Driving to Disney 84-81-77-26 question?

[baileybelle]

We're driving to Disney on October 16-17. We're driving straight thru. We planned on doing this route 84-81-77-26-95 until I checked the Nascar schedule and saw there is a race scheduled at Lowe Speedway in charlotte NC on Oct. 16th. Should we avoid 77 because of the race and do 84-81-66-17-95 or 84-81-64-288-95? we will probably hit that area on 77 at about midnight. Any suggestions? :thewave:

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Originally posted by baileybelle
We're driving to Disney on October 16-17. We're driving straight thru. We planned on doing this route 84-81-77-26-95 until I checked the Nascar schedule and saw there is a race scheduled at Lowe Speedway in charlotte NC on Oct. 16th. Should we avoid 77 because of the race and do 84-81-66-17-95 or 84-81-64-288-95? we will probably hit that area on 77 at about midnight. Any suggestions? :thewave:

Only that taking I-64 to Route 288 around Richmond to I-95 is not possible right now. Parts of Route 288 are still under construction and not open.

Here are two websites with information on Route 288 -- the private company doing the section from Powhatan County to I-64, and VDOT is doing the section from there down to Route 76/Powhite Parkway.

288 hopefully will be open around Labor Day, so it should be open by your trip, barring any major weather related delays. Keep an eye on these sites for any delays, and I'll definitely post on here when it opens.

 

[Robert P]

I would check the time for the race, to determine the traffic flow.
At midnight, you should get to exits 16-13 no problem, exit 13 being where 85 and 77 intersect. (Most of your traffic problems with a race stem from coming South on 77, then getting over to the speedway, usually on 85 N.)
Going South from exit 13, you may have some traffic problems, but it should thin out quickly once you get into SC a few miles.

Another (maybe off the wall) suggestion, if you are interested, would be to hit 52 South once in NC, then at Winston-Salem go 40 East to 95. Probably adds an extra hour, maybe 1:15, to the trip, but takes out the risk of any race traffic nightmares in Charlotte.

I like your idea of cutting over to 95 in VA the best, if you are concerned about the race traffic.

Robert P

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Here's an update on Route 288 around Richmond.

This article was in today's Richmond Times Dispatch.

Another segment of Route 288 will be open in late August and the entire project should be completed sometime this fall.

Of course, the project is way behind schedule and they aren't committing to a date.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Just wanted to update again for those who may be considering this as an alternate to get from I-81 to I-95.

The other week they had a ceremony at the bridge for Route 288 dedicating the highway to Virginia's WWII veterans. Unfortunately it's been a wet summer, which I'm sure has slowed work on the road. I haven't heard of any delays for opening the stretch from I-64 to US 60 in "late August", but that doesn't mean delays won't happen. They'll probably open that stretch or announce a delay on August 31.

The rest of the highway, from US 60 connecting with the currently open portion of Route 288 at the Powhite Parkway, is still slated to open this fall, but I haven't heard of any specific date. When it does open, I'll let y'all know.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I posted too soon.

I heard on the radio this morning that the segment from I-64 to US 60 will be opening tomorrow afternoon.

That still leaves the segment from US 60 to the Powhite Parkway unfinished, but they're still saying that should be completed "later this fall."

 

[drewc]

What has led you to choose the 81 route vs. 95?

Are there any particular areas of the 95 route that caused you concern?

I ask because we are driving in December, and are considering the route you mentioned, but so far I haven't seen a really compelling reason to choose it over 95 yet (i.e. time savings).

We used the 95 route last year, and the only delays we encountered (other than some rush hour slow downs in Jersey which we'd plan around in the future) were in Florida, GA and SC, which we wouldn't avoid using the alternate route.

Sorry to respond to a question with a question, but I thought you might have some insight into this.

 

[baileybelle]

I've spoken to a lot of people who travel the 84-81-77-26 route or 84-81-66-17 route because it is less stressful with a heck of a lot less traffic and a whole lot more scenery. We will be traveling from Maine in mid October and a lot of "snowbirds" from my area swear by either route. We have at least a 21-23 hour trip ahead of us(depending on the length of our stops) and the less stress I have to deal with the better.

The routes mentioned above add about 100 miles to the journey, but take you no longer than 95 because you don't have to deal with NY, NJ, Baltimore and DC traffic tie-ups.

I hope this may have answered your question. I guess everyone has their own opinions on which route is best ,but I believe this will be the best route for us.

Have a great trip in December DrewC. 95 would probably be best to travel in December because of the constant threat of snow in the mountains along 81 and 77.

Thanks so much Obi-Wan Pinobi for keeping me updated on 288. I'm still keeping the 81-64-288-95 route in mind, but I think it will be my 3rd choice.

:thewave:

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Sorry I haven't posted an update on the construction status of Route 288 around Richmond, VA.

Unfortunately, at this time, the road is still unfinished between US 60 and the Powhite Parkway, so it's not possible to use it as a detour around the southwest portion of Richmond. Bad weather, including 14 inches of rain from Gaston, have made work conditions difficult and slow. I drive by there on occasion and it looks very close to being ready; I would expect it to be open by the end of the year.