Syracuse to WDW-best/quickest driving?

[Weluvdisny]

Our trip is coming up and I was looking to get some help.

Last time we went 81-66-17-95 per AAA triptik. 17 seemed rather long.

Should we go 81-77-26-95? Or 81-64-95?

I'm leaning toward 81-77-26-95 because I thought it might be less traffic than 95.

Any suggestions or ideas would be great! You guys are the best!!

 

[hobogary]

I prefer 81 17 95 (don't go down to 66, pick up 17 in Winchester VA). I've done 81 77 26 95 and its ok, not as much traffic, many more hills, and you have to go thru Charlotte, pretty much a toss up, but if 17 seems long,81 will seem much longer.

 

[padisneylover]

At this time of the year I would definetly stick to your 81-17-95 plan. There is a lot less chance for winter driving problems. Going the other way you can expect to hit icy roads a lot farther down where usaully cutting over on 17 you can usually expect to loose it just below Richmond. You might want to look at going down 81 to 64 (I think it is) which cuts accross and intersects with 95 just a few miles above Richmond. We have found it faster in that you don't have as much local traffic and it cuts out that area above Fredicksburg (sp) which I hate. Just be aware if you take that route (64) there is few good stops accross there and you don't want to have to stop till you get over to 95. Also, the last several trips we have taken 95 straight through Richmond and have had no problems and it seems to cut out a little of the time vs I95 around Richmond. Have a safe good trip which ever way you choose.

 

[Weluvdisny]

padisneylover,

Is it icy roads because it's through the mountains? I thought there would be less chance of accidents and slow moving traffic on 81. That's why I turn to you guys, the experts. Thanks for the info and support.

It's a long trip down and with 4 teenage boys in the car, I'm trying to make it as quick as possible.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I-81 has a LOT of truck traffic through the mountains. Winter conditions may slow the traffic somewhat but not by a huge amount.

If you do 81-64-95, I'd recommend taking Route 288, which forms a west-to-south bypass loop around Richmond. It's exit 175 on I-64 and intersects with I-95 at exit 62 about midway between Richmond and Petersburg.

There is some traffic during rush hour on 288 but not as bad as the traffic through downtown where I-95 and I-64 meet.

I've never been on the stretch of US 17 that many recommend so I don't know how traffic is on it. Looking at a map, it's not a limited-access highway like the interstates or Route 288.