Traveling to Lynchburg, Va from Bowling Green KY

[pondriver]

I'm looking to travel from Bowling Green KY to Lynchburg VA next week. Google maps takes me south on I40 to I81. The other route is through Lexington, KY on I64. I'm towing with a 1/2 ton 5.3 Silverado with a Jayco 23b. Just curious with path is easier. Thanks.

[pondriver]

We were planning to stay at Lynchburg/Blue Ridge Parkway KOA. Then drive into Lynchburg. I'm leaning towards I64 route. Is there a better campsite near Lynchburg? Thanks for the advice.

[Johno02]

I have run both ways lots of times. I like the run through WV better, because I hate to drive the traffic on I40 and I81. WV route has more twists and hills, but is a lot prettier IMHO.

[jkwilson]

Though I like the 64 route through the mountains vs. the 40 route, you are too far south IMO to benefit from it. 40 has much more serious grades than 64/77, but still nothing to be too worried about. I'd take the Cumberland/Rogers Parkway over to London, then down to Corbin on 75 and off through the Cumberland Gap on the parkway to hit 40. 4 lane all the way I believe. I've driven that area quite a lot as my wife and I have family spread from Versailles to Somerset.

[naturist]

I will add that I-81 has one of the highest accident rate in the country, mostly because traffic is so heavy and it is only two lanes each way. I’d recommend I-64 for that reason alone. The toll road is only between Charleston and Beckley and cost isn’t very high.

If you exit I-64 at US-60 Buena Vista, you’ll be on I-81 only a mile. Turn right on 501 at the light in Buena Vista, then stay straight on VA 130 when 501 crosses the river and you’ll have only a couple miles of twisty road. 501/130, though only two lane, isn’t bad. 501 from the river crossing 18 miles into Lynchburg is horrible, a true sports car road. We lose a semi over the edge from time to time. There’s a curve there with a pile of big trucks at the bottom because they can’t pull the wreckage up, no room for the big tow truck needed to lift them up.

We take the 501/130/I-64 route frequently to visit family. Have a great trip.

[KD4UPL]

I assume you mean I40 to I81. I64/77 thru WV has a lot of mountains and it's a toll road. It's a beautiful drive and one of my favorite pieces of interstate but it is right thru the heart of "The Mountain State". I64 from Beckley to Lexington, VA has very low traffic volume. I81 has extremely high traffic volume, most of it 18 wheelers. It's one of the busiest interstate corridors in the country.
If you don't mind mountains I'd take I64 thru WV for the scenery and less traffic. If you want to avoid mountains, go I40.