I-81 and I-77 through PA and VA

[Campin_LI]

Hi everyone! I'm going to be near Albright College in PA. I'm planning a trip to FL from there which will be putting me on I-77 between Exit 59 Hampden, Pensylvania and Exit 81 Fort Chiswell, Virginia. Then taking I-77 South to I-95 South.

Is this a flat route (as compared to I-95), making it easy to tow my travel trailer? Will there be places to stop for gas along the way? How about a place to spend the night along the way?

Is there a better route to take? I wanted to avoid Washington on I-95 as I would be passing there on a Friday afternoon during rush hour traffic.

Thanks for any help.

[Lumpty]

Juzaxadar wrote:
If you're planning on heading South West on I-85 from Charlotte I would take I-40 W to 321 S, to I-85 S. That road is better than 77 during all of the traffic and construction. That usually adds up to a quicker trip for me.

I was going to give away this secret and got beat to it.

[pulsar]

dpgllg wrote:
Fort Chiswell RV park is a great stop for overnight. Have used it many times. Once had to use the KOA one exit north from there and never again. Worst experience ever!

The decent into North Carolina is long and a little steep but I have driven it many times and as long as you stay alert and keep your speed down you will have no problems.

Have a safe trip!

Dave

We like the Fort Chisel RV Park. The KOA in that area is south on I-81 in Wytheville, VA. At the same exit as Fort Chiswell RV Park (exit 80) is a Pioneer Village Campground that we also use because of the nice areas and stream for exercising our dogs. (Pioneer Village Campground is exit 84 if traveling south on I-81.)

Tom

[Richert]

We travel 81,77,26,95 at least twice a year, sometimes more, the steep downgrade is long I try to stay around same speed as it took to climb the hill, 45-50, the construction on 77 from lake Norman to Charlotte is not bad if you travel at off hours, we came through there between 1-2 pm with very light traffic. I recommend it. FYI we went over to cape Hatteras and then down 95, NC & SC have some really rough areas and traffic was fairly heavy. Lots of CG's along the recommended route.

[RGar974417]

We live near Albright College. Have you decided on a campground?

[Juzaxadar]

If you're planning on heading South West on I-85 from Charlotte I would take I-40 W to 321 S, to I-85 S. That road is better than 77 during all of the traffic and construction. That usually adds up to a quicker trip for me.

[dpgllg]

Fort Chiswell RV park is a great stop for overnight. Have used it many times. Once had to use the KOA one exit north from there and never again. Worst experience ever!

The decent into North Carolina is long and a little steep but I have driven it many times and as long as you stay alert and keep your speed down you will have no problems.

Have a safe trip!

Dave

[Big_Katuna]

They were trying to ease congestion on I77 where it was one lane.

I took the detour in the DP and boy did I regret it. Curvy, hilly, tight corners next to rock cliffs. One 8% downhill. I should have known when the truckers didn’t get off.

Much of 77 really sucks these days. I used to like it but I’m trying 75 on my way back.

It’s a shame how bad our roads are getting.

[pinesman]

I don't know when you are doing this but last week there was apparently construction going on 77 and they were detouring traffic on 81 from Christiansburg to take 460 to Bluefield (rather than stay on 81 to Ft. Chiswell and use 77) I am not sure if 77 was closed or they were just trying to help with the congestion.

[blknomad]

One thing to remember NC has a 30cent gas tax that Va and SC doesn't.

[Campin_LI]

Thanks again everyone for the tips. Very much appreciate the info. As for DC, we've been through there before and it really is hit or miss as the poster above stated. We try to avoid it.

[ford_truck_guy]

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 ! !

[Juzaxadar]

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.

[pulsar]

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

[Dutch_12078]

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.