I-81 and I-77 through PA and VA

Juzaxadar wrote:
I concur on I-77. The grade isn't too bad if you take it easy, but beware fog mostly for the other drivers

How bad is traffic through DC? I am making a trip through in a few weeks and the GS trip planner takes me right through the middle. Is the beltway better?

My guess is I'll be passing through mid-morning, 10am-ish.

I run threw DC every few weeks without the camper.... Its hit or miss really.... I try to hit the draw bridge area right around 11ish... this will allow the EZ pass express lanes further south to open and take some of the traffic out of the regular lanes..

I have had it take me 4-1/2 hrs...5-1/2 hrs... 6 hrs... no rhyme or reason really... when its flowing, its good ! !

I concur on I-77. The grade isn't too bad if you take it easy, but beware fog mostly for the other drivers

How bad is traffic through DC? I am making a trip through in a few weeks and the GS trip planner takes me right through the middle. Is the beltway better?

My guess is I'll be passing through mid-morning, 10am-ish.

Dutch_12078 wrote:

cbshoestring wrote:
81,77,26 95 is the preferred route of many. However, NC has been doing a lot of construction in Lake Norman, and the Charlotte traffic is legendary.

We take the 485 loop around Charlotte and rarely run into any significant traffic.

Yes, we would take I-485 around Charlotte - adds to the distance, but not the time. Unfortunately, much of the I-77 construction is before I-485. Construction starts at exit 36 and I-485 is exit 19.

Sarah flew out of Charlotte twice in June. Both times she had major delays due to construction on I-77.

We've taken the RV down I-77 twice this year. Once at 3 AM on a Sunday morning - no problem. Once at 10 AM on a Monday. That was slow going, but not stopped.

Thankfully, the I-77 project is scheduled to wrap up later this year.

Tom

cbshoestring wrote:
81,77,26 95 is the preferred route of many. However, NC has been doing a lot of construction in Lake Norman, and the Charlotte traffic is legendary.

We take the 485 loop around Charlotte and rarely run into any significant traffic.

Depending on the weather conditions, the decent into Fancy Gap on I-77 can have some pretty dense fog. They have digital speed limit signs that they sometimes adjust down for that reason. I think the fog can be more of a concern than the grade itself; there are occasionally some pretty massive pile-ups from people outdriving their sight lines.

As with anything, if you pay attention and drive appropriately for the conditions it's a very reasonable route and I think about the best way to go all told.

I also like 66 and 17 but I don't like to go the same way twice in a row.

81,77,26 95 is the preferred route of many. However, NC has been doing a lot of construction in Lake Norman, and the Charlotte traffic is legendary.

That far north...I would take 66 just south of Winchester,Va. Then scoot across 17 into Fredericksburg. Or maybe I-64, but there is a lot less traffic on 17...it is still 4 lane.

Then you can stop and see Pedro (south of the border)...before someone gets their panties in a wad and closes the entire area because it is offensive.

Like stated above, 81 has hills, 77 has HILLS, with 1 or 2 run away truck ramps on the side.. BUT no worries if your smart about it...

Once you hit charlotte, we also stay at Camp carowinds.... going to 95, take 77 south into Columbia, it is mostly level, with some small hills nothing worse than 95... Once around Columbia, hop on 26 East, take it to 95.. It will place you on 95 at around the 85 MM in South Carolina. Tha is also basically level, with some small inclines

Thank you! That's great info. I appreciate it very much.

I-81 has hills, some steeper than others, but not overly steep. I-77 has 6% grade going down through Fancy Gap towards Charlotte that will give your brakes a workout if you let your speed get away from you. We take that route to and from Florida every winter, and haven't had any problems with it. Ft Chiswell RV park at the I-77/I-81 junction is a nice overnight park that's easy in and out from I-81 and has mostly pull through sites. There are plenty of fuel stops along the way, including at the Ft Chiswell exit. If you drop down to Charlotte first, we like the Carowinds Camp Wilderness RV Park for an overnight stop.