Please help choose better route

[oret]

We're driving down to Orlando from Montreal in a couple of days and are considering these 2 routes:

I-81 South to 66 in Virginia to the I-95 (which is what our Triptik gave us)
or
I-81 South to I-77 to 26 to 95.
I've been told the second choice is a beautiful one and more relaxed.
But my concern is ongoing road construction. Have any of you driven the 77 in this area lately? Anyone with preference of one route over the other? And why.
I need to make up my mind as I need to make some overnight reservations. Thanks for your help.

 

[Robert P]

IMHO:
The 81-77-26-95 route will be more scenic, but seems to have more commercial traffic (as in large trucks). The major city traffic you would have to worry about would be Charlotte, NC.

Your I-95 cut-over appears to take you through Richmond, VA.

My decision would be based on when you will be leaving -
If the @ 130 miles from 81 to 95 down to Richmond, VA puts you in a rush hour, I would continue down 81-77, assuming the @ 350 miles to Charlotte did not leave you in the same shape.
Conversely, if 350 more miles puts you near Charlotte, NC between 4 and 7 p.m. on a weekday, I would go ahead and cut over on 66 and head down 95.

I have just today posted updated roadwork info on 81 down to the NC line on 77.

Either way you go, buy fuel in VA if possible. It is cheaper.
And have a safe trip.

 

[oret]

Thank you Robert P.-this definitely helps as does your report on construction on 77. I'm going to print them out.
You've been a big help.