ImaDuffer264
join:2003-11-05
Mercer, PA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·Armstrong Zoom In..
| Takin' a trip
Next week my wife and I will be leaving Mercer, Pa (where I-80 and I-79 intersect) and traveling to Raleigh, NC to see our daughter. We've made the trip a number of other times and always take the quickest route which is I-79 S into West Virginia to Rte 19 S (Mountaineer Expressway) to I-77 S to I-74 to Rte 52 into Winston/Salem then I-40 into Raleigh.
We'll hit the road at our usual time at around 6:00am. The trip is usually about 9-1/2 hours. Now, my daughter called and said she has a meeting that night at 5:00 and would not be able to meet us until 6-6:30 so I've been looking at alternate ways to get there since we'll have a few extra hours and just to break up the monotony of the same trip each time.
I'm thinking this time we may take the PA turnpike (I-76) from I-79 to Breezewood, Pa and pick-up I-70 S To Hagerstown, Md then I-81 South to ???. This is where I'm not sure what to do. I'm thinking we'd like to go through Lynchburg, Va Then take 29 south to 86 until we pick-up I-40 just outside Raleigh.
I'm hoping someone that has made a similar trip or someone in the Lynchburg/Danville, Va areas could give me some pointers on the best routes to take to get off I-81 and head south.
Anytime in the past that I've gotten off the interstates I usually end up kicking myself because of the extra time it takes to get where I'm going but the wife and I both love to travel the smaller roads and see some of the small towns and the sights along the way.
Any suggestions? |
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cocothebean
You Are My Nightmare
Premium
join:2002-11-16
Carson City, NV
·Charter Pipeline
edit:
May 8th, @02:33PM
| This looks like a real time killer if I ever saw one!!!
»maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g···z=5&pw=2 |
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ImaDuffer264
join:2003-11-05
Mercer, PA | Ummmm thanks anyway but as I said in the first paragraph that is the exact way we have gone on numerous occasions. I'm looking for alternate routes. |
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cocothebean
You Are My Nightmare
Premium
join:2002-11-16
Carson City, NV | reply to ImaDuffer264
Then take I80e to I95s to Highway64w |
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ImaDuffer264
join:2003-11-05
Mercer, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·Armstrong Zoom In..
| Thank-you for taking the time to help, I really do appreciate it, but I've been up and down I-95 many times too  . If you read my post you'll see I already have most of my alternate trip planned. It's that area through Virginia after I get off the interstate that I'm looking for suggestions on. Sometimes those roads on the map look better than in real life so I was hoping someone in that area that is familiar with the roads could make some suggesions. |
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AB
Premium
join:2006-04-04
Leesburg, VA
| You could get off at Lexington and take 60 over to 29, 29 to Danville. Beyond Danville, you're on your own.
29 is a four-lane highway (2 in either direction) most of the time, speed limit 55 or 60. There are lights and you do go through towns, however. |
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sdgthy
@optonline.net
| reply to ImaDuffer264
From just a quick look, take I81 to I77 to 55 to I40 and throw in anything interesting. Might also look at the loops around NC the cities, but most the interstates through those are 4, 5 or 6 lanes each way.
I haven't done 55, but I've done I81-I77 to Charlotte many times. Also going across I40 to Charlotte, although not through Raleigh as that would have been when I was heading out from New port News and used I85. |
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05241201
Where is Rob A?
Premium
join:2006-03-23
Eagle River, AK |  reply to ImaDuffer264
looks like the trip of a lifetime!
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»www.againsttheshutdown.com |
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ImaDuffer264
join:2003-11-05
Mercer, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·Armstrong Zoom In..
| reply to AB
said by AB  :You could get off at Lexington and take 60 over to 29, 29 to Danville. Beyond Danville, you're on your own. 29 is a four-lane highway (2 in either direction) most of the time, speed limit 55 or 60. There are lights and you do go through towns, however. Thank-you AB that it pretty much what I was planning. From Danville it looks like 86 south to I-40. The other option would be to take 501 from Lynchburg all the way to Durham then work my way into Raleigh.
The only reason I'm asking for some guidance is because 2 years ago we took I95 to Richmond then I64 to Charlottsville and spent the night. The next day we visited Monticello in the morning then headed out taking route 250 over the mountains until we eventually reached I79. It was beautiful country but that trip across 250 was the longest trip of my life. I have never seen so many hairpin twists and turns on one road in my entire life   !! |
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MikBo
Just Happy To Be Here
Premium
join:2002-01-04
Lynchburg, VA
| reply to ImaDuffer264
Hey Duffer,take 81s to 64e then take 29s exit at Charlottesville to Lynchburg.Follow 29s the rest of the way to Danville,Va.then 86 and 40 like you planned.I have grand kids in Apex NC,I make the trip down 29,etc at least once a month.Take the 29 bypass around Danville,there is a great rest stop just before you get to the exit for 86.Not a bad drive,from my house in Lynchburg to Apex,NC ,2and1/2 hours,138 miles.
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"Things will get better,despite our efforts to improve them!"--Will Rogers |
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ImaDuffer264
join:2003-11-05
Mercer, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·Armstrong Zoom In..
| Wow, great thanks MikBo. You know the area much better than I do of course but is it really better to take 64 to Charlottsville rather that 81 south to say Lexington and take 60 to Lynchburg?
Either way I'll make sure I wave and honk the horn when I go through your hometown . |
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MikBo
Just Happy To Be Here
Premium
join:2002-01-04
Lynchburg, VA
| Actually it is pretty much personal choice,either 60 or 64,64 will be all interstate to 29 but a little farther to travel,60 will be shorter route but slower,time wise they will work out the same,60 will have some curves,more scenery,2 lane road,like I said depends on what you prefer,either way is fine,enjoy! Mike.
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"Things will get better,despite our efforts to improve them!"--Will Rogers |
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