Which to choose through Kentucky or West Virginia

Just curious if you have made your trip and how RT 23 was for you.

Robo's Drive In is in Pound, VA, about 6-7 miles from the Kentucky border. It will be on the south-bound side of the highway.

It has great burgers and shakes and people drive from all around the area to eat there.

There is a used car lot just beyond the restaurant if the lots is full.

Natural Tunnel State Park is on your way, at mile marker 17.3 (or about that) on Rt 23 in Virginia. It has some wonderful scenery, great hiking/walking trails, a nice pool and, of course, the natural tunnel. That's just in case you need a good stopping place about ?halfway? from Ohio (about 5 hrs from the Dayton area) and about 2 1/2 hrs from Asheville.

Good to know. Have a good trip and enjoy Elk Park. Don't forget the waterfall. We haven't gone there in a long time, but it was impressive and probably still is.

kyhawk wrote:
Since we go through Elk Park several times a year I gotta ask...why there? Except for Elk Falls it always seems like there's nothing there. We live just south of Cincinnati and usually take I-75 to Corbin, then 25 down under Cumberland Gap to I-81 and over to the Johnson City area. From Xenia 23 or I-77 probably make more sense.

Why Elk Park, hmmmm??? Well, because of a teeny tiny campground I found to stay at that will be our hub for touring the area for a few days before we head to Lake Powhatan to tour Biltmore the following week! :)

Since we go through Elk Park several times a year I gotta ask...why there? Except for Elk Falls it always seems like there's nothing there. We live just south of Cincinnati and usually take I-75 to Corbin, then 25E down under Cumberland Gap to I-81 and over to the Johnson City area. From Xenia 23 or I-77 probably make more sense.

Don't know why people shy away from I77 through WV. Yes some sections are older but it is a pleasant and not hard drive. Have done it pulling 30, 33, and 36 foot 5th Wheels with no problem. Yes it is a toll road, but one of the least expensive ones in the country. About $10 to go all the way through WV.

Wow, thank you all so much!

We've decided to go the route 23 way and am looking forward to the trip! Are there any neat little restaurants to stop at along the way?

Thank you all again!!

Toll 77 thru W.Va. is now a good hyway. I grew up in ohio, north of Dayton and live in Miami, Fl. We take a trip up there often. We always took I-75 thru Atlannta & Cinci. HATE THAT!!!! The last 3 triups have been up I-95, I-26, I-77 & W.Va. Toll way. Fine routes. I'll do ANYTHING not to got thru Dayton, Cinci. & Atlanta.

We prefer Rt23 for on our trips from WV to the Smoky Mountains. It is a very easy, relaxing tow. We take it all the way from I64 to 11W.

We live on Rt 23 and during the Bristol race week, there are hundreds of motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers and popups that come down and back up to Ohio on Rt 23. It is all four lane, mostly limited access, but does go through several towns.

It goes through the mountains and has some curves, but is definitely a quicker route between Ohio and Bristol than using either of the Interstates (75 or 64/77).

We have a 36' fifth wheel and I wouldn't hesitate to take it on this route. We are actually heading to my sister's tomorrow and will be heading north on 23, but will head on west toward Cinci.