81 to 77 new route for us

[NicsMom1500]

We are driving down to Disney in December. We drove in January via 81 to 64 to 17 to 95 from Harrisburg PA.

We've decided to try 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 on our way down.

On our trip down, I've booked us at Fairfield Inn Hillsville VA. We'll be leaving mid afternoon on our first day of driving. 2nd day will be to Brunswick Georgia where we have a free night at an Embassy Suites (got that for writing a complaint letter about check in during our last trip). Then on to Orlando, the next morning.

And we'll return our usual route b/c I have a free night in Fayetteville NC with my Starwood points. We'll only break the drive in to 2 days on the way home.

My question:
for those who have traveled the 81 to 77 route, was it an efficient route to take? I've run trip planners and it seems to be only slightly longer, mileage-wise.

Thanks for any tips or experiences that you can share!

 

[BigDave]

Hi:

This is the wife of BigDave. At the end of September I drove with my sister to Tampa. We took 81 to 77. I cannot tell you about 26 to 95 because we went 20 to 75. It was more miles and a lot of truck traffic on 81 (esp PA), but we liked it. There were plenty of stopping points along the way. The last time I drove 64/17/95 was on a return from Myrtle beach. We think 95 is just too heavily travelled.

Hope this helps.

Barb

 

[Kurry]

Although I've never drove to FL, I live just a few minutes away from Hillsville, VA. I would be more than happy to give any information to you about the area if you would need it. You picked a great location for a hotel because it is right off the Interstate. There is also a McD's, Wendy's, Shoneys, and Countryside restaurant nearby. If you head my way towards Galax, you will find an even better selection.

Email me at Kelly_Hamm@hotmail.com if you have any questions, etc.
I love welcoming tourists to our little communities.

 

[RustManFan]

I have never driven to Florida but I take 81 to 77 all the time! I'm a huge NASCAR fan and I head down to the Charlotte/Mooresville area from NJ this way. (just a few weeks ago, in fact)

There can be a lot of traffic on 77 and a lot of road construction but it usually doesn't hold up the flow very much. It was busier when I went down at end of March than it was in October so maybe some of the construction is wrapping up......

 

[The Duchess]

We just returned from taking this route to FL from MA. Ironically, we stayed in Harrisburg, PA on our way home!
This route worked out fine for us. There was some construction, but none that delayed us for any significant amount of time.
Also, we saw a lot of great foliage.
We had originally re-routed offf I95 to avoid the Beltway/DC area, and decided to continue down 81 to 77 to 26 over to 95 and stay in Savannah, GA one night.
There seemed to be less truck traffic on 81 than there was two years ago at this time.
We also discovered that Cfracker Barrel restaurants are great!

 

[Bob NC]

Originally posted by NicsMom1500
I've run trip planners and it seems to be only slightly longer, mileage-wise.

Thanks for any tips or experiences that you can share!

It IS slightly longer mileage-wise. However, it is faster time-wise. You will have a much lesser chance of running into congestion, Charlotte being your only opportunity for heavy traffic.

The scenery is much nicer and we find that route to be more enjoyable.

 

[msdis]

We drove that exact route in May and it was so stess free. We will be driving it again on our next trip. The worst city you will see your whole trip will be Jacksonville, Fl. The mileage difference for us was 100 miles longer but that was over the course of 1550 miles worth vs. I-95 the whole route. Well worth it.

 

[NicsMom1500]

Thanks to everyone for your route 81 to 77 experiences. I feel much better about going that way to Florida now.

Our first night will be mostly in the dark but I'm looking forward to a change of scenery!

I'll be sure to share our experiences when we return.

Is there any web sites devoted to route 81 as there are for I-95? I'm wondering about good exits to stop for a bite to eat, etc. Are there rest areas along the way? We don't stop too many times but our almost 3 year old does require some mini-stops!

Thanks.

 

[Wiggle]

I don't know about a website, but the state of Virginia has installed a traffic info system you can call on your cellphone. The phone number is 511, and you go through menus to get info on construction, accidents, weather, etc. You key in the highway you are on. It's pretty cool. I've used it quite a few times. (It always says there are construction delays at Harrisonburg, but many times there aren't really. But there IS a lot of construction there.)

Lynne

 

[msdis]

Aside from the fact there is less traffic, less big cities to contend with, and less lanes most of the time, you would think you were on i-95. There are lots of rest stops, lots of detailed signs that tell you what is at each exit and there are lots of amenities close by the exits. I was really concered when we took that route that we would be on far inferior roads way out in no man's land stranded if we needed help. Not at all the case. If you are a AAA member you can get "tour books" for free. There are ones for each state and they have datailing for each city too within each book. They detail places to stay, dine, and things to see along with smaller maps of certain areas. They even have a toll free # exclusive for members and they act as travel agents in finding you a discounted room without you going thru the hassels.

 

[RocklandRVers]

I was also torn by which way to go: I-95 all the way or I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95.

I have never driven to Florida. I have however, driven as far as NC on I-95 to visit my sister many times and hated every minute until I got past Richmond. I have also driven down I-81 as far as Staunton Va and agree with many of the posters that it is a much more scenic route...the Shenendoah Valley is so pretty.

From all I have read here it seems better to drive another 100 miles or so rather than waste hours on end on the I-95 parking lots that develop between NY and DC.