Driving time from Binghamton to Roanoke, VA?

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I'm guessing it would take 10-12 hours to drive from Binghamton, NY to Roanoke, VA on Route 81. Anyone who's familiar with this route, am I correct? Even close? Thanks!

 

[BonnieA]

I used to drive from Owego to Blacksburg, VA (about 45 min south of Roanoke). This was about 15 years ago and it would take me 11 1/2 hours. I would think it would take you between 10-11 hours. Be careful on 81 with all the truck traffic.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Thank you. I drive Route 81 to Syracuse all the time and don't mind the trucks, but I've heard this warning a few times now. Does the truck traffic get heavier to the south?

 

[BonnieA]

I think it does get heavier in PA. It is especially noticed around Harrisburg because of road construction there. And in PA the turnpike and other interstates cross 81 and trucks are more plentiful coming from these other major roads.

 

[waughzee]

I have never driven to WDW from the area, but I am from Greene and wanted to say Hi!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Hi back! I graduated from Sherburne-Earlville, and cheered several Basketball games in Greene.

BonnieA, thanks again. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[frazzled one]

81 can indeed be a wild ride through PA because of the truck traffic, especially through Wilkes-Barre, Hershey/Harrisburg, Carlisle, and the southernmost 30 miles or so - I don't know where they all go after that, but the trucks always seem to lighten up at that point! Have a great trip.

fraz

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Do whatever you can do to avoid DC!!! We drove down last year and oh my!!! Even at 11 pm the traffic was nuts!! BTW, really just wanted to say hi cuz I'm from Binghamton, too!!!! But I can't remember how long it took us to get to Roanoke, mostly cuz my brain only fits so much stuff and I'd rather have my WDW trip memories clogging my brain than other junk!!!

 

[Lswilmot@aol.com]

Another Binghamtonian here. When do you go? We go in December, so we're flying this time.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Actually, I'm not sure when I'll be going. My ex-husband just accepted a promotion that relocates him to Gainesville, so I'm anticipating that we'll be making a lot of trips to Florida. While there are a lot of logistical issues to settle regarding visitation, I'm certainly not upset at the thought of having a "reason" to go to Florida often! Hehe, I see AP's in our future...

We'll fly as much as is economically feasible, but I'm sure at least one trip per year will be by car. Since we live right on Route 81 - and I want to avoid DC traffic like the plague - it seems like the better route to take. BTW, I must confess I chose Binghamton as a starting point, but I'm actually a little north of there, in Cortland. It's great to see so many Central/Southern Tier NY'ers here!

 

[Disneyolic]

As far as the truck traffic goes, Rte 81 is a major route for them. There are multiple terminals in Syracuse. Even trucks coming from Buffalo and Rochester use 81 South. I know there is a major Yellow Freight Systems terminal in Lancaster, PA, so I'm sure you'll see many orange rigs.

However, we have traveled through PA on Rte 81 and have never had any truck traffic problems.

 

[Bichon Barb]

Hello fellow CNYer's. I also suggest avoiding DC. We drove to Richmond on business in the spring and to Williamsburg last year. Although going through DC may be less miles, it's definitely more stressful (and possibly more stop and go)! Not worth it in my opinion. What is the alternate route? 17? Through Fredericksburg?

 

[Prince Eric1]

We drive to the Doswell area where Kings Dominion is every couple of years. It takes us about 7 1/2-8 hours to drive staight with just a gas stop and drive through breakfast. It takes us about 1 and 1/2 hours to 1 3/4 hours to get to Binghamton, so Binghamton to the Doswell area would be about 6 1/2 hours, to you could add on the time to Roanoke from there if you have a rough estimate. Also, we leave at about 3:30-4am to avoid the heavy traffic so that we are half way or more through PA before rush hour and before construction starts. This may be a pain but it saves a lot of time. We then use the beltways (695 and I think 495) around Washington to avoid that mess. The way back always takes us about two hours more because we stop for dinner and get caught in the construction/ rush hour snarls.

 

[hobogary]

Hi All , Got a nice upstate New York thread going here.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Hi Cortland!! Just graduated from SUNY Cortland in May! Lots of mileage on my minivan from Bingo to Cortland 3x a week for 3 years! Although I dislike the college very much, Cortland itself is a beautiful, friendly town. Do u live anywhere near the college? Binghamton is not such the small town anymore..we are getting alot of "stuff" from NYC (sorry, NYC folks who I'm sure most are wonderful, wonderful people!! But it seems every other name in the "blotter" section of our paper are arrests of people from NYC on some sort of drug charge). But its still has a little better "small town" feel than Buffalo, where I'm originally from.....GO BILLS !!!!

 

[Disneyolic]

Crazy4mandms My sister-in-law goes to Cortland right now (in her 3rd yr) for Education. We just visited her new apartment with her boyfriend on Main Street. It's alright down there.

My husband and I lived up in Niagara Falls back in 1998. Go Bills...they rocked today.

It is pretty cool seeing so many people from our area.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I've been in Cortland for a little more than 2 years - I agree that the people are very friendly, and honest too. Everyone I've met here (Cortland, Dryden, Freeville, all over) has been quick to offer help or advice. I currently live on the south side, but am looking at houses all over the city. The great thing about the city is that it's small enough to feel homey, but also has just about anything I need - or is a short drive to Ithaca or Syracuse.

Hi, Norwich! Did I mention I'm an S-E Alumna too? Small world, huh?!