I suggest you pick up I-64 at St. Louis, rather than I-70. I cannot believe that I-64 is not a few miles shorter, and it definitely has less traffic and far fewer semis. I-70 between Indy and Columbus is especially crowded. It is a very busy corridor. I lived in Ohio for 30 years.
I was in Louisville over the weekend and drove I-64 from there to Charleston, and beyond, on Monday. Driving across Kentucky is pleasant with little traffic, even around Lexington. It gets a little congested between Huntington and Charleston, but nothing compared to I-70 across Ohio.
My route is a little hillier, but nothing to worry about. Gently rolling hills in eastern Kentucky and most of I-79. There are two steep ones with truck lanes within the first 10 miles north of Charleston, but they're short and should be no big deal.
I suggest I-44, I-64, and I-79.
Wayne
