The next exit along southbound Interstate 81 is Exit 296, Junction U.S. 48 west (Appalachian Regional Development Corridor H) and Virginia 55 east/west, one mile. U.S. 48 is one of the newest U.S. routes, signed in 2003 as Virginia's section of Corridor H, an expressway under construction from Elkins, West Virginia, east to Strasburg via an alignment parallel to U.S. 219, West Virginia 93, West Virginia 42, West Virginia 55, and Virginia 55. While the highway remains incomplete in West Virginia, Virginia opted to use existing Virginia 55 for its segment of U.S. 48/Corridor H, with no immediate plans for upgrades. At the time this photo was taken, U.S. 48 only existed from this interchange west to the Virginia State Line. The West Virginia section of U.S. 48 will not be signed until Corridor H is completed. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Southbound Interstate 81 reaches Exit 296, Junction U.S. 48 and Virginia 55. For more on the construction progress of the U.S. 48/Corridor H progress, visit West Virginia's Corridor H. Once it is completed, the entire route from Elkins to Strasburg will be designated U.S. 48. Some have touted Corridor H as a future westerly extension of Interstate 66, but such a routing is unlikely initially since the highway will not be built to Interstate standards. However, longer-range upgrades are certainly possible. Photo taken 06/01/04.
Now on the offramp from southbound Interstate 81 to U.S. 48 west and Virginia 55 east/west, a left turn leads east on Virginia 55, while a right turn leads west on both Virginia 55 and U.S. 48. This interchange marks the eastern terminus of U.S. 48; U.S. 48 does not even reach U.S. 11, located a couple miles east of here in Strasburg. Because of the taller initial letter in "WEST U.S. 48," this sign assembly betrays how recently the U.S. 48 shield and banners were supplemented to this sign. As for Virginia 55, it follows U.S. 48 west, then becomes West Virginia 55 upon crossing the state line. Heading east, Virginia 55 enters Strasburg, then parallels Interstate 66 from Strasburg east to U.S. 29 at Gainesville via Front Royal. Photo taken 06/01/04.
The next exit along southbound is Exit 291, Junction Virginia Secondary 651 west to Mount Olive and east to U.S. 11 and Toms Brook, one mile. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Unlike Maryland and Arizona, Virginia generally only uses two advance signs for its rural interchanges: at the one mile advance and just prior to the gore point. The signage for southbound Interstate 81 at Exit 291, Junction Virginia Secondary 651 is no exception. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Virginia 42, the next exit along southbound Interstate 81, is Exit 283. Originating in Woodstock just east of this interchange, Virginia 42 heads south through Columbia Furnace, Forestville, Timberville, Harrisonburg, and Bridgewater before entering Augusta County. The southern terminus of Virginia 42 is at Interstate 64/U.S. 60, Exit 29. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Southbound Interstate 81 reaches Exit 283, Junction Virginia 42 east to Woodstock/U.S. 11 and west to Columbia Furnace and then south toward Harrisonburg via Timberville. Photo taken 06/06/04.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 81 is Exit 279, Junction Virginia 185 southeast to Edinburg and Virginia Secondary 675 northwest to Columbia Furnace and Wolf Gap Recreation Area. Upon crossing into West Virginia, Virginia Secondary 675 changes into a West Virginia Secondary route that connects to West Virginia 55 at Wardensville. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Southbound Interstate 81 reaches Exit 279, Junction Virginia 185 southeast to Edinburg and Virginia Secondary 675 northwest to Wolf Gap. Virginia 185 is a fairly short route, connecting Interstate 81 with U.S. 11 in Edinburg. Southeast of Edinburg, Virginia Secondary 675 continues across Massanutten Mountain to culminate in Luray (Junction U.S. 211-340). Photo taken 06/06/04.
Continuing south, Interstate 81 next meets Virginia 292 east to U.S. 11 and Mount Jackson and Virginia Secondary 703 to Virginia 263 to Basye and Orkney Springs at Exit 273. Photo taken 06/06/04.
There is no direct connection to Virginia 263, so use Exit 273 to reach Virginia 292, U.S. 11, Virginia Secondary 703, and Virginia 263. This photo shows southbound Interstate 81 as it reaches Exit 273. Like Virginia 185, Virginia 292 is merely a connector route between Interstate 81 and U.S. 11. Photo taken 06/06/04.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 81 is Exit 269, Junction Virginia Secondary 730 west to Shenandoah Caverns and east to U.S. 11. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Southbound Interstate 81 reaches Exit 269, Junction Virginia Secondary 730, Shenandoah Caverns. Several caverns are located in the Shenandoah Valley, including Shenandoah Caverns. Photo taken 06/06/04.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 81 is Exit 264, Junction U.S. 211 east to New Market, Luray, Shenandoah National Park, and Warrenton and Junction Virginia 211 west to Timberville and Virginia 42, one mile. This is a major interchange and connection to the attractions in and around Shenandoah National Park. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Another pair of caverns may be reached via Exit 264: Luray Caverns via eastbound U.S. 211 over Massanutten Mountain in Luray and Endless Caverns south of New Market via U.S. 211 east to U.S. 11 south into Rockingham County. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Use U.S. 211 east to reach Shenandoah National Park and the famous Skyline Drive, which straddles the Blue Ridge Mountains as they head north toward Front Royal and south toward Waynesboro. Arguably one of the most scenic drives in this region, it takes a much more leisurely pace than Interstate 81 through some gorgeous eastern mountain scenery. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Although not mentioned on this sign, Exit 264 forms the western terminus of U.S. 211. Virginia 211 continues west from this interchange en route to Timberville, where it ends at a junction with Virginia 42. U.S. 211, meanwhile, heads east into New Market, then extends toward Luray, Luray Caverns, Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, Sperryville, and ultimately Warrenton. U.S. 211 is an unusual road, because it is one of a handful of odd-numbered U.S. routes that run east-west, it is less than 300 miles in length, and it is solely within one state (although it used to extend into Washington, D.C.) Although it breaks all these rules, it still remains a U.S. route. U.S. 311, its sibling in North Carolina, breaks the latter two rules, and it has also been allowed to continue to exist. Photo taken 06/06/04.
A rest area is situated near Milepost 262 along southbound. The next rest area is located near Milepost 232, about 30 miles south of here. Photo taken 06/06/04.
The next exit along southbound is Exit 257, Junction U.S. 11 and Virginia 259 north to Broadway and Fulks Run. Photo taken 06/06/04.
U.S. 11, which parallels Interstate 81 its entire length through Virginia, intersects with Interstate 81 again at Exit 257. Use U.S. 11 south to Lacey Spring and north to Endless Caverns. Virginia 259 heads north from this interchange into West Virginia; West Virginia 259 ends at West Virginia 55/Future U.S. 48 in Baker. Photo taken 06/06/04.
After Exit 257, this mileage sign provides the distance to Harrisonburg (home of James Madison University/Junction U.S. 33), Staunton (Junction Interstate 64), and Roanoke (Junction Future Interstate 73/U.S. 220). Photo taken 06/06/04.
The next four exits serve the city of Harrisonburg: Exit 251, Spur to U.S. 11; Exits 247B-A, Junction U.S. 33; Exit 245, Virginia Secondary 659/Port Republic Road; and Exit 243, Spur to U.S. 11. Use Exit 245/Virginia Secondary 659 to reach James Madison University ("JMU"). Photo taken 06/06/04.
The first Harrisonburg exit is Exit 251, spur to Junction U.S. 11, one mile. Essentially, a brief divided highway connects Interstate 81 with U.S. 11. A connection between Exits 251 and 243 would make an excellent business loop for Interstate 81 through downtown Harrisonburg. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Southbound Interstate 81 reaches Exit 251, Junction U.S. 11. Photo taken 06/06/04.
Now on the spur from Interstate 81 to U.S. 11, a left turn directs traffic onto southbound U.S. 11 into Harrisonburg and a right turn leads to northbound U.S. 11 en route to Lacey Spring. Photo taken 06/06/04.
