Driving from NEPA. Stay on I81 or cross to I95

[LovePug]

Has anyone done both these routes and can give me any info on which is faster/better? Normally, I stay on 81 until 17 (in VA) and cross to 95. Someone just mentioned about staying on 81 all the way down to 77 to 26 to 95. They look about the same distance, but one of the posters stated that they saved and hour or two staying on 81-77-26-95. Does anyone know what the current road construction situation is on either of these routes. It seems as if 81, up here in the north, is always under construction. That's probably my biggest concern.

 

[zdad]

Personally, I'd take 81-77-26-95. I don't know the subtlties of the southern part of the route, but Chambersburg, PA is your only ? from Scranton to Tennessee. It's a beautiful ride down the Blue Ridge, and certainly more peaceful than the I-95 route.

 

[LovePug]

Thanks, Zdad!

 

[hobogary]

I've done both ways, 81 77 26 is much more hilly, more slow trucks, and not nearly as busy. Only big city to get thru is Chartlotte, and that is bad at rush hour, as it's right thru the city. Also fewer places to stop for gas and eats. Milage is almost the same, not sure about current construction.

 

[LovePug]

I've done both ways, 81 77 26 is much more hilly, more slow trucks, and not nearly as busy. Only big city to get thru is Chartlotte, and that is bad at rush hour, as it's right thru the city. Also fewer places to stop for gas and eats. Milage is almost the same, not sure about current construction.

I like the "not nearly as busy" part, but not too crazy about the "fewer places to stop" part. We stop a lot! Hmmm....maybe I shouldn't mess with success and stay with 95.

 

[marksommerville]

Has anyone done both these routes and can give me any info on which is faster/better? Normally, I stay on 81 until 17 (in VA) and cross to 95. Someone just mentioned about staying on 81 all the way down to 77 to 26 to 95. They look about the same distance, but one of the posters stated that they saved and hour or two staying on 81-77-26-95. Does anyone know what the current road construction situation is on either of these routes. It seems as if 81, up here in the north, is always under construction. That's probably my biggest concern.

Depending on when you are traveling, I would use 81 to 15 South to 270 then thru DC to 95.

We did this in March and I was in Brunswick, GA in 12 hours.

We live just North of Harrisburg, so this would be possibility.

If you need any further info, let me know.

 

[papopup]

The last time we drove was in 2003 and we towed the camper down and stayed at FW. We took 81-77-26-95 and will definately go that route again. I can't stand being on 95 north of Richmond but enjoyed the entire drive on 81-77-26-95 except for the terrible rain storms we got in. We drove down on a Saturday and can't say that traffic ever got bad until we got to Jacksonville.

marksommerville, we're from just north of Harrisburg also, small world.

 

[marksommerville]

The last time we drove was in 2003 and we towed the camper down and stayed at FW. We took 81-77-26-95 and will definately go that route again. I can't stand being on 95 north of Richmond but enjoyed the entire drive on 81-77-26-95 except for the terrible rain storms we got in. We drove down on a Saturday and can't say that traffic ever got bad until we got to Jacksonville.

marksommerville, we're from just north of Harrisburg also, small world.

Awesome, where r you from?

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Has anyone done both these routes and can give me any info on which is faster/better? Normally, I stay on 81 until 17 (in VA) and cross to 95. Someone just mentioned about staying on 81 all the way down to 77 to 26 to 95. They look about the same distance, but one of the posters stated that they saved and hour or two staying on 81-77-26-95. Does anyone know what the current road construction situation is on either of these routes. It seems as if 81, up here in the north, is always under construction. That's probably my biggest concern.

Personally , I prefer the 81 77 26 95 route. Have you been to the I-95 website and checked the construction warnings for the year? If not its a great place to pick up info and tips.