For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

[Suzanne033]

We are driving down from Chicago leaving around 5 am (hubby wants to leave at 4 am)

Debating between 65 through Indiana/ Louisville, a familiar route for us, or head down through Illinois on 57/24.

I fear if we leave at 5 am, we hit Indy around 830 and traffic would suck around the beltway...

Also is it realistic to think we can make it to Valdosta by 7 or 8pm or should we plan on stopping around Tifton?

Thanks!

We drove to Huntsville, ALA last year in May. We took 94 to 65 and hit Indy about 7:30am on a Friday morning. It was no problem at all we cruised right through.

 

[BC1836]

Regular gas prices on our WDW-to-home drive last weekend varied from $3.69 at WDW Hess to $3.79 at FL exit #298.

All the best.

 

[kidd_freeper]

I-81 through Virginia is a popular way for those in the Northeast to get to WDW. The following WILL affect your drive:
= = =

Proceed with caution I-81 section headed for more than 2 years of road work


One of the most challenging stretches of Interstate 81 in Southwest Virginia is about to get even more precarious.

Crews have begun widening the Christiansburg Mountain pass from two to three lanes in the southbound direction.

Highway officials are committed to keeping traffic moving safely during the massive digging and blasting project but have found it necessary to close long sections of the right shoulder over a 5-mile stretch. Both lanes are expected to stay open for most of the construction, scheduled to last two and a half years.

The section of highway brings 23,000 southbound motorists a day over hills and around curves. Driving alongside concrete barricades that separate work crews from traffic will add to the challenge.

Barriers have already reduced the right shoulder to little more than the width needed for rumble strips. The left shoulder is already that narrow.

Although several turnouts are planned, drivers will have less room for error.

"It's going to be a nightmare," said Buck Blevins, an instructor at New River Valley Driving School in Christiansburg.

"If somebody breaks down or there's a wreck, it's going to shut the whole highway down," he said.

Plus, the driving experience will change, he said.

Some motorists are going to get the closed-in feeling that comes from having a short wall a few feet away, fraying nerves.

Unlike in Rockbridge County, where the speed limit has been cut to 55 mph because of a similar project, this stretch of I-81 will remain posted at 65 mph.

Officials will revisit the limit if needed, said Heidi Underwood, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transportation.

"Safety of the traveling public and the safety of the teams on the job is a very high priority," Underwood said.

This is a safety project, in fact, and one of the outcomes will be massive shoulders.

(Read more at http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/282956)

 

[patclairesmom]

We've always discussed taking the "scenic" route. Guess that discussion is closed for the next 2 years and we'll take 95 straight down.

 

[Disneyholic]

I-81 through Virginia is a popular way for those in the Northeast to get to WDW. The following WILL affect your drive:= = =
Proceed with caution I-81 section headed for more than 2 years of road work
One of the most challenging stretches of Interstate 81 in Southwest Virginia is about to get even more precarious.
Crews have begun widening the Christiansburg Mountain pass from two to three lanes in the southbound direction.
Highway officials are committed to keeping traffic moving safely during the massive digging and blasting project but have found it necessary to close long sections of the right shoulder over a 5-mile stretch. Both lanes are expected to stay open for most of the construction, scheduled to last two and a half years.

Some motorists are going to get the closed-in feeling that comes from having a short wall a few feet away, fraying nerves.

So you are saying southbound only for now?

I know that I get claustraphobic with those low, close walls.

We are driving down in May by way of Rt 22w to 78 to 81 to 83 to 695 around Baltimore to 95 to 495 around DC to 95 and the rest of the way straight through on 95. We miss the toll on 476 and the bridge and tunnel tolls at DE & Maryland this way.

We are thinking about stopping in Georgia on the way back to go to the Gold & Gem Mine. If we go there we will be coming north on 81 on the way home.

TIA

 

[kidd_freeper]

We've always discussed taking the "scenic" route. Guess that discussion is closed for the next 2 years for us.

Consider taking Route 29 through Waynesboro-Lynchburg-Danville-Greensboro instead.

We drove north on Route 29 last year and liked it. Pretty road. Mostly 2-lanes in both directions, the road was in good shape, very few lights, almost no trucks, and uncongested. Speed limit was mostly 55 mph, but the distance is shorter than taking I-81.

I was planning to take I-81 to I-77, etc, but this construction might make me take Route 29 instead

 

[dvczerfs]

great post!!ill be hitting that area on a sat. morning at around 4am so im going to take my chances.i live near a cement mill and they blast everyday and when they do, they close the surounding roads. keep us posted!

 

[happily single]

Thanks for the Route 82 construction update. The constuction, coupled with the predicted rain on Saturday is making me think that Route 95 from RI is the best bet. Unless someone else has another route?

 

[TomD]

Ooh, have you gone to the Bird in Hand Bake Shop or do you just go into the main street area? We love the Bake Shop - they have great stuff in different sizes, a great selection of canned items, even some nice basic gifts and outdoor stuff.

I don't understand your schedule though. Are you going to Philly, then Lancaster, then DC? FYI - we love Jim's Steaks at 4th and South St. Geno's is fine, though.

Philly and DC on the way down and Lancaster PA on the way back. Always have to hit hte bake shop. We go down to Lancaster a few times a year. I like going to the Green Dragon on Fridays Stock up and head home.

Aww Geno's know it well and if you want some good Italian subs to take along the way try Sarcone's Deli at 736 S 9th St they are great. A large sub there can feed 4 people

We will have to give it a try. I'll et you know how we like it

 

[sharadoc]

Aww Geno's know it well and if you want some good Italian subs to take along the way try Sarcone's Deli at 736 S 9th St they are great. A large sub there can feed 4 people

One of the Sarcone sons moved up here and runs a deli with the same bread! Only place you can get it around here. Delish.

 

[pamkev]

One of the Sarcone sons moved up here and runs a deli with the same bread! Only place you can get it around here. Delish.

Lucky you

 

[WDWisTheBest]

We've always discussed taking the "scenic" route. Guess that discussion is closed for the next 2 years and we'll take 95 straight down.

The construction covers less than 10 miles, doesn't it?

 

[kidd_freeper]

Thanks for the Route 82 construction update. The constuction, coupled with the predicted rain on Saturday is making me think that Route 95 from RI is the best bet. Unless someone else has another route?

See my post 1926 or take the detours suggested in the map. Seems like if you get off at exit 132 and take Route 11, rather than exit 128 (as the map suggests), you'll make better time. Route 11 looks like a good road.

I'll be travelling on July 4 weekend, so I'm concerned about the volume of traffic that might try to bypass the construction

 

[BC1836]

Regular gas prices to WDW:

9/30/07: $2.82 in VA; $2.67 in SC

4/2/11: $3.58 in VA; $3.59 in SC


All the best.

 

[sharadoc]

Regular gas prices to WDW:

9/30/07: $2.82 in VA; $2.67 in SC

4/2/11: $3.58 in VA; $3.59 in SC


All the best.

January 2009 - $1.89 in NC

We are probably cancelling our November trip because of the cost of gas for the June plus November trips. At $4.00 a gallon, one round trip will cost right around $500, about $200-$250 more than in the past. We always prided ourselves on $500-$600 a year for gas, now we'll be using that all on one trip

 

[Guzzi]

Kidd, thanks for the info We will be driving to WDW for the first time and heading down 81 to avoid DC / Balt. on 95 The map with the detors is great

 

[Guzzi]

I just created a trip tic on AAA's website and it doesnt show the road work that is described above. (A) I believed Kidd about the work. (b) I read the newspaper article on the link in the post. So why isnt this on the trip tick. I asked it to show construction?

Anyone else have this issue with AAA on line?

 

[nytimez]

I just created a trip tic on AAA's website and it doesnt show the road work that is described above. (A) I believed Kidd about the work. (b) I read the newspaper article on the link in the post. So why isnt this on the trip tick. I asked it to show construction?

Anyone else have this issue with AAA on line?

Don't know -- but it could be because there will be no lane closures, if I read it correctly. Maybe they're anticipating that the loss of the shoulder won't have an impact on traffic?

Either that, or AAA is rapidly becoming a 20th century relic and they're simply badly out of date and unable to keep up.

 

[Grendalynn]

Well we've been on the road a few hours now and have had smooth sailing so far. Jet getting into Hartford and heading for Vince Lombardi to fuel up... ETA: 12pm tomorrow... or hopefully sooner. I better go get a nap in - I have the graveyard shift tonight. eu

 

[BC1836]

Well we've been on the road a few hours now and have had smooth sailing so far. Jet getting into Hartford and heading for Vince Lombardi to fuel up... ETA: 12pm tomorrow... or hopefully sooner. I better go get a nap in - I have the graveyard shift tonight. eu

Have a safe drive!

All the best from folks who made the drive last week (the final half of it).