Advice needed for taking 84/81/77/95 Boston to Fl

[PelletierBears]

Hi everyone!

We've driven to Florida from Boston several times over the years but always on 95. This year we're taking 84/81/77/95 and would love to know more about the route and how it compares to 95. Is it mountainous, etc.

One concern we have is weather. We're leaving very early morning Jan 1st so plan on monitoring the weather reports in case of heavy snow fall in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Has anyone traveled this route in the winter? Anything we should be aware of?

I've been studying the route on AAA maps and see it goes thru a lot of state parks. Is it very scenic or just a lot of trees?


Any info or advice is appreciated!
Thanks
Lisa

 

[DVC-Don]

I've done 87 - 84- 81 - 77 - 26 - 95 and it's a nice ride. The Shenandoah Valley in Virginia is beautiful.

 

[PelletierBears]

Thanks DVC-Don. We're looking forward to seeing some new sites!

 

[DVC-Don]

Lots of wineries to tour in Virginia.

 

[Robert P]

Difference in routes:
Inland is longer, hillier, hits less cities, has less overall traffic (though some say more big trucks), and virtually no tolls.

Once you clear VA, and hit NC on 77, the best of the scenic ride is behind you, and so should be the winter weather worries. Snow/ice down here is rare in the winter, and you would know about it well before you leave on your trip.

Traffic wise, only Charlotte, NC would be the major city problem South of WV, and that's typically only around the rush hours (7:30-9:30 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.) on weekdays.

 

[GranddadTom]

I drive between Charlotte and Washington, DC a lot  at least once a month. I-81 is an alternative to I-95 but the situation on I-95 has to be very dire to get me to take I-81, especially in the wintertime. I grew up in Worcester so I know what driving in snow is like. But its not snow thats the concern  its freezing rain. And Virginia and North Carolina has a lot of freezing rain. Add to that the fact that one-third of the traffic on I-81 consists of semis. Plus its very hilly and, in many places, only two lanes wide. That means that the semis can be in the left hand lane. They go down the hills at 80 and back up the other side at 55  often with one going 56 passing another one going 55. A few years ago Va DOT announced that 1-81 in the most dangerous road in the state. Talk about a white-knuckle drive. My advise  in the wintertime stick near the coast at take I-95. Because I-85 goes through the mountains, its always a few degrees cooler there than it is to the east. And when thats the difference between 34 and 30, it make a big difference.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Just do a Google search for i81 dangerous.