- We are finally leaving 2am Friday for our trip from Mass. to Hilton Head and plan on taking the 81/77 route through PA and VA.
Wondering if anyone knows what the speed limit is on 81 or 77? Also...are there a lot of speed traps we should look out for?
Thanks so much!
Unless they have changed it recently, the top speed along 81 in Virginia is 65 mph. There was recent talk about raising sections of 81 to 70 mph (which would be good), but I don't know where that stands at the moment. Also, as you probably know, our friends in Virginia do not permit radar detectors.
In NC, the max speed is 70 mph. Several sections it is 65. Going through Statesville, NC, I believe it drops to 55 for 2 miles. SC, along 77, 70 mph max, with some 65 sections, and the tricky speed area listed below (see #2).
While I have seen various officers all along the way, the most consistent areas that I watch out for are:
1 - Along the rolling hills, between 81/77 interchange and the NC/VA line. (They can really hide well along that section).
2 - Right below the NC/SC line (Rock Hill, SC), along 77. Speed changes and lots of hiding spots. Becoming known as a targeted enforcement area.
3 - As I-26 East nears the I-95 interchange, those last 10 miles (approximately miles 45-54), once you start onto I-26. Highway patrol sits in the wooded median, and used 'instant on' radar, which means no detector help until you are right on top of them.
Those are the biggies.