From here to NH
 

Driving from TV to NH in May. First trip in car. What is best route? And any thoughts on where to stay during trip? Will be staying over two nights on trip. Thanks for any help.

We came down from Massachusetts through the Shenandoah Valley Rt 81 which was quite pleasant. No traffic or big cities to go through. We stayed at Quality Inns because they were pet friendly.

We used to drive up to NH via I-95, last time we took I-81. We will NEVER take I-95 again.

As I recall, we went north on I-95 to South Carolina, cut west on I-26, than North on I-81. Off on I-84 to the MassPike and all that.

Ever so much nicer than 95, Jersey Turnpike, GW bridge, etc. If there's no traffic on either of the routes, the I-81 is about 2 hours longer but when was th.e last time you saw no traffic on 95?

and if you use 301 to get to I-10, make sure you drive the EXACT speed limits in the towns of Lawtey and Starke. Seriously...exact speed limit or a tad less.


Great mountain views on the I-81 route too, beautiful farms in Pennsylvania, check out the huge wind farms and the little gas fracking installations.

And they're building a huge plant to convert natural gas into diesel and jet fuel somewhere in Louisiania. They figger that the cost at the pump for diesel will be about 2 bucks a gallon (less taxes). We've got so much natural gas in this country that we'll be exporting it to Japan in a couple of years. But I digress.

I drive from VT to east TN once or twice a year and always go I-84 to I-81 because it is SO much easier than the "white knuckle" driving encountered on I-95. That's obviously the straighter route, but will take years off your life!!

bump

We have been making the FL to MA trip for years and also use Rt 81 instead of 95. Memory says using 81 is about 100 miles longer than 95, but for us it feels more comfortable.

Not sure where we stay will help as it does not sound like our time on road matches your plans. We break the trip up into two days, the first is about 13.5 hours and the second is about 9.5 hours.

Going north we have found a nice Comfort Inn located in Harrisonburg, VA. Clean and accepts dogs.

Good luck, be safe.

We're also thinking about I-81 as an alternative route to I-95 to New York. It would eliminate Richmond, DC, Baltimore, and the NJ Tpke--all of which can grind to a standstill at peak times. Is I-26 the best connection point from 95 in N. Carolina? Does anyone know if there's any construction on 81, or something to avoid? We understand there are 30 miles of construction delays on the lower part of the NJ Tpke. The AAA web site has an interactive map which allows you to alter the route with your mouse, and immediately recomputes the mileage to your destination.

:welcome:

Another alternative is to take I-64 from 81 which connects to I-95 just below Richmond.

Try Google Maps
 

With Google Maps, you can drag (modify) your route (right mouse click on existing route) to see changes in mileage and driving times. You can also add extra destinations to see what mileages and driving times would be for en-route stops.

Much more flexible than AAA IMHO.

Am I missing something or has somebody found a way to get there without going from I-81 to I-77 then to I-26 which takes you to I-95. We drive down from Maine a couple of times a year and this is the most peaceful route but I didn't see any mention of I-77.

According to AAA Mapping, you're absolutely correct. We omitted a critical step in this discussion. Going North from TV, exit I-95 at 86B onto I-26 W towards COLUMBIA, and drive 52.3 miles. Then exit 116 to I-77 N towards CHARLOTTE and drive 227.4 miles on I-77 before exiting to I-81 N.

Like sheep, we've been using I-95 back and forth to NY for 35 years but it's time to try another less-traveled route. This appears to be shorter than staying on I-95 to Richmond and then taking I-64 W to I-81.

US Route 29
 

Google Maps listed another route for the TV to MA trek. Has anyone driven Route 29 as alternate to 81? From the map, it looks like a shorter way, but I wonder about the road quality, etc.

We have been travelling to TV from CT many many times, more times than I want to count, and usually take I 95. We have travelled 81/77/26 at times when we stopped in the Charlotte area to visit with friends. It's all in the timing of hitting or missing traffic in the NYC, Baltimore and DC areas. They can get clogged up if you hit them at the commuter times. Most of our commutes are during the weekends when there is less traffic on the roads.

Many times we come to TV during the winter months and I would always stay on I-95 because of a lesser chance of snow sleet or ice that may be on the roads versus the higher altitudes of 81/77. Friends of ours left for a vacation in another part of Florida 2 years ago. We took I 95 and had some light snow along the route and they took 81/77 and were in a blizzard that left them stranded in a motel and added an extra day to their travel.

I 95 can be a crazier and more stressful drive, but we are New Englanders, and tend to drive a little more aggresively (NYC survival skills) so it feels more "normal" to us :) My wife did make a comment that she felt safer driving on I 95 than some of the bonehead driving we experienced here in TV with golf carts and cars :) Just check the weather if driving in the winter and using I 81/77/26 for potential snow and alter your commute to TV.

I agree that the drive is more relaxing going I 81/77/26 and the views are more spectacular than the "South of the Border" billboards :) Although in all fareness, my favorite South of the Border sign is "You Never Sausage A Place" Always smile when I see it :)

I don't like I81. Two lanes and too many trucks. The mileage and time difference between I95 and I81 is insignificant to TV. I make my decision on which route at the last minute with the weather being the deciding factor. Spring/Summer too. As in thunder storm activity. Hate those 70mph car washes.

There's no shortage of gas stations and food along 95 day or night. If 81 is less traveled, are there fewer places to stop for food\fuel particularly at night? I agree weather conditions should be the ultimate deciding factor. 81 from NY north can be socked in with fog in the fall. 95 also has its share of fog in SC and Ga particularly in the mornings. Since we plan to drive straight thru to NY this trip, we might save 81 for another trip when we can stay in a motel if we have to.