Travel Route Advice I-81 in Virginia

[BuzzLiteyear]

As luck would have it, the weather for our trip down is taking a turn for the worse. We are heading to WDW on Friday from Western New York. I usually travel I-79 down to WV and then I-77, but I don't think I want to drive through WV in the upcoming storm.

I was thinking of taking I-81 through Virginia. How's the driving through that area? I've never been on I-81 that far south. Thanks for any help.

 

[TEKHooked]

I-81 is very mountainous. It is mostly 2 lanes and there is alot of truck traffic, but IMO, it is not bad, and the scenery is very pretty. I just drove up from Florida to Pennsylvania last weekend using that road.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

I-81 is very mountainous. It is mostly 2 lanes and there is alot of truck traffic, but IMO, it is not bad, and the scenery is very pretty. I just drove up from Florida to Pennsylvania last weekend using that road.

Thank you! Do you happen to know if they get a lot of snow long that route?

 

[rwdavis2]

I-81 can get very busy and if there is an accident it comes to a standstill for miles. Our DD goes to school in Blacksburg so we're familiar with the route.

Also take into account it's Friday before Christmas and you may hit traffic just for that reason.

For the best weather I-95 may be the best way although getting around DC has its own issues depending on the time of day.

 

[GranddadTom]

Just some general advice on driving through the mid-Atlantic states in the winter - Get to the coast and low country as quick as you can. Especially when the boundary between snow and rain is anywhere near you (read that to mean ice!). But as Va Tech dad said - Washington traffic can be bad. Where are you leaving from and at what time of day?

 

[rwdavis2]

Just some general advice on driving through the mid-Atlantic states in the winter - Get to the coast and low country as quick as you can. Especially when the boundary between snow and rain is anywhere near you (read that to mean ice!). But as Va Tech dad said - Washington traffic can be bad. Where are you leaving from and at what time of day?

I second the idea of getting to the coast. Even in the Baltimore/DC area a few miles can be the difference between rain/ice/snow. That's one of the reasons I would avoid I-81.

You just need to hit the DC area between 9am and out by 3pm at the latest. If you are coming from western NY then you will probably go through Breezewood, PA which can bottle neck as well when getting of the turnpike and I-70 East.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Just some general advice on driving through the mid-Atlantic states in the winter - Get to the coast and low country as quick as you can. Especially when the boundary between snow and rain is anywhere near you (read that to mean ice!). But as Va Tech dad said - Washington traffic can be bad. Where are you leaving from and at what time of day?

I'd be leaving around 2pm on Friday and would be going through DC overnight if I scooted to the east. Thank you both for the advice.