Route 81 drivers: Can you tell me the scoop?

[HeatherC]

Hi There:

Think we have decided to drive the 81 route instead of 95 since we are leaving Friday morning (2am) on July 2nd from Massachusetts. Want to avoid the Balt/DC area on July 4th weekend.

Have never driven 81 to 77 before and wondering if there are any tolls or anything (other than the truck traffic) that we need to be aware of? Good places to stop for breaks or places to avoid?

Any help/suggestions is greatly appreciated.

 

[Robert P]

If you take the route we usually go (95-Tappanzee around NYC-287-78-81/84-81-77-26-95-4), you would have $1 in tolls at the NJ/PA state line. That was from our trip last Summer. Going back north, the PA toll is gone, but you pay at the Tappanzee bridge, I think it was $5.

Aside from the stretch coming across 78 in PA/NJ to get to 81/84, we have no issues with the drive. Getting off the highway on that stretch seems to yield mixed results, in that it isn't the easiest on/off section we've encountered. Once you hit MD heading South, note that VA has closed some of it's rest areas (budget reasons), but we do not find that to be a problem. Traffic wise below VA is fine, except for the Charlotte, NC area. Outside of business rush hours, it usually is not a problem.

The 81 route (the 'inland' route) avoids much of the problematic major city traffic that's on I-95. The trade off is, as you know, that it has a higher percentage of big truck traffic.

Feel free to PM me if you need more detailed info on the route.

 

[HeatherC]

Thanks so much Robert P!! I agree with you on the 78 stretch to 81. I remember driving that years ago to visit friends in college in MD. It had to be the most boring stretch of road. Not sure what it's like now.

But I am glad they extended 287. (I grew up right in Ringwood,NJ) and remember what big deal that was when it was going in. It's definitely cut off a lot of time.

Appreciate your input!

 

[parmtoo]

Thanks so much Robert P!! I agree with you on the 78 stretch to 81. I remember driving that years ago to visit friends in college in MD. It had to be the most boring stretch of road. Not sure what it's like now.

But I am glad they extended 287. (I grew up right in Ringwood,NJ) and remember what big deal that was when it was going in. It's definitely cut off a lot of time.

Appreciate your input!

I grew up in Montville NJ. Thats where 287 ended for most of my life. It's still strange when we visit to see it keep going instead of just cutting off in Montville....

 

[izzy]

Good news! Most, if not all, rest areas have been reopened in Virginia! Other than the trucks - which can be a real pain - I-81 through Virginia is fine.

 

[shafke]

Thanks so much Robert P!! I agree with you on the 78 stretch to 81. I remember driving that years ago to visit friends in college in MD. It had to be the most boring stretch of road. Not sure what it's like now.

But I am glad they extended 287. (I grew up right in Ringwood,NJ) and remember what big deal that was when it was going in. It's definitely cut off a lot of time.

Appreciate your input!

The I78 through PA is no different now thait has been for as long as I can remember. We used to travel regularly on I78 to I81 to go to Hersey. It is still the same 2 lane (each direction) highway that it always has been. BTW the most boring stretch of road you will hit is I95 between Jacksonville and Daytona. Straight as an arrow and the only scenery is the shopping centers at the exits. For me I78 does not compare.