Forum Discussion

jasoncw's avatar
jasoncw
Explorer
Dec 02, 2015

Route from Detroit to Myrtle Beach

This is not a winter trip, just planning for next summer. We have reservations in MB, so I'm figuring out where to stay for an overnighter on the way down.

Current plan:
I75 south to Findley, OH, then take US23 to Delaware, OH, and cut over to I71. From Columbus, take US33 to I77. Stay on I77 until across the NC border, then I74 past Rockingham (just north of the NC/SC border), then take Hwy 38/501 down into Myrtle Beach.

Does that sound like the best route? Or better alternatives? We plan to drive about 2/3 on day 1, then the rest on day 2. We are looking to stay at Fort Chiswell, VA.

I will assume the route in reverse would work for going home, but the problem is finding a campground for an overnighter just off the freeway on the way back. For the route back, I'm thinking of stopping just past Charleston, WV. I found a Rippling Waters Church of God campground, but that seems iffy. So any suggestions right around that area would be wonderful!

Thanks!
Roads and Routes
  • ken56's avatar
    ken56
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2015
    You are looking at 812 miles. Being a summer trip a 7 to 8 hr. day is needed to get half way. Look in the Wytheville area for an overnight. The route is good with one long down hill grade on 77 going into NC. Its in the 10% range, I forget exactly what it is. Gear down and don't burn up your brakes. 77 through WV is a toll rd. from just south of Charleston to about Beckley. The road can be a little hilly and curvy through that stretch.
  • Beavis01350's avatar
    Beavis01350
    Explorer
    Dec 03, 2015
    We do this trip every year, we stay at the Wytheville KOA, easy in easy out, fuel stations, right on the freeway and level spots so you dont have to unhook. its like 500 miles the first day, 300 the second, and we leave the second pretty early so we get into Myrtle around 3pm and do our shopping and everything that day so we can enjoy the beech. I do push hard on the way home and go all the way. we take the OH turnpike all the way over to 77 and go down from there. Might add acouple miles, but time wise its real close. Just dont stay at the beckley wv exhibition coal mine campground. Most unsettling feeling in the world.....
  • ken56's avatar
    ken56
    Explorer
    Dec 03, 2015
    Your route will be slower than if you just cut over to 77 on the turn pike. My brother lives outside Raleigh NC and we did this route in around 12 hrs. to Raleigh from the Flint area. We have done your intended route when we have had more time to take. You are in for long driving days so plan accordingly. I would cover as much ground as I could stand the first day. I use the RVPARKY app to find parks on my route. Check it out.
  • jasoncw's avatar
    jasoncw
    Explorer
    Dec 03, 2015
    Thanks for the input. I am traveling down with two other RVers, and one is pretty stingy, so I'm trying to avoid as much tolls as possible. That's why I opted to stay off the OH turnpike. I don't want to go way out of the way to do it though, so I know I will have to hit at least some of it on 77.

    Any suggestions for the stop on the way back? I have RVParky, and I also used the GS Trips site, but I didn't find a whole lot of CGs just off the highway. I was hoping someone stayed in the area that could recommend one. That is a bit too long for me to drive the whole way. Because of the stops I have to make for the kids, it will probably be about 14 hours total.
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Dec 03, 2015
    Once you get on 74, Run it to 410, to 701 to 9, to 31, and from there what ever part of Myrtle you want to go.

    BTW. There are no 10% grades on 77. Or any other interstates.
    Actually the max grade of Fancy Gap is less than 5% for 4 miles. The rest is in the 3.5%.

    Also on 77 at Statesville. There is a KOA, and at Mount Ari. There is Mayberry Campground
  • ken56's avatar
    ken56
    Explorer
    Dec 03, 2015
    My bad. 3.9% average grade for 6.2 miles. Its been a little while since I went down it last. You may try to use a Walmart store for an overnight on the way back maybe? Take notes on the way down for any parks that may be unlisted if you intend to retrace the route home. Other places that may let you overnite are Cracker Barrels, Pilots/Flying J's. Just please don't try to over do it and drive when you are tired.
  • jasoncw's avatar
    jasoncw
    Explorer
    Dec 03, 2015
    Thanks for the advice. I've made 9-hours trips on multiple occasions. I always make sure I get a good night's sleep the night before. My brother made that mistake once, and it almost cost him his life (on the PA turnpike).

    I don't plan to dry camp overnight, as it will likely be pretty hot (mid-July), and I don't have a generator to run my A/C.
  • wvcampers's avatar
    wvcampers
    Explorer
    Dec 04, 2015
    The Rippling Waters Campground is the only one in the Charleston area. I live just a few miles from it. They have some pull through sites that are level and you will not have to unhook. It is off the beaten path, but is well maintained. It is owned by a church group and is used a lot. It seems like a long way off the interstate because it is small 2 lane road, just take it slow and you will be fine. I travel to Clinton Michigan to visit relatives and route 33 is shorter than the Ohio Turnpike but the travel time is about the same.

About Bucket List Trips

13,487 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 18, 2025