Need Advice-Driving From Erie PA 77/79 Tomorrow?!

[Disney Fanatic]

Hi

We are driving from Hamiilton, Ontario Canada either tomorrow or Saturday to Disney.

We would prefer to take 77/79 because it is a bit shorter rather than the I75

Can anyone in the various areas of this drive down advise on the weather conditons???

We are a bit nervous of the mountains and wonder also if there is any advice on where to check for weather/driving reports.

Thank You so much

 

[keishashadow]

The area does run thru the mts & tends to get banked down in fog; use common sense & you'll be okay.

As for major traffic spots to watch:

1) West of Pittsburgh where I-79 merges with the Parkway; aggressive drivers merge recklessly.

2) Again, near Washington PA; where I-79 merges with I-70; more traffic issues.

Assume you'll be taking the "shortcut" onto 19 near Sutton, WV, outside Charleston? (You should, saves a nice bit of time!). Only problem is it's a MAJOR speedtrap near Beckley/New River Gorge area. (fyi, the huge bridge you pass is closed to traffic once each year & people bungee jump off it )...anyway, once you cross the bridge & go into the small town is where the police sit for a few miles until you pick up I-77.

3) The area around Charlotte gets heavy @ rush hour.

We prefer this route over the I-95 corrider for road conditions, traffic.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Kies99]

The area does run thru the mts & tends to get banked down in fog; use common sense & you'll be okay.

As for major traffic spots to watch:

1) West of Pittsburgh where I-79 merges with the Parkway; aggressive drivers merge recklessly.

2) Again, near Washington PA; where I-79 merges with I-70; more traffic issues.

Assume you'll be taking the "shortcut" onto 19 near Sutton, WV, outside Charleston? (You should, saves a nice bit of time!). Only problem is it's a MAJOR speedtrap near Beckley/New River Gorge area. (fyi, the huge bridge you pass is closed to traffic once each year & people bungee jump off it )...anyway, once you cross the bridge & go into the small town is where the police sit for a few miles until you pick up I-77.

3) The area around Charlotte gets heavy @ rush hour.

We prefer this route over the I-95 corrider for road conditions, traffic.

Enjoy your trip!

I agree with the above (I'm also in Pittsburgh[Bethel Park]). On a side note, I was down 19 two weeks ago and there were no police to be seen. Even in that one spot where they ALWAYS sit in the median they weren't there. Was kind of weird (if you drive 19, you know what I mean).

 

[lisaviolet]

Hi

We are driving from Hamiilton, Ontario Canada either tomorrow or Saturday to Disney.

We would prefer to take 77/79 because it is a bit shorter rather than the I75

Can anyone in the various areas of this drive down advise on the weather conditons???

We are a bit nervous of the mountains and wonder also if there is any advice on where to check for weather/driving reports.

Thank You so much

I don't know from your post if you've ever taken it before. But my goodness, it's such a gorgeous drive that sometimes I sit and daydream about it. So beautiful. To me it's like it speaks to the soul. I know dramatic but it's how that drive touches me.

Just keep to the limit on the 19 and you will be fine as far as tickets. They always have someone else to nab in this case!!!!

We've driven it in March before and had no major issues. Fog can sometimes be a problem near the descent into North Carolina. But weather conditions can change anywhere.

Oh this is killing me. Nothing better than those views. So lovely.

Go onto weather.com and push interstate forecast. It shows conditions on the 79/77 and breaks it down place by place. And as a previous poster stated avoid Charlotte at rush hour. But you could be missing that altogether if you leave early and drive for long stints. I like the Lake Norman area just north of Charlotte to stop. Also like Beckley or Princeton, WV. Columbia, SC (Two Notch road exit) has a lot of options as well. We've also stopped in Savannah/Pooler, GA to enjoy Savannah's lively river walk at night. There are some lovely rest stops along the 79/77. Nothing like feeling the temperature change in March and peeling the clothes off at rest stops until you are in summer clothes and sandals.

I'm so envious. Have a wonderful time,

Lisa

 

[keishashadow]

I agree with the above (I'm also in Pittsburgh[Bethel Park]). On a side note, I was down 19 two weeks ago and there were no police to be seen. Even in that one spot where they ALWAYS sit in the median they weren't there. Was kind of weird (if you drive 19, you know what I mean).

they were probably off @ that breakfast place that sits on the left side heading south (always packed; must be good!); course my son, the cop, would never do such a thing.