I'm in the process of planning next year's tour that includes the entirety of the Natchez Trace Pkwy. There's lots of advice/idea/suggestions regarding the Trace so not asking about that here. What I am interested in is getting to and from the endpoints. I'll be starting out in St. Louis and riding to the northern end outside of Nashville. What I do when I finish at the southern end is still unclear but I was thinking of pedaling to Texarkana and taking the train back home to Chicago from there. I'm looking for route suggestions for both legs.

The reason I plan to go to Texarkana and not back to Jackson, MS to catch the train is that I have a goal to pedal in all 50 states and picking up LA and TX would be really nice since I'm so close. I'm not opposed to missing TX or a portion of the Trace if there are other great alternatives. I just don't have time to pedal all the way back to Chicago so I have to end where I can pick up a train. This will also be my first time traveling through the southern US. I haven't yet decided on whether or not I would camp or CC tour though I am leaning toward fully loaded camping. This would also take place in early May so I hope to avoid most of the heavy tourist season.