[JMEZARIC3]

I will be heading to TV next week. My planned route is 81-77-26-95-10 301. My main concern is the construction on 77 in NC.
If I leave very early on Sunday, I take the beltway around Washington,DC.
Has anyone recently made the trip to or from Harrisburg?
Thank you.

[Dan9871]

When we moved to The Villages we traveled from southern PA to Lorton, VA and took the auto train to Sanford FL which is about an hour from The Villages. Much less effort than driving down.

Amtrak

[REDCART]

...

[village dreamer]

take rt 81 all the way to Knoxville tenn. then rt 40 to rt 75 .

[SannyTX]

Originally Posted by Dan9871

When we moved to The Villages we traveled from southern PA to Lorton, VA and took the auto train to Sanford FL which is about an hour from The Villages. Much less effort than driving down.

Amtrak

Second vote for the Amtrak AutoTrain!

[Uberschaf]

I would take 81-77-26-95-10-75. It's a little further but you don't have to hassle with the stop and go. It's all go-go-go on 75.

[villagetinker]

Be aware of the many speed limit changes on route 301, in the past it was notorious for speed traps. It has been several years since I drove from PA to the villages, so any info i have would be out of date, but when I did, I went from Allentown to Harrisburg, then 15 to 270 (Frederick), then 495 to 95. This avoided, the whole Philadelphia to DC route.
Hope this helps.

[REDCART]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Be aware of the many speed limit changes on route 301, in the past it was notorious for speed traps. It has been several years since I drove from PA to the villages, so any info i have would be out of date, but when I did, I went from Allentown to Harrisburg, then 15 to 270 (Frederick), then 495 to 95. This avoided, the whole Philadelphia to DC route.
Hope this helps.

We do this trip several times a year. Yes, the speed limit changes several times on 301 but it’s only an inconvenience for a few minutes. We’ve also tried 75 to 10 but it adds 45 minutes to the trip. We don’t think it’s worth the additional time just to avoid the speed traps in Waldo, Starke and Lawtey. Just be aware that the speed limits are enforced and you’ll do fine.

[JoMar]

Or go to the Harrisburg airport and take a direct flight to Sanford FL, then rent a car and drive to TV. My wife does that 4 times a year since we have family in Lancaster County. Flights are limited.

[Mimivillager]

We come from Gettysburg and take the back roads around DC and then 95

[tophcfa]

We take 81 to 66 to 17 and hit 95 in Fredricksburg, VA then take 95 all the way to the 295 east loop around Jacksonville back to 95. Then just before St. Augustine we cut across toward Palaka until we hit the road that goes through the Ocala State forest (rt 19) until we get to Altoona then cut across west on rt 42 and come out right near the historic district.

[elevatorman]

If you are going 15 to 270 and around the DC beltway then down 95. 270 gets heavy on weekdays at 6:00 AM or earlier. The beltway across the Cabin John Bridge is about the same. Once on 95 most of the traffic is headed into DC. Through the Richmond area there is morning traffic. Then there are small tie-ups around cities along 95. I hate 95 and prefer the 81 77 26 route, I find it more relaxing.

[Rga20]

We've done both and depending on traffic, the times really aren't that different. 81 is much more scenic and with the exception of truck traffic around Roanoke, a pretty easy drive. If you go through DC on the weekends, that's pretty simple too. In either case, there may be random construction or even worse, an accident to deal with. Once I commit to one or the other, I use google maps on my phone and it does a great job at rerouting me around major tie ups. Safe travels...we come from Carlisle.

[jimnc]

Take 81 south out of Harrisburg. At Winchester VA take 17 south. Follow it until you reach Fredericksburg VA. Take 95 south. Bypass Richmond on I-295. When you get into Florida take 10 west to 301 south. Into The Villages. Traffic on 95 is bad but it's bad everywhere.

[Biker Dog]

Originally Posted by jimnc

Take 81 south out of Harrisburg. At Winchester VA take 17 south. Follow it until you reach Fredericksburg VA. Take 95 south. Bypass Richmond on I-295. When you get into Florida take 10 west to 301 south. Into The Villages. Traffic on 95 is bad but it's bad everywhere.