I 64 from Outer Banks to Illinois

[charlysmom_dad]

Are there any steep mountains grades on Interstate 64 from North Carolina to Illinois that we should avoid? Any help appreciated.

[jnharley]

I64 is just fine for towing. We tow our 5th wheel through that area almost every year.

[Doug_and_Cassi_]

You're missing a gorgeous drive. There are some grades on I-64, the longest pull is west of Beckley. There are NONE, ZERO to be afraid of. If coming from NC take I-77 into VA and meet I-64 at Beckley. Tolls are cheap and all good road. Tolls start near Bluefield and are $2-3 at each of two or three plazas.

Tamarack just west of Beckley is well worth a stop to see the skill of WV craftsmen and artists. The food there is by The Greenbrier, one of the premier resorts in the USA.

Once you get to Charleston the hills are finished.

If you come up 77 there is a long pull right at the NC/VA state line but you will miss the long pull west of Beckley.

I'll be heading to Springfield, MO on June 1st so I'll toot as I go thru Illinois. Quick car trip, so no air horn.

[charlysmom_dad]

We decided to take I 40 after studying the map.

[trailertraveler]

We have driven I-64 from Virginia Beach to Saint Louis. Some sections several times. It is pretty good road with, in my experience, less traffic than I-40 or I-70. The worst road surface the last time we drove it was the turnpike section where I-64 & I-77 run together. As said there are some grades on I-64, the steepest in my recollection is near Beckley, WV.

Since I-64 does not go into North Carolina, where were you going to pick it up?

[charlysmom_dad]

Roundtwo-40 wrote:
Once you get to Illinois a hill would be considered a tourist attraction, We're pretty flat.

Thanks for the replies. I know Illinois is flat, we rarely go east, and were amazed at all the hilly, windy interstates.

[Roundtwo-40]

Once you get to Illinois a hill would be considered a tourist attraction, We're pretty flat.

[KD4UPL]

I-64 has lots of steep grades going thru WV. Sandstone mountain is particularly bad. Afton mountain in VA usually has trucks down to 35 mph or so with. There are some other long pulls in western VA. Should you avoid them? Not if you want to get from NC to IL. The grade on the interstate will be far better than any alternate routes.