I 81 Rest Stops

[Nagle]

We are driving down to Orlando next month and we are looking for some route help. We are leaving Brockville Ontario about 4:30 PM and driving straight through. We are planning on the I81, I77, I26, I95 route. We figure we will be on I81 all night. We are looking for suggestions as to where to stop for gas in the middle of the night along I81. Looking for someplace near the interstate, open 24 hours obviously, preferably with some sort of food service. Easy to get off & back on the Interstate would be helpful.

Thanks
John

 

[Suzyq9241]

You would be better off getting onto I-95 as early as posible because I myself do not like 81...

I like I-95 because they have hotels, easy on and off, and personally I think that is safer.

 

[grimley1968]

I81, just like about all the US interstates, will have all the major gas/dining/lodging chains up and down the length of it. You won't have any problems. However, I have to agree with the previous poster: try to get on I95 as soon as possible, but try to do it south of Washington, DC, or drive it during non-rush hours. I81 is quite mountainous in parts of it, while I95 tends to hug the flat coastal areas, which will probably give you better fuel economy on such a long trip.

 

[MulanMom]

We've stopped before in the Staunton, VA area which has quite a few gas stations, restaurants, and hotels. Then Roanoke, VA is another major area. Personally, I like the route you are taking though it may take a bit longer for us than going on I-95 most of the way. The stretch of I26 to 95 seemed a bit desolate at night, but it didn't worry us. We try to stop every few hours or so and in more populated areas, (or busier rest areas) and have done fine.

 

[Nagle]

Hi folks
Thanks for the replies. We used to cut across to I95 from I81 by using I66, but the last few trips this way found I95 getting busier & busier. We tried I81 to 77 last time and really perferred that route, (also shocked to find it a little faster) so we will be going that way again. Because we are not accustomed to this route, I was hoping to get the exact locations (cities, mile markers) for gas/bathroom/coffee breaks in the middle of the night. I don't want to be searching for a safe/convenient place to stop at 2 in the morning. If I knew some exact locations, it would just make the night driving a little easier. I do recall that there was a big, well lit, rather new place just before we switched to I77 last time and will be keeping an eye out around Staunton & Roanoke.

Cheers
John

 

[deadhedjen]

Hi!
I live close to I-81 in PA. My exit is 170 Wilkes-Barre/ Bear Creek. Go the next exit past and there is a really nice Arena exit with a 24hour Super-WalMart and just down a bit from that a 24 hour Sheetz for cheap gas and eats....there is also a Sam's Club gas station where you can fill up using a Wal Mart gift card. There are also tons of really nice food options (sit down and fast foods) off that exit. I don't think that anyone could miss the exit...you can see many of the stores...Target, Lowe's, Old Navy, etc from the interstate.

Its all bright and very well lit. Nice area.
From the sounds of it though, I think you will be passing through my area earlier in the evening rather than middle of the night.

Wave "hi" when you're driving past, lol!

Have fun!
Jennifer.

 

[MulanMom]

If you can get your hands on a AAA guide book for each of the states you'll be traveling in, you can get an idea of the number of restaurants and hotels in a given area or around a particular exit. Mine aren't handy, or I'd provide you with the info for Staunton and for the following....

on I-77, soon after coming down off the big mountain, we made a stop at a well-advertised (via billboard) McDonald's. It turned out to be a great stop for quick eats and gas. The kids enjoyed the indoor playground. The place was clean and the staff was very friendly. Maybe someone else will know the location and be more specific.

 

[bicker]

We've stopped before in the Staunton, VA area which has quite a few gas stations, restaurants, and hotels. Then Roanoke, VA is another major area.

In-between is Harrisonburg, VA, another area with lots of gas stations, restaurants and hotels. It's where we always stayed when we drove from New York to Knoxville.