A driving question to folks in Pennsylvania and West Virginia (**update #19**)

[Dan Murphy]

We are leaving in several days for a trip to Washington DC, a family wedding plus a week vacationing there. We are driving.

We are driving from Chicago to Akron, OH, stopping one night. Then driving rest of the way to DC the next day.

Question I have is regarding route suggestion. Using mapping, Google, Bing and GPS, the route suggested is using Rts 76 and 70, coming through PA, and coming to DC from the northwest. The mom whose DD is getting married, suggested Rt 79 in OH, to Rts 68 and 70, going more through West Virginia, coming from the west. Reason given was "you avoid going through the super winding curves of mountainous Pennsylvania".

Any thoughts from those who know?

Thoughts?

 

[DrCavin]

Option #1 is my choice, I dont recall it being that "mountainous"

 

[ckay87]

I've lived in PA all my life, but first drove that stretch of 76 only 2 years ago. Anyway, I was surprised at how windy and mountainous it was. I don't know why it surprised me. It wasn't horribly slow, but it was definitely slower than a flat, straight interstate might be.

I don't know how you'd avoid mountainous driving on that trip, though. I don't know the WV route, but you have to cross those mountains somehow, don't you? WV isn't exactly flat.

It is pretty, if that helps.

 

[Hoodie]

My in-laws live in Akron (and we're in DC) so we make the trip ALL the time.

We've tried several routes but always go back to 76 and 70 through PA. We found the WV route more mountainous. 76 isn't pleasant, but we almost burned our brakes out going through WV. Also, it adds a good hour to the trip.

(btw - 79 isn't in Ohio)

 

[FireDancer]

I live near Cleveland and have made the trip to DC and the area many times (the last being in March). I always go with the I-76 to Breezewood then I-70 route. You will have some winding and ascending/descending but it isn't terrible. I never felt unsafe even when driving at night or in the rain. I-77 through WV is much worse then I-76 through PA. I am not sure about I-68. I-70 south isn't all that winding at all in comparison.

Also, I-79 isn't in Ohio so you will probably be taking 76 to 79.

Make sure you are staying in a decent part of Akron. There are some terrible neighborhoods down there that rival the worst of what we have up here in Cleveland. I'm not talking Fallujah or anything but a lot of people are under the impression Akron is a smaller city so they have no bad areas.

 

[wdwmom2]

Option #1 is the least mountainous. Easy drive really. We take this route when we go to Pittsburg. Option #2 is scenic. Love going this way to Deep Creek Lake. You do go through mountains, they are not terribly steep grades, just longgggg.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for your thoughts. And if any more, much appreciated.

In any case, option #1, and I suppose #2 also, is/are both tollway/expressway/turnpike type driving, even though hilly, mountainous. Neither appear to be like driving 'a mountain road'.

And yes, I can see now 79 is in PA. Hard to see the state boundaries. Yes, 76 to 79.

Hotel is Sheraton Cuyahoga .

 

[FireDancer]

Thanks for your thoughts. And if any more, much appreciated.

In any case, option #1, and I suppose #2 also, is/are both tollway/expressway/turnpike type driving, even though hilly, mountainous. Neither appear to be like driving 'a mountain road'.

And yes, I can see now 79 is in PA. Hard to see the state boundaries. Yes, 76 to 79.

Just an FYI in regards to the tolls. If you have the Illinois E-Zpass unit (I-pass) it will work in both OH and PA on the turnpikes. The car we drove to DC in March had the I-Pass unit in it.

 

[MushyMushy]

I live in SW PA, right in the corner. We have used both routes extensively when we visit the in-laws or go to VA or MD and we far prefer to go the second route. The PA turnpike (76) is monotonous and boring, not to mention a bad road. Going on 79, 68 and 70 is scenic and actually saves some time. I don't really think it's all that much more mountainous than the other route, but it could be that we're just used to them.

If it makes any difference, the speed limit is 65 and 55 in some spots through PA and it's 70 most of the way in WV.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We used to take both routes when we lived in Canton to DC. I prefer the 79/68/70 route over 76/70. There is much less traffic (especially trucks), the roads are designed better, and it doesn't cost anything. Travel time was maybe a few minutes longer taking 68, but the lower stress level made up for it.

As for a room, the Sheraton Cuyahoga Falls is fine, but somewhat off the route you are taking. Any particular reason for staying there?

I am a graduate of the Uniersity of Akron and spent 6 years living and working there. The chain hotel locations are if safe areas, just stay away from the lower branded or unbranded ones. If they advertise an hourly rate, don't take you kids there.

 

[PlutoPony]

Going from the DC area to Ohio, I normally drive 68 through western MD/ WV then go north on 79 to 70 east. Nice drive, very good roads that go up and down more than curving around. Many of the steeper grades have a 3rd truck lane which is a huge plus imo. Traffic moves well, and there isn't the truck traffic that you see on 76/70.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Now it is getting interesting, LOL. Some in each route camp.

As for Akron, it is within a very short driving distance of about where I would be for the first stopover. It seems to be about 10 miles from the Ohio Toll. And I want to stay at a Sheraton. And no, no hourly rate hotels for us.

 

[wdwmom2]

Now it is getting interesting, LOL. Some in each route camp.

Tee hee, nothing like a bunch of Diser's to confuse you!

Route 1 - not as hilly, more tractor trailer traffic, not as scenic.

Route 2 - more hilly, less traffic all together, scenic, and from what I remember, road is in better condition (think smoother).

Either way will get you where you want to go!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

With the input from here, and a few others, I think we will do the 68 in WV. Hope it is not a mistake.

You are too funny, Sharon.

 

[wvjules]

Woohooo for the 68/70 option! That's my route! There are some beautiful scenes along from Morgantown, WV though Western MD. Sidling Hill is interesting to look at.

Whatever you do, don't plan on doing the drive on a Sunday evening. All of the DC people return from Deep Creek lake and traffic is a mess (especially the section where 68 turns into 70). 70E on any Sunday evening is a bad drive.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I am in NJ now and relocating to the Pittsburgh area. My husband works in Morgantown WV and Southpointe PA...he moved out there first and was living in Morgantown. When I drove to Morgantown from NJ, I traveled through PA, then MD and then onto WV...not sure if those are the road you would be taking, but I would consider those to be more wind-y than 76.

I have been going back and forth now to the Pittsburgh area and travel on Route 76 and yes it does wind through the mountains but there are signs that give fair warning and I have never felt unsafe.

I guess long story short, I would take 76.

PS: I just checked the route I took to WV and it was Route 68 that was a bit nerve wracking to me.

Have a great trip!

 

[MushyMushy]

With the input from here, and a few others, I think we will do the 68 in WV. Hope it is not a mistake.

You are too funny, Sharon.

If you make it through Morgantown WV around lunchtime, let me know and maybe we can do lunch!

 

[bunny]

Definitely take 68 through WV. It is a little longer distance wise but the road is better (alot less construction) and you can drive faster. There are also no tolls. Construction on the PA turnpike is horrible.

 

[Dan Murphy]

After all the questions from me, the help from you guys...all new plans.

We had a super storm with very high winds roll through Chicago area Friday afternoon. Knocked our poser out, along with about 1/2 million others in the area. So our plans to head out driving early Saturday went out the window.

We were without power for 2 days, coming back on late this afternoon. We had almost an exact same storm 3 years ago, almost 5 days without.

Wanting to be in DC for scheduled Tuesday AM White House tour, we are now flying out tomorrow early evening. So I made a good number of calls and online changes, adding, canceling, modifying.

Our DC and area plans, Annapolis, Mount Vernon, etc, are just about all intact, with only the places we intended to visit tomorrow, Monday, gone by the wayside. We will tack one additional day on the end, needed for airline schedule, giving us a bit more time in Annapolis. Flying into National, flying back from BWI.

Again, thanks everyone, for your help here on these questions, and the other thread I had about DC and area.

 

[Planogirl]

I heard about the storm Dan. I'm glad that you still get to go.

Have fun and give Judi a big hug.