Has anyone taken both I77/79 and I75 routes? Which is better?

[Skywalker]

Hi everyone!

The last two years we've driven down to Florida we have taken I-75, but this year someone suggested to us that we take I77/79. I have never done this way. What states does it pass through? Is is a longer or shorter route than I-75? Any info or enlightenment anyone could provide would be really helpful and really appreciated.

We are travelling in early October so hopefully weather won't be a factor?

Thanks!

 

[hockey mom]

We have done both. The 77/79 route is very scenic. It is also a wee bit shorter. You will pass through Georgia, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, W. Virginia, Pennsylvania, just to name a few.

 

[cabmom]

We prefer the drive down 77/79. It is very pretty!

We went down 77/79 and came back on 175. I just find it so long coming back from MI taking the I75.


Marilynn

 

[Skywalker]

Thank you hockey mom and cabmom! Sounds like maybe it will be worth it to make the change and try a new way.

Thanks!

 

[talicskai]

If you are driving in winter ~ watch out for the snow in the mountains of West Virginia ~ it is horrendous!

The drive is much prettier however.

Teresa

 

[Janice B]

I77/I79 we have never driven down to florida that way, we have always taken the I75. Can someone answer a few questions for me. Do you typically drive through the night or stop. We have always driven through the night and was wondering if going down the I77/I79 had a lot of rest stops along the way. Also what are the roads like driving at night. Someone told is its not easy driving through the night due to fog in the mountains, is this true or only at certain times of the year. We are going back down again end of August 2006. How often do restaurants come up along the way. I know going down the I75, you can hit a restaurant every hour or so.

 

[lisaviolet]

Done both. I love love love 77/79. One time we started home on the 75 for a change and backtracked to get to the 77 because I missed it so much. It's so beautiful.

We have travelled it in March and in August. I love road trips.

Fog....yes at times in August...have encountered it in VA and WV in the mountains. It's a crapshoot.

Lots of rest stops. Choice of restaurants is good. I really don't believe you could ever drive more than an hour to the next place to eat. Nah....

It's just so beautiful. I know I sound like a nutcase but it almost brings tears to my eyes thinking of it.

We usually stop in Summersville or Beckley (off WV road 19...cut through to 77...don't speed in this area..they are out there) or Princeton, VW first night and Savannah/Pooler, GA for a second night. But obviously a lot of people only do one stop. The mountains can be a bit too relaxing at night for no stops in my opinion!!!!!!

Lake Norman, NC just outside of Charlotte is a nice stop too. But you have to work around rush hour.

Enjoy the drive.