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Old 06-30-2011, 06:02 AM   #1
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Looking for the best route to i-81

Trying to plan my route for August to Maine, Looking at the map by taking I-95 north to Fredericksburg, VA, I see there appears to be a good route
15/29 from I-95 to I-66W to I-81N.

My question is this a good route to cross the BLUE RIDE/ APPLALCHAIN mountains with very little or minimal steep highways ?
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Old 06-30-2011, 07:08 AM   #2
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Sid, 15/29 does not go though Fredericksburg. You would have to take Rt. 17 from there to get to Rt. 15/29.....not familiar with Rt. 17. Rt. 29/15 around Warrenton is not bad. Gainsville near the Rt. 66 can be hectic, especially around DC. rush hour times, and some construction work going on.

You won't be crossing the Appalachians on any of those routes.....those moutains run down the spine of the Va. WVa. border. I-66W to I-81 near Front Royal will get you past the worst of the Blue Ridge.......the Shenandoah Rivers meet there, so you are goin through a relatively flat area.

Except for my lack of knowledge on Rt. 17, that route should be good.

If I were trying to just make time, I would go I-95 to I-77 to I-81.
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Old 06-30-2011, 07:19 AM   #3
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Rt. 17 at Fredericksburg is a good road. A little bit of traffic at I-95/Rt. 17, but after that, you would be good the rest of the way over to I-81.
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Old 06-30-2011, 07:59 AM   #4
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I would suggest 95 to 17 (Fredricksburg )and then stay on 17 all the way to 66. This is more direct and keeps you clear of a lot of the mess around Gainesville/DC
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Old 06-30-2011, 08:43 AM   #5
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Best Route to I-81

Thank you so much fellows, All of you have answered my question.
When you clarified my question about it being flat or mountainous with the two rivers coming together just before I-81 on I-66.

Thank you again.
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Old 06-30-2011, 09:12 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dimurrrw View Post
I would suggest 95 to 17 (Fredricksburg )and then stay on 17 all the way to 66. This is more direct and keeps you clear of a lot of the mess around Gainesville/DC
Duh-uh. I don't know what I was thinking about suggesting Rt. 15/29 to Gainsville. The OP was questioning that, so that is where my mind went.

Rt. 17 to I-66 definitely.
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Old 06-30-2011, 09:27 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DAISY BOYKIN View Post
Thank you so much fellows, All of you have answered my question.
When you clarified my question about it being flat or mountainous with the two rivers coming together just before I-81 on I-66.

Thank you again.
Being that you are from Jacksonville, I certainly understand your concern about mountains. There is really no way to avoid them unless you ride 95 all the way up. You really have to have a well-developed death wish to do that!
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Old 06-30-2011, 09:49 AM   #8
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If you were to take I-77, you will be going over the mountains at Fancy Gap and it is a pretty good climb and there are some pretty good swings down from there to I-81. If you decide to be adventurous then take 95 to I-26 up through Columbia and then I-77 North.
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Old 06-30-2011, 12:31 PM   #9
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If you take I-95 all the way you get to enjoy the wonderful traffic and tolls of Richmond, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Hartford, Providence, and Boston. Unless you have time to go sight-seeing in those cities (and there is a lot to see), the drive-through will be very stressful, especially from 3pm-7pm weekdays. (appx 1400 miles)

I-95/I-26/I-77/I-81/I-84/I-90/I-95 (appx 1500 miles) will miss all of those metropolitan areas except Hartford and the northern suburbs of Boston. It is also a very beautiful route, especially central New York. Some up and down hills in PA and NY. Really, the only major climb is at Fancy Gap Virginia, but there is a slow lane and turnouts and it's only about a 7 mile climb then you are good to go. A slightly longer route but depending on traffic on the I-95 all-the-way route it could actually save time. And I think you will enjoy the drive more.
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Old 06-30-2011, 02:29 PM   #10
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We travel to Va from Pa regularly. Picking up 95N to 17N to 66W to 81 is the way to go
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Old 07-10-2011, 03:22 PM   #11
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I have been both ways to Maine(I95 to rt 17 north to I81 and around DC )and I can tell you the best way to go is to take I95 to RT 17 North,I66 west to I 81 north. There are few mountains to travel and the traffic moves fairly smoth. DO NOT TAKE I 95 thru NEW YORK. It is a really tough time especially if you are pulling a trailer. I have done it and I travel out of the way to avoid doing it again. We are planning a trip to Maine in Sept.and I will definitely travel I81.
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