US 15 into Virginia

[Uncleromulus]

THis isn't a Disney related matter but if the mods will permit?

I HATE I-81 and the last time we went to Virginia (Lury Caverns) I took US 15(out of Gettysburg) all the way down. Wasn't a bad route at all. My question is--how is US 15 farther down to where it meets US 64 near Charlottesville?
If it's "doable" we might use it on our trips to Charlottesville and even Williamsburg, so we can then avoid the whole DC/I-95 nightmare.

Any recommendations or comments about this idea???

 

[PlutoPony]

It's decent 4 lane from just past I-66 down to Culpepper VA, then turns to OK 2 lane until right before I-64. Last time we drove it was on a Saturday last fall and traffic was light and moved fine. Most of the 2 lane puts you pretty much in the middle of nowhere and is a little rolling but certainly drivable. My guess is it wouldn't take any longer than going over to I-81 since that way adds miles to the trip.

If you're going to Charlottesville, just stay on Route 29 all the way down, don't go over to 15. 29 is 4 lane all the way into Charlottesville. North side of town is getting pretty developed and every time we go down there are a couple new stop lights out there but other than that you're fine. Probably 1 1/2 hours from I-66 to Charlottesville on 29.

Route 29 has the reputation of being a magnet for speeding tickets so you might want to keep an eye out for that.... 29 and 15 run together from I-66 down to Culpepper.

Only other thing to consider is traffic on I-64 and 29 in Charlottesville if there's something going on at UVa like football game, dorm move- in, etc.

 

[Uncleromulus]

THanks! This is what I wanted to hear. 15 is an easy access for me from where I live whereas geting to I-81 takes awhile-and in the wrong direction.

 

[PlutoPony]

IMO Route 15 from Leesburg VA to I-66 can be a real pain anymore. There's some real rush hour traffic on that route and more and more trucks so if you can time it to avoid that it would be good. Not sure what the new roundabout at 15 and 50 does for traffic flow, maybe it helps. But the good news is they did finish making a couple miles of 15 into 4 lane just north of I-66 and that's a help.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We'd be leaving the Gettysburg area just after the morning rush here, so I don't think we'd even be involved in the PM rush down there--maybe lunch hour!!
Where does 15 intersect w/ 64? Is it East or West of Charlottesville itself??

 

[PlutoPony]

Route 15 hits I-64 east of Charlottesville

Route 29 comes into the north central side of town and you're driving southwest at that point. You actually intersect 64 on the western edge of town.