Heading to Fla panhandle (Santa Rosa) from central MD in a few weeks, finalizing the route. Have taken 95 to Eastern Fla and other points North several times. 95 for me is a bit of a nightmare to start the trip as the begining gets me into DC, beltway etc. LOTS of traffic and can be some white knuckle driving. I like to try and relax on my trips. Then the section of 95 in the norther partn is just a plain piece of bad road. Tank traps galore. But it's level. It does add less than an hour to the trip. 81 is easier to access for me, less stressful and is a shorter distance. But it has a lot of OTR trucks and 50% of that journey is through some decent mountains which equals worse MPG. I actually prefer 81, but the mountains can be laborious after while. Anyone have a preferance or a dynamic I am not seeing? Thanks

Don't forget, the part of I-81 between I-64 and Bristol has one of the highest accident rates in the country as a consequence of too many vehicles and too little pavement.

All my roads go thru Gatlinburg TN Smoky Mtns no matter where we go - Looks like it is I81 for me...Roy Ken

naturist wrote:Don't forget, the part of I-81 between I-64 and Bristol has one of the highest accident rates in the country as a consequence of too many vehicles and too little pavement.I think if I took 81 I would cut down through Charlotte via 77 to 85 instead of skirting out to Chatanooga.

I too live in central MD and do not take the DC beltway any more. If I want to access 95 south I take 15 through Point of Rocks, Leesburg, Warrenton then 17 to Fredericksburg. To access 81 I take 340 and 7 to Winchester VA. The difference in mpg on 81 is more than offset by the ease of driving. I am all for the most enjoyable trip I can have. Personally I prefer 81.Whatever you decide may you have a great journey.Safe travels, Brenda

Effy wrote:Heading to Fla panhandle (Santa Rosa) from central MD in a few weeks, finalizing the route. Have taken 95 to Eastern Fla and other points North several times. 95 for me is a bit of a nightmare to start the trip as the begining gets me into DC, beltway etc. LOTS of traffic and can be some white knuckle driving. I like to try and relax on my trips. Then the section of 95 in the norther partn is just a plain piece of bad road. Tank traps galore. But it's level. It does add less than an hour to the trip. 81 is easier to access for me, less stressful and is a shorter distance. But it has a lot of OTR trucks and 50% of that journey is through some decent mountains which equals worse MPG. I actually prefer 81, but the mountains can be laborious after while. Anyone have a preferance or a dynamic I am not seeing? ThanksTough call,but last year we were in Santa Rosa and were heading to Ct....so I decided to come up 331 thru Alabama..to I-65 in Momtgomery ...up past Birmingham on 65 to Chattannoga....then 40 to 81 and up to Ct....it was a great ride and saved about 300 miles...If I was heading back there I would go the same way...also,quite a choice of campgrounds as you go...Chuck

81 or 95? | Good Sam Community

Effy
Explorer II
Mar 04, 2014
How was Santa Rosa Chuck? Never been there but it looks really nice. We're booked at Topsail. Going there there for low key atmosphere, cost and not too far south. My son loves to snorkel and dive I hear there are good places there and easy biking to everything.
Roman_Duck
Explorer
Mar 04, 2014
DavisK wrote:
To bypass DC traffic, I would take US 15 down to Warrenton and then US 17 to Fredericksburg and pick up I-95 there. If you take I-295 around Richmond the next traffic you'll hit will be Jacksonville.

If you take I-81, I-77 and I-85 you'll hit bad traffic in Charlotte and Atlanta.

Edit: I just reread your post and noticed you're going to the panhandle. I'm not sure which route I would advise. I-95 would probably be longer.

X2 the 15 to 17 to 95 to 295 way
Merrykalia
Explorer
Mar 04, 2014
I would rather drive an extra 2 hours and 140 miles out of my way to keep off of I-95, especially around the DC area!!!!
Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Mar 04, 2014
Considering how far west in the pan handle your are headed I81-I75-I59 is probably your best route thru eastern Tennessee and south thru Alabama. Much better drive than I95 in all respects. Just watch your speed thru Chattanooga as the road weaves thru the mountain passes.

There are a bunch of Virginia and Tennessee State parks along the route that are good for a one night over stop at less than $30 a night.
BIGBIRD130
Explorer
Mar 04, 2014
Been going to Destin for 35 years
Don't know if you will like this but at least you can check it out
I-81 to I-77 South to XT 51B to I-40 West to XT 123 US 321 South to I-85 South to I 285 Bypass to I 85 South to I-185 to US 431 South to US 231 South to SR 273 South to Sr 77 South to I-10 West to XT 85 to US 331 South to US 98 West to Santa Rosa
It may be longer-shorter who knows?
It's a nice ride
Just another route to look at
dieharder
Explorer
Mar 04, 2014
DavisK wrote:
To bypass DC traffic, I would take US 15 down to Warrenton and then US 17 to Fredericksburg and pick up I-95 there. If you take I-295 around Richmond the next traffic you'll hit will be Jacksonville.

If you take I-81, I-77 and I-85 you'll hit bad traffic in Charlotte and Atlanta.

Edit: I just reread your post and noticed you're going to the panhandle. I'm not sure which route I would advise. I-95 would probably be longer.

Take the 485 around it and you miss the Charlotte traffic. No comment on Atlanta, though...
Effy
Explorer II
Mar 04, 2014
BIGBIRD130 wrote:
Been going to Destin for 35 years
Don't know if you will like this but at least you can check it out
I-81 to I-77 South to XT 51B to I-40 West to XT 123 US 321 South to I-85 South to I 285 Bypass to I 85 South to I-185 to US 431 South to US 231 South to SR 273 South to Sr 77 South to I-10 West to XT 85 to US 331 South to US 98 West to Santa Rosa
It may be longer-shorter who knows?
It's a nice ride
Just another route to look at

Thanks,

It's our first time to Destin. I am really looking fwd to it. If you have any suggestions on things to see, local food, nice place to relax with a brew that's kid friendly, places to snorkel/dive etc. We like to to try and immerse into the local atmosphere as much as we can. Staying at Topsail, not sure if we'll take the car or get one, but we will definitely have bikes.

edit: that's exactly the route I was looking at.
ct1964ups
Explorer
Mar 04, 2014
Effy wrote:
How was Santa Rosa Chuck? Never been there but it looks really nice. We're booked at Topsail. Going there there for low key atmosphere, cost and not too far south. My son loves to snorkel and dive I hear there are good places there and easy biking to everything.

we stayed at Topsail like you are going to...just down the street from topsail is a local place to eat called Elmo's..can bike....great gumbo and oysters on 1/2 shell plus other food......also Like Dewey's of Destin..but the one on the pier behind the Irish Pub at the bridge...also the Back Porch is another decent place to eat
can rent boats down by dewey's also.....
BIGBIRD130
Explorer
Mar 04, 2014
Places to go in Destin and area

Breakfast Donut Hole
Another Broken Egg

Lunch The Back Porch
Dinner Margaritaville Just opened but the
location has a great view of the
Harbor
McGuire's Irish Pub Fun place

Museum Eglin AFB Armament Museum
History of weapons on
airplanes
Many airplanes on display

Gulfarium Marine animal park
Gets great reviews

Sea Food Sexton's
Destin Ice and Seafood
Blalocks

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