Yes, you heard it right, It's almost that time again. I usually take 95S all the way. Mass Pike to Conn and then thru NY, George W. Bridge, NJ Pike, Delaware Bridge, Maryland, DC, Virginia, etc... I have customers, that have been driving down there longer then me, tell me to go another way. They say it might ad a hour or two. I really don't know what route they mention. One person tells me to thru Upstate NY and a couple of them tell me to go thru PA. I have been driving the same route for 8 years now (twice a year) and I've gotten used of it. But if there's better route, I'll try it. So does any of my fellow New Englanders have this "Better Route?" Thanks
Not sure what part of Florida you go to, but how about the way I usually go to Charlotte and Atlanta, 84 to 81, past Roanoke VA., pick up 77 south to Charlotte, then pick up 85 to Atlanta. From Atlanta you could take 75 to Florida. This keeps you away from most major cities, no tolls, less traffic, etc.
Could they be talking about taking 81 South through Harrisburg, PA and then through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia? It's further west than 95 but you avoid all of the crap going through NY City/New Jersey and then DC which, depending on time of day, can be pretty congested. There are some ways to get on 81 South coming out of NE, mainly by staying on 84W to Scranton and picking up 81 there. Things get dicey though as you go through western VA unless you cut back east through Charlottesville on Rt 64 and back on 95. I suppose you could go through Roanoke instead and then take 77 South through Charlotte NC and then Columbia SC and picking up 95 south of there. Parts of that route should be very scenic but I have to believe that the time added will be a lot more than a couple of hours though. Map it to see for sure because depending on what part of Florida you are going to, it may not be so long. I hear that Jacksonville for instance is something like 300 miles west of Miami and almost directly due south of Akron, Ohio! Okay, late edit, just did a quick google map of the routes from my house to Jacksonville and the more western route through Columbia is 17 hr 41 min vs. 15 hours and 35 min. via 95 all the way. Plus 2 hours and 6 minutes. Go figure! John
Good thread, I was just thinking of driving down to FL myself. Chris, how long does it take you to get there usually?
Thanks for the tips guys. Like you said it's timing trying to get threw the main citys. But once you get threw VA. it's not bad. Ray, i go Marco Island. I do pretty good. Takes me 30hrs of straight driving. I can make it to the Florida border before i run out of steam.
i'm heading south for the cavallino next week and although inland routes sound appealing 9 months a year,it might be a bit dicey in january...especially in my little tt ! btw,if you like bbq,don't miss the GA PIG just off 95 in southern georgia...ummm
At Cavalino. We can always meet at this place in South Carolina for a nice meal. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I spent 9 years driving back and forth between CT and Auburn and it is the exact route that I went (at least to Atlanta). It added a lot of miles, but typically cut about 5 hours off the trip v. going 95. You'll have to balance that savings with the fact that you'll be adding time to get from Atlanta to Marco Island.
This route looks promising. I'll have to bring up a map to see the route. So you're saying 84 to 81 and then 77 all the way down and then just connect to 95? Is that route a interstate highway? Rest areas like 95? Thanks
I84 to Scranton PA, then I81 to Wytheville, VA where you pick up I77 South. I can't speak for I77 past Charlotte as that's where I got on I85, but it looks like you can take 77 to Columbia SC, then take I26 from Columbia to I95. Interstates all the way.
I too can't speak for 77 past Charlotte, but the rest of the way, yes, rest areas, lots of truck stops, etc... Can get a bit boring here and there, not much to see, but a nice ride overall. And yes again, major routes, two lanes each way, divided highways. And watch out for the Staties in Virginia, they are STRICT !!!! they like to sit up at the top of ramps, and aim the radar down from behind you as you go by...
Well guys, i took a look at my options and i think this route will work for me. 84 to 81 then to 77 and then cut across on 26 and connect to 95 in SC. What do you think?
Do it, and let us know how it goes. If it isn't still closed for the winter, jump off on to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Roanoake,VA to Fancy Gap - well worth the extra time.
Forgot to mention (probably because I'm in Key West and was drinking when I left my last post), check online before you leave as to whether the Blue Ridge Parkway is open or not - its aggravating as hell when you drive out of your way to take it and find out its closed for the winter. Added a few hours to a drive to Tampa one winter - I was most displeased.
Chris, FYI, from Leominster, I can usually make it to Roanoke in 10 hours +/-, Hillsville / Galax Va. on I 77 in 12 hours, and Charlotte in 14 hours.
