1

If you drive straight north from New Orleans to Interstate-40 in Tennessee, you could stay in Nashville. Then take Interstate-40 straight through Knoxville, transfer due East to Atlanta.

I drove from Knoxville to Atlanta, then south into Florida, then Interstate-10 to New Orleans, then back north to Interstate-40 and Memphis in October 2009. Not much scenery along Interstate-10 unless you take side trips to see the Gulf of Mexico. I had already seen the Gulf while driving down to Tampa, Florida.

2

#1's suggestion of heading to xNashville is very much out of the way.

The obvious choice would be Montgomery.

3

Look at a map and pick a midway point, we dont know what you want to see/do/enjoy.

4

Thank you once again for the suggestions. I had thought of Montgomery - quite a lot of historical places to see. I have always wanted to see some of the plantation houses, so this will be a great introduction.

5

S- I'm not sure which route you're following to Atlanta, but I'd suggest passing through Birmingham. If you're taking I-59 to I-20, it won't be a detour. If I-85 is your choice, it will be somewhat out of the way, but not much.

Birmingham has, perhaps surprisingly, lots of great food, and some nice neighborhoods too. I've stayed at a Marriott Courtyard near UAB's hospital complex, it was new and quite nice.

A few restaurants/bars to consider: Chez Fon Fon, Hot & Hot Fish House and a little french bakery that will make you wonder if you're really in AL. --
Continental Bakery
1909 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook, AL 35223

Another route you could take would be I-10 along the coast. It will be longer but more scenic. Depending on how you'd like to break up your drive, you could follow the Florida panhandle toward Tallahassee (5 hrs to ATL) and then turn north. Or, you could head north through Dothan AL to Eufala AL, a small historic town south of Columbus, GA.

6

It's actually shorter and quicker than via I-59.

7

It doesn't really sound like you're looking for something between the two....just drive to ATL. It's 7.5 hours by car.