Road tripping from Richmond, VA to Ann Arbor, MI

Started by WillWeaverRVA, September 24, 2016, 02:30:53 PM

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WillWeaverRVA

So my wife and I drove from Richmond, VA to Ann Arbor, MI for our niece's birthday this weekend. We made the drive all in one day, and it was a nice drive other than the Ohio Turnpike's perpetual construction.

I took over 400 photos (which are still uploading), so I've split them into albums by state. By the time we got to Michigan, it was too dark even for a DSLR) so I put the few photos from there so far in the Ohio album. I probably won't take as many photos on the way back. These photos are MUCH better than the Charlotte trip photos I took a couple months ago because I remembered to bring the stupid polarizing filter.

The route was

US 33 -> I-295 -> I-95 -> US 17 (Fredericksburg to Opal) -> US 15/17/29 (Opal to Warrenton) -> US 17 (Warrenton to Marshall) -> I-66 (Marshall to I-81) -> I-81 (I-66 to VA 37) -> VA 37 -> US 522 (Winchester, VA to Hancock, MD) -> I-70 (Hancock to Breezewood) -> I-70/76 (Breezewood to I-80 in Ohio) -> I-80 (and later I-80/90) Ohio Turnpike -> I-75 (Toledo to I-475) -> I-475 -> US 23

Virginia photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/willshighways/albums/72157670959123283

West Virginia photos (including some in Berkeley Springs): https://www.flickr.com/photos/willshighways/albums/72157673124524250

Maryland photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/willshighways/albums/72157674320264725

Pennsylvania photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/willshighways/albums/72157674225852686

Ohio and Michigan: https://www.flickr.com/photos/willshighways/albums/72157673146450071

The photos are still uploading so right now the Ohio/Michigan gallery is still incomplete for now. It'll be complete in a little while though.
Will Weaver
WillWeaverRVA Photography | Twitter

"But how will the oxen know where to drown if we renumber the Oregon Trail?" - NE2


74/171FAN

https://www.flickr.com/photos/willshighways/29602865690/in/album-72157670959123283/

Had you seen this temporary sign for US 17 on I-95 NB before?  I had never seen the interchange referred to as Exits 133A-B on NB but only SB
I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

Mapmikey

Quote from: 74/171FAN on September 25, 2016, 08:46:44 AM
https://www.flickr.com/photos/willshighways/29602865690/in/album-72157670959123283/

Had you seen this temporary sign for US 17 on I-95 NB before?  I had never seen the interchange referred to as Exits 133A-B on NB but only SB

This was installed sometime after Feb 2016 replacing an overhead assembly.  Interestingly, the brown sign for Belmont has had a 133A tab since its installation in 2010-2011 timeframe.

WillWeaverRVA

Yeah, this was the first time I'd noticed that sign. I hadn't been up that way on I-95 in a while, though.
Will Weaver
WillWeaverRVA Photography | Twitter

"But how will the oxen know where to drown if we renumber the Oregon Trail?" - NE2

WillWeaverRVA

Somehow, it managed to rain during the entire 600+ mile trip back from Michigan, so there weren't too many photos on the way back. I've created an album with what I was able to get, including some ODOT contactor screwups along US 23 in Toledo.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/willshighways/albums/72157671122477594
Will Weaver
WillWeaverRVA Photography | Twitter

"But how will the oxen know where to drown if we renumber the Oregon Trail?" - NE2

plain

Though it's a convenient little shortcut, I absolutely despise US 522 through West Virginia. One piece of farm equipment or a senior citizen and traffic backs up forever
Newark born, Richmond bred

WillWeaverRVA

Quote from: plain on October 02, 2016, 08:07:32 AM
Though it's a convenient little shortcut, I absolutely despise US 522 through West Virginia. One piece of farm equipment or a senior citizen and traffic backs up forever

I really wish there was a bypass of Berkeley Springs. Traffic was fairly heavy through there both ways.
Will Weaver
WillWeaverRVA Photography | Twitter

"But how will the oxen know where to drown if we renumber the Oregon Trail?" - NE2

hbelkins

I think this is another one of those instances where a state really doesn't want to spend millions of dollars basically for the benefit of out-of-state travelers. There have been a few proposals floated over the years to tie into Virginia's four-laning of 522.


Government would be tolerable if not for politicians and bureaucrats.

Mapmikey

Quote from: plain on October 02, 2016, 08:07:32 AM
Though it's a convenient little shortcut, I absolutely despise US 522 through West Virginia. One piece of farm equipment or a senior citizen and traffic backs up forever

Google says it is only 2 minutes faster to use US 522 versus I-81/I-70 from the Winchester area.  However, if it is daytime I always use 522 even if there are sometimes slowdowns (lots of deer so not a good night time route).

If one were heading for Cumberland or further west on I-68 it is about 15 minutes shorter to use VA/WV 127, WV 29, WV 9, MD 51 which does not have a ton of actual mountain driving...

plain

Quote from: hbelkins on October 03, 2016, 11:51:48 AM
I think this is another one of those instances where a state really doesn't want to spend millions of dollars basically for the benefit of out-of-state travelers. There have been a few proposals floated over the years to tie into Virginia's four-laning of 522.
Yeah now that you say that, makes sense (unfortunately smdh)

Quote from: Mapmikey on October 03, 2016, 01:18:14 PM
Quote from: plain on October 02, 2016, 08:07:32 AM
Though it's a convenient little shortcut, I absolutely despise US 522 through West Virginia. One piece of farm equipment or a senior citizen and traffic backs up forever

Google says it is only 2 minutes faster to use US 522 versus I-81/I-70 from the Winchester area.  However, if it is daytime I always use 522 even if there are sometimes slowdowns (lots of deer so not a good night time route).

If one were heading for Cumberland or further west on I-68 it is about 15 minutes shorter to use VA/WV 127, WV 29, WV 9, MD 51 which does not have a ton of actual mountain driving...

Hmm never really thought of those routes before. Really does sound smart though since both I-81 and US 522 bears to the northeast at some point before reaching Maryland.


On another note and speaking of west of Cumberland lol, when I clinched I-68 the connection to WV/PA 43 didn't exist yet. I went to GSV  recently to check out the interchange and noticed the 7% grade warning on the BGS for 43 on 68. I've never driven 43. Does anyone know where the steep grade is located?
Newark born, Richmond bred

epzik8

Aww man. Of course you went through the narrowest part of Maryland, my home state. I'm sure you realize Maryland is much more than Hancock, though.
From the land of red, white, yellow and black.
____________________________

My clinched highways: http://tm.teresco.org/user/?u=epzik8
My clinched counties: http://mob-rule.com/user-gifs/USA/epzik8.gif

Mapmikey

Quote from: plain on October 04, 2016, 11:03:29 PM

On another note and speaking of west of Cumberland lol, when I clinched I-68 the connection to WV/PA 43 didn't exist yet. I went to GSV  recently to check out the interchange and noticed the 7% grade warning on the BGS for 43 on 68. I've never driven 43. Does anyone know where the steep grade is located?

It is the exit ramp itself.  This warning was on the previous CR 857 BGS as well.  In addition there is no warning coming the other direction on I-68...

WillWeaverRVA

Quote from: epzik8 on October 05, 2016, 01:22:50 AM
Aww man. Of course you went through the narrowest part of Maryland, my home state. I'm sure you realize Maryland is much more than Hancock, though.

Oh, I know. We just didn't want to deal with DC area traffic. :P
Will Weaver
WillWeaverRVA Photography | Twitter

"But how will the oxen know where to drown if we renumber the Oregon Trail?" - NE2

plain

Quote from: Mapmikey on October 05, 2016, 06:37:40 AM
Quote from: plain on October 04, 2016, 11:03:29 PM

On another note and speaking of west of Cumberland lol, when I clinched I-68 the connection to WV/PA 43 didn't exist yet. I went to GSV  recently to check out the interchange and noticed the 7% grade warning on the BGS for 43 on 68. I've never driven 43. Does anyone know where the steep grade is located?

It is the exit ramp itself.  This warning was on the previous CR 857 BGS as well.  In addition there is no warning coming the other direction on I-68...

Oh ok. I guess the fact that the ramp is extra long should've been a clue lmao
Newark born, Richmond bred



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