We are thinking of driving to OKW in late Jan. Wondering whether anyone has travelled by way of Cleveland instead of the conventional route through Virginia, WV, NC, SC, GA. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I have not attempted this, but my mapping software shows that the Cleveland route adds only 35 miles and 8 minutes. Looks like you would merge back into the "other" route at Beckly WV.
It might make for a nice change in scenery, although I-79 in PA and I-77 in OH aren't that different. Certainly any amount of construction on one would probably be enough to sway me to the opposite route.
We live an hour south of Cleveland and this is the way we traveled. As the PP stated, you will get dumped back onto the other route in WV and still be traveling through the mountains, unless you take back roads all the way.