This being said I don't think you have much choice in which entrance you come in, the police direct you which way to go. I would think that you would want to get there as early as possible in your time frame, stories of late morning early afternoon arrivals on Thursday would suggest your wait will increase significantly. That being said if they keep the gates open all night Wednesday, as suggested by 7pm opening time on website, I would think entry will go much smoother. That's my experience hope you find it helpful.
Post by th3int3rn3t on May 25, 2011 17:48:21 GMT -5
i come from about am hour and a half from cleveland, so ive pretty much made the same journey that you will... Last year my friends and I arrived the day before and stayed with another friend that lives near roo, and then we left at about 10 am from his place (about a 30 minute drive to Manchester). this drive ended up taking us a little over 10 hours in bumper to bumper traffic, making me miss some of the bands that i had most excited to see (Baroness!), and also making us have to set up our tent in the dark.
Last year was our first roo, and after actually experiencing it, we (like you) want to get the most out of it this year. So... we plan on heading in on wednesday night and probably get in line at about 9:00pm (so that we can have an extra night of awesomeness that only roo provides). if we end up in BFE, and do not like it, then we're packing up and going to tent only. (I dont really think we will end up in BFE though, because i think since the gates officially open on wednesday a lot of first timers and other people will be coming in early) Hopefull not getting in line until 9 will also let BFE fill up before we get there.
as far as passing the exit and backtracking goes... thats pretty much just cutting in front of all the others... the main reason it took us 10 hours to get into roo was because people kept cutting in front of traffic... almost everyone i talked to that had camped around us were only in line for about 6 hours... this is proof that wayyy too many people were just driving around traffic.
summary: get there as early as possible (aka wed night) and have fun move to tent only if your campsite sucks too bad dont cut traffic and be a good person dont get bored on inforoo and make really long posts when your just going to summarize them
My husband and I are coming from the Akron area. We plan on leaving about 3ish on Wed, driving to Nashville and stating in a hotel. Then getting up about 4 or 5, grabbing some breakfast and heading to Manchester. We thought about driving straight through but we don't want to try to set up in the dark this being our first Roo and all and I was worried about being too early and getting stuck in BFE.
