Need road info from Richmond to Luray VA please

kerrlakelover · 10-26-2014, 08:29 PM

We're headed to Luray, Va Friday from Raleigh NC on our last trip of the season with the FW. I'm taking I85/I95 up to Richmond. Once I get to Richmond, Good Sam routes me west on I64 and then up 15, 33, 340, and finally 211 into Luray. I'm just curious about 15, 33 and 340. Looks like they they are all 2 lane except for a couple of 4 lane sections on 33. I don't mind a 2 lane as long as its is a descent width. Would some of you Virginia folks enlighten me on these roads please? Also, I'm thinking about bypassing all the downtown Richmond mess by taking 288 from I95 up to I64. I hate that little I95 jog downtown around to I64. I'll consider any other recommendations too Thanks!!

asquared · 10-27-2014, 12:20 AM

I don't know how well this would work coming from wake forest but since we live in mebane, we cut the back way up to 81. It involves a good deal of two lane roads and going up and down afton mountain in va. The roads are passable by travel trailer or fiver as I used this way to endless caverns for a couple of years and to 81 for Hershey PA this year also.

We usually go 49 or 119 up to 158 but 86 to 29 works too. I just don't know anything about 98. Put the trip into Google from wake forest to Hillsborough to litany, this way will pop up for you.

Trevor43 · 10-27-2014, 02:12 AM

Going to Yogi Bear Family Campground?

kerrlakelover · 10-27-2014, 07:19 AM

Asquared, thanks, yep I thought about running up thru Lynchburg, but it's actually a little further/longer since I have to run over to Hillsborough. I'm thinking running up I85/95 might be a little easier driving except for the 15,33 and 340 part of the trip. (That is if you consider interstate driving easier...haha)

Tevor43, I'm actually thinking about Outlander's River Camp. It's just DW, the dog and me. We don't need all the kiddie things that Yogie Bear appears to offer. And Outlanders is a few buck cheaper. Unless you advise me to stay away from Outlanders.

Thanks!

Witch Doctor · 10-27-2014, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerrlakelover

We're headed to Luray, Va Friday from Raleigh NC on our last trip of the season with the FW. I'm taking I85/I95 up to Richmond. Once I get to Richmond, Good Sam routes me west on I64 and then up 15, 33, 340, and finally 211 into Luray. I'm just curious about 15, 33 and 340. Looks like they they are all 2 lane except for a couple of 4 lane sections on 33. I don't mind a 2 lane as long as its is a descent width. Would some of you Virginia folks enlighten me on these roads please? Also, I'm thinking about bypassing all the downtown Richmond mess by taking 288 from I95 up to I64. I hate that little I95 jog downtown around to I64. I'll consider any other recommendations too Thanks!!

You will not have a problem on any of the roads. You will be going through some small Community's that will slow you down a little. I can't tell you about 211 being I have never driven it. You might want to take 360 you catch it in South Boston then to 340 into Luray. That's about 185 miles.

Trevor43 · 10-27-2014, 12:38 PM

I really know nothing of the area.........the directions you gave are the
same ones I have to head to Luray. I have a 10 year old son so these
activities are perfect for him. Supposed to get chilly Sat. night.

jbrostek · 10-27-2014, 12:53 PM

US340 at least north or Luray I have used a lot and I would have no problem taking a 5er or motor home up it. it joins with 211 on the east side of some decent grades you have to manuver if you take 211 off I81. I have been on the 211 route over the grades, and its not bad though are some pretty good grades to cross in a short period of time.

I would probably skip US15 and stay on I64 to Charlottesville and take US29 which I have towed many a times with a big trailer, my 5th wheel and my old diesel pusher and never had an issue in that area. But there is some traffic to deal with there on your way northbound on 29, from there you can pick up 33 to 340. Or just stay on I64 until you get to the US340 exit, and follow it up to Luray. Map wise that leaves you handling the one set of grades on the interstate rather then on US 33.

MtnGuy · 10-27-2014, 01:46 PM

Our usual route from Ruckersvile to Richmond is the 1 you mentioned.....Rt. 33, to Rt 15, to I-64.....and back the same way. No problems pulling a camper that way. You are correct, there is mostly 2 lane roads on Rt. 15 and Rt. 33.

You will need to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains via Swift Run Gap using Rt. 33 to get to Rt. 340. That includes 7 & 8% grades, with 3 lane road....2 going up a 1 coming down each side. The mountains are not a problem with this ol' boy......I just use 2nd gear going up and down the hill (as we call it around here).

Another route if you don't care to do the mountain at Swift Run is to do I-64 to Rt. 340 in Waynesboro, and then straight up Rt. 340 to Luray. You still gotta cross the Blue Ridge, but it is interstate highway. The trucks slow down to 45 or 50 for the climb, and usually just find 1 doing the speed I want, and get in behind.

You will see beautiful country either route.

TheFordes · 10-27-2014, 09:12 PM

Mind you I live in the valley

Pretty much at the intersection of 81 and 64 I would come 95 to 288 to 64 to 340.

Yes 340 is two lanes in places. And has reduced speed. But is by far the better route.

On 340 WATCH your speed. They sit on that road all the time.

Good luck and Happy Camping

MtnGuy · 10-28-2014, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFordes

On 340 WATCH your speed. They sit on that road all the time.

Especially in Grottoes.

kerrlakelover · 10-28-2014, 09:27 AM

Thanks to all, especially the locals (TheFordes & Mtnguy)! I think I'll take I-64 over to Waynesboro, then run 340 up to Luray. Also, just booked our site at Outlanders River Camp. They are a few bucks less than KOA and Yogi Bear. It's just me, DW and the pup so we don't need all the KOA and YB amenities. Any comments on Outlanders???

TheFordes · 10-28-2014, 04:09 PM

Kerrlakelover. Sorry but haven't heard of Outlanders. But I will let you know that although it is 80 degrees today high of 45 Friday and low of 31 degrees. Saturday is going to be on the chilly side also. So bring warm clothes

MtnGuy · 10-28-2014, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerrlakelover

Any comments on Outlanders???

Never heard of it. Let us know what ya think.

kerrlakelover · 10-28-2014, 06:56 PM

Yep, been watching Weather underground. Guess well do the caverns Saturday morning while it's raining. Sounds like weather will be nicer underground Saturday. haha I'll let you know about Outlanders. Thanks again! Outlanders River Camp Luray Va Shenandoah Valley RV Tent Camping

asquared · 10-29-2014, 11:55 PM

Enjoy the trip. Another nice campground up there is endless caverns. You can do a cavern your on the campground (or go to visit the cavern if not staying there). Have stayed there twice for crossroads rallies in the past.

TheFordes · 10-30-2014, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asquared

Enjoy the trip. Another nice campground up there is endless caverns. You can do a cavern your on the campground (or go to visit the cavern if not staying there). Have stayed there twice for crossroads rallies in the past.

We camp there about once a year. Disappointed the last few times. They seem to be letting the grounds go

kerrlakelover · 11-04-2014, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerrlakelover

Yep, been watching Weather underground. Guess well do the caverns Saturday morning while it's raining. Sounds like weather will be nicer underground Saturday. haha I'll let you know about Outlanders. Thanks again! Outlanders River Camp Luray Va Shenandoah Valley RV Tent Camping

Well, the Duramax and Towmax tires made the 600+ mile trip without a hitch (not that rough southbound 288 around Richmond didn't challenge them both). The Shenandoah Valley, Luray Caverns and Skyline Drive were wonderful. And as expected, we ushered in winter...brrrrrrr.
Outlanders River Camp (ORC) is a 3 year old neat, clean and well laid out CG. While it does not have all the amenities of KOA or Yogi Bear, it makes up for it with its location right on the bend of the river where (during the summer) you can enter the river on one side of the CG, ride the river around the bend, exit the river on the other side of the CG and go do it all over again. Kids will love it. The full hook up sites are big and easy to access. Their primitive sites along the river are amazing. All the facilities are new and clean. We would surely stay there again. Only recommendations I made were to at least invest in cable TV hookups and to refresh some of the gravel on the 3 year old sites. One thing that may be a downer for some folks is that the roads and sites are gravel and may get a bit dusty in the summer. But, ORC is a neat privately owned CG.

MtnGuy · 11-04-2014, 01:25 PM

Nice report, kerrlakelover !!

It is a shame that Rt. 288 is that rough after only about 10 years of use.

TheFordes · 11-04-2014, 01:56 PM

Glad you had a great and safe trip. And yes. South 288 is the pits. Literally

Might have to take a ride and check out this campground. Do you know if they are open year around?

kerrlakelover · 11-04-2014, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFordes

Glad you had a great and safe trip. And yes. South 288 is the pits. Literally

Might have to take a ride and check out this campground. Do you know if they are open year around?

Yep, says in big letters on their website that they are open year round...haha, it's so big that I almost missed it. Also, if you are familiar with the area, they are associated with "Outlanders" just up the road that is a motorcycle and UTV/ATV shop/store. BTW Virginia friends, to be fair regarding my comments about 288, I85 in NC is really bad in many places. I'll even warn you, if you ever exit off I85 onto US hwy 1 at Henderson NC slow down as there is a section of road a couple hundreds yards long that will literally make you think you are going to be thrown off the roadway....it's that rough. To me, it's actually an embarrassment to my state.

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