Travel Winchester VA to Route 95 South to FL

[Eaglelover]

From Winchester Va on 81 to 77 to Charlotte and on to 95 south. I believe there is a long pull on 77? Are there other long hills from from Winchester 81 to 95 South on this route?? Thanks in advance for any help; Frank

[King Yankee]

We use to take that route to Florida until we tried 64E in Staunton, made the trip so much more pleasant, very easy over to Richmond than directly south on 95, please look at this route and reconsider. Really nice route.

[Eaglelover]

Thanks King Yankee. I looked at that route. Is there a long pull on the west side or am I thinking of another road? I remember a long down hill run on the east side of a road to Richmond however the down hill was beautiful. Frank

[King Yankee]

I don't remember a long run downhill on 64, a lot less traffic the last 3 times I used it. Even in-laws following me loved it better.

[Eaglelover]

King Yankee OK Thanks for all your input. Heading out for Florida via Winchester VA for Thanksgiving. Regards; Frank

[King Yankee]

Have a safe trip my friend we head down to Florida after Thanksgiving

[Eaglelover]

Yes and you also. We will be at Seven Springs in New Port Richy.

[BooBoo23]

You can take Route 50 out of Winchester to Route 17 (mostly 4 lane) then down to I-95 just north of Fredericksburg, not a bad drive. There is a bypass around Warrenton. Or another way from Winchester would be I-81 south to I-66 east to pick up Route 17 south down to I-95, that way you miss a little more of 2 lane road. If you go I-81 to I-77 there is a long downgrade on I-77 just as you go over the state line from Fancy Gap VA to NC. It is about a 6 mile downgrade. On a clear day you can see about 40 miles from the top.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by BooBoo23

You can take Route 50 out of Winchester to Route 17 then down to I-95 just north of Fredericksburg, not a bad drive. There is a bypass around Warrenton. Or another way from Winchester would be I-81 south to I-66 east to pick up Route 17 south down to I-95, that way you miss a little more of 2 lane road. If you go I-81 to I-77 there is a long downgrade on I-77 just as you go over the state line from Fancy Gap VA to NC. It is about a 6 mile downgrade. On a clear day you can see about 40 miles from the top.

+1 on the I-81 to I-66 to Route 17.
That is a fine way to get to I-95 from Winchester.

[Eaglelover]

Thanks guys for the replies. The problem started with the DW wanting to go to Floyd on the way down. The TV has just over 200,000 and is towing at max GVW so I wanted to avoid the hills. I usually went the 66 to 17 to 95 which is what I think I will choose. The solution is to stay at Candy Hill, visit our daughter and make the Floyd part a overnight trip and motel it. Thanks; Frank

[grumpy0374]

We live in Va, just off I-81 and I-64, and have traveled both, and I-77 alot.
From I-81 to I-95, using I-64 no long grades accept from mm 96 to mm 101, you'll go over Afton Mountain, but it's not bad at all.
From I-81 south down to I-77, no bad grades at all.
On I-77 south from I-81, just your normal 3-4% grades every now and then. Only bad spot is I-77 at the Va-NC state line. It's a 5-6% grade---but downhill (going north it's 5-6% uphill). Once in NC no really bad grades, but around Charlotte the interstate is very busy, and road surface is crummy.
I-81 and I-77, road surface is quite good...just got back from Fancy Gap KOA and took that route back. If you need a real nice campground while on that route, Fancy Gap KOA, I-77, exit 8 is beautiful. Real nice KOA in Wythville, Va, off I-81.
Grumpy

[Eaglelover]

Grumpy0374 I thought there was a long pull on 77 heading south to Statesville ? The 5-6% is North bound?

[grumpy0374]

Not to sure about the area around Statesville, NC. Grade I was referring to is on I-77 at the Va-NC state line. Southbound it's 5-6% downhill, and northbound it's 5-6% uphill. Your basically climbing out of NC up hill into Va.
Most grades in the central and eastern area of NC aren't too bad as the area is more rolling hills than mountainous. You're more likely to hit longish grades of 3-4% thru central NC and northern SC.
We have a Lexington 283ts class c, and tow a Subaru. Have never had a problem towing thru NC, Va, SC, Tenn, Pa, with that combo. Most driving thru mountains here is fairly short, a few miles here and there. And, it's not a steady constant climb, it will level out as you go, and then go up and down.
Not like out west where you may be hauling uphill for a lot of miles.
If you've travelled I-66 east from I-81, your fimilar with a streach of road outside of Front Royal that's 4-5 miles long with 3-5% grades. That's a lot like the interstates in central NC and northern SC.
If your looking for the "flatest" route, then it's going to be I-81 to I-64 east, then I-64 east to I-95. Aside from the Afton Mountain 3-4 mile run, it pretty much flat all the way.
Grumpy

[Oaklevel]

Sorry got to ask why Floyd?????

I77 the biggest problem I see is Fog on Fancy Gap Mountain (NC VA state line) is often & can make the trip dangerous but on a clear day it is beautiful.........

[Eaglelover]

Thanks Grumpy: Maybe i am just a bit paranoid about the hills. I just want to get to FL with out a problem. The TV has been great but just last week I blew a brake line and had to have all new lines and calipers. I am thankful it happened without the TT. I have a 2002 Chevy with a small V8 at 200,000 mls. towing a 2012 Windjammer 34'. After our conversation I am leaning towards taking the TT to Floyd area and either stay at that KOA or the Chantilly Festival Farm. DW wants to be at the Country store for the music. Thanks so much for the help. Frank

[Eaglelover]

Oaklevel. As mentioned above we love the old country/folk style music and DW saw adds about the country store in Floyd, Soooo you know what that means.

[twiggw]

There is a pretty good down hill coming off Afton Mountain on I-64. I was wondering why you didn't do 66, 17, 95 and then I read the part about Floyd! Good luck, travel safe

[Life Without Whine]

Just from the Florida point of view ... get off 95 & if possible come in to the state further west ....98 is a beautiful road south & even 75 can be better & leaves you closer to your destination.

Happy safe travels

[Eaglelover]

Life Without Whine: Thanks for the suggestion but I think our timing from Floyd to New Port Richy is to tight, only 2 days. We leave Floyd on 11/29 and have a reservation for 12/1 at Seven Springs. Thanks; Frank

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Eaglelover

Oaklevel. As mentioned above we love the old country/folk style music and DW saw adds about the country store in Floyd, Soooo you know what that means.

Yep I do.....I heard its a lot of fun, We only live about an hour from there but have never been to The Country Store....... Been to Floyd numerous times quaint small town but does have a Hardees & one stop light. .... If you had time just over the state line not too far off I77 in NC is Mt Airy "Mayberry" another small town everything Andy Griffith and Mayberry Campground is highly Recommended.

Also if you hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway just south of Floyd a just a very few miles south is the Chateau Morrisette Winery and restaurant.... Chateau Morrisette: Virginia Winery and Restaurant on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The road going south out of Floyd is curvy & steep (Rt 8). Do not pull a camper past the Parkway (South on RT8) On the north side Rt 8 is just mainly curvy all the way to I81.

Enjoy......