December drive from NE to NC...

[goofy4tink]

We're driving down to NC for Christmas, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to take since it will be late Dec (21-30). We leave central Mass early Sat morning. I believe my dd's are surprising me with a stop at Hershey Park for the night. Then finish the drive on Sunday. We end up at northern Lake Lure. If I take 287-78-81-77-40 will weather be an issue? Or am I better off just taking 95 all the way and taking 95-85-40. I plan to wait and see what the weather prediction is going to be, but figured I would check here as well, getting advice from the well traveled folks. Thanks guys.

 

[artesian]

So if you're leaving from hershey you could take 15-270 to get back on 95. Personally the weather difference should be negligible. It's 540 mile going the 81 route verse 590. I'd stick to the shorter route unless it looks bad going that way. Just wing it when leaving Hershey and decide then

 

[rwdavis2]

For that drive google maps is excellent for keeping you on the quickest route as long as there are no accidents near where you happen to be.

 

[Christine]

I live in Virginia and often have to choose the I95 or I81 route myself. Honestly I81 has less traffic jams, but when it does, it blows. Too many big tractor trailers and only 2 lanes in each direction. We got stuck often taking my son back and forth to college. But as far as weather, you pretty good through Virginia at least at that time of year. Occasionally, before January, the "west" part of Virginia can get a small snow event that can make I81 a mess. That happens most often after January 1st though--but it could happen. I95 areas of Virginia seem to be less likely to have weather event than the western side. I'm sure I didn't help you!

 

[rwdavis2]

I-81 can be a mess if there are too many trucks. Got stuck many times from Blacksburg back to the DC area.

 

[OKW Lover]

Its really hard to say at this point Diane. Weather could be an issue on either route. The route through the mountains has the advantage of lower congestion, but higher chance of snow. The 95 route has so many congested areas to deal with that any bad weather will just stop everything. I'd stick with the more in-land route for planning purposes but leave yourself some flexibility to go the other route.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, you guys are just feeling the same as I am. For all the same reasons. Guess I'll just wait for the weather reports and go from there. Being from NE, a little snow doesn't bother me.

 

[shocker]

Well, that was fun, NE is definitely Nebraska

 

[Christine]

Well, you guys are just feeling the same as I am. For all the same reasons. Guess I'll just wait for the weather reports and go from there. Being from NE, a little snow doesn't bother me.

The bolded may be the case, but there's a ton of folks on that route who cannot drive in the most minor amounts of snow and you will be amongst them.

I will say that my preferred route when I go south to NC/SC/Florida is to get right on 95. I've done it a number of times, but I'm leaving much farther south than you (I live in VA, just south of DC) and I generally always have a wonderful trip and I can't think of a time I've been stuck. But I leave at like 4AM and get out of the DC/Richmond area long before traffic starts.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, that was fun, NE is definitely Nebraska

Sorry, I tend to forget that not everyone sees NE and thinks New England!! My bad.

The bolded may be the case, but there's a ton of folks on that route who cannot drive in the most minor amounts of snow and you will be amongst them.

I will say that my preferred route when I go south to NC/SC/Florida is to get right on 95. I've done it a number of times, but I'm leaving much farther south than you (I live in VA, just south of DC) and I generally always have a wonderful trip and I can't think of a time I've been stuck. But I leave at like 4AM and get out of the DC/Richmond area long before traffic starts.

Yep, that's my issue. I'm pretty sure my girls are surprising me with a stop in Hershey that Sat night, or something else. So, it's going to be tough to know exactly which route is going to be best!!! Thanks for your insights!

 

[matheke]

Last year there were blizzard like conditions in the mountains along I-77 and I-81 through that area when we were supposed to drive home. We changed our route back to Ohio using I-75. It was a mess in the mountains and glad we changed our route. As with anything just keep up to date with the reports when it is closer to travel time.

 

[debster812]

Di--when my parents drive to FL for the winter, they leave from SE Mass, and take 95 down (early January) and come back in the spring through the PA mountains, into NY and across 84. Weather is less of an issue in April/May than the winter.

They do try to time their drives so they can avoid as much of NYC and DC rush hour, but it doesn't always work out......

 

[goofy4tink]

Last year there were blizzard like conditions in the mountains along I-77 and I-81 through that area when we were supposed to drive home. We changed our route back to Ohio using I-75. It was a mess in the mountains and glad we changed our route. As with anything just keep up to date with the reports when it is closer to travel time.

Di--when my parents drive to FL for the winter, they leave from SE Mass, and take 95 down (early January) and come back in the spring through the PA mountains, into NY and across 84. Weather is less of an issue in April/May than the winter.

They do try to time their drives so they can avoid as much of NYC and DC rush hour, but it doesn't always work out......

Yep, it’s that weather in the mountains! I’ll just keep an eye on the weather. Thanks all.

 

[OKW Lover]

I see from your FB page that you made it. What route did you wind up taking and how did it go?