Roanoke, VA to Chapel Hill, NC

[alfredmay]

I will be taking a trip without the RV from Roanoke to Chapel Hill. My choices are I-81 to I-77 to I-74 to I-40 OR US 220 to I-40.

My map program shows the Interstate route as 95 miles longer and one hour slower. For those of you who are familiar with this area which route do you suggest? Will US 220 really be faster? Is US 220 two or four lanes? Are there traffic lights and low speed areas in the small towns it passes thru?

[alfredmay]

Thanks guys. I have been down I-81 and I-77 many times, but never travelled US 220. Sometimes taking a US highway can be a big mistake and other times it works out well.

[Merrykalia]

Yeah, I would do the Rt 220, also. I-77 going down Fancy Gap can be a real pain on occasion.

[KD4UPL]

I've been down that entire length of 220 in an 18 wheeler. It's a good road. Lots of it is 4 lane divided highway. There may be some 2 lane sections, I don't remember. There are stop lights and slow speed zones in some of the towns. Overall, it's a nice drive. It's the way I would go.