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.

I-81 has hills, some steeper than others, but not overly steep. I-77 has 6% grade going down through Fancy Gap towards Charlotte that will give your brakes a workout if you let your speed get away from you. We take that route to and from Florida every winter, and haven't had any problems with it. Ft Chiswell RV park at the I-77/I-81 junction is a nice overnight park that's easy in and out from I-81 and has mostly pull through sites. There are plenty of fuel stops along the way, including at the Ft Chiswell exit. If you drop down to Charlotte first, we like the Carowinds Camp Wilderness RV Park for an overnight stop.

Thank you! That's great info. I appreciate it very much.

Like stated above, 81 has hills, 77 has HILLS, with 1 or 2 run away truck ramps on the side.. BUT no worries if your smart about it... Once you hit charlotte, we also stay at Camp carowinds.... going to 95, take 77 south into Columbia, it is mostly level, with some small hills nothing worse than 95... Once around Columbia, hop on 26 East, take it to 95.. It will place you on 95 at around the 85 MM in South Carolina. Tha is also basically level, with some small inclines

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.That far north...I would take 66 just south of Winchester,Va. Then scoot across 17 into Fredericksburg. Or maybe I-64, but there is a lot less traffic on 17...it is still 4 lane.Then you can stop and see Pedro (south of the border)...before someone gets their panties in a wad and closes the entire area because it is offensive.

I also like 66 and 17 but I don't like to go the same way twice in a row.

I-81 and I-77 through PA and VA | Good Sam Community

Lumpty
Explorer
Jul 20, 2018
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
Explorer
Jul 19, 2018
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
Explorer
Jul 19, 2018
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
Explorer
Jul 19, 2018
We live near Albright College. Have you decided on a campground?
Juzaxadar
Explorer
Jul 18, 2018
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
Explorer
Jul 18, 2018
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
Explorer II
Jul 18, 2018
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
Explorer
Jul 18, 2018
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
Explorer
Jul 18, 2018
One thing to remember NC has a 30cent gas tax that Va and SC doesn't.
Campin_LI
Explorer
Jul 17, 2018
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.

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