I pretty much know the route to take is I-75 but here's the deal. I have to drive a trailer from Florida back to Michigan this week and want to bypass Atlanta entirely. So I'm thinking of taking I-95 to I-26 to I-40 back to I-75 in Knoxville and then taking I-75 back to Michigan. I hate driving in Atlanta so I really want to bypass it.
Amusingly I prefer US 27 once you get to Ocala. It by far more entertaining than Florida's Turnpike and way less frustrating than I-75.
Atlanta isn’t that bad compared to other big cities. The perimeter is your friend.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:07:48 AM
Amusingly I prefer US 27 once you get to Ocala. It by far more entertaining than Florida's Turnpike and way less frustrating than I-75.
I know taking 95 through like Florida, Georgia and into South Carolina can be just as bad as 75. But I look at it this way Jacksonville isn't that hard to drive through and the only other major city would be Cincinnati.
Quote from: US 89 on April 25, 2021, 09:08:48 AM
Atlanta isn't that bad compared to other big cities. The perimeter is your friend.
I've driven in Atlanta enough. It's one of the worst cities to drive through regardless of the perimeter being there.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:24:10 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:07:48 AM
Amusingly I prefer US 27 once you get to Ocala. It by far more entertaining than Florida's Turnpike and way less frustrating than I-75.
I know taking 95 through like Florida, Georgia and into South Carolina can be just as bad as 75. But I look at it this way Jacksonville isn't that hard to drive through and the only other major city would be Cincinnati.
Given I was a Florida resident (Spring Hill and Orlando) at one point there it got to the point where I would start explore alternate ways to get to Miami. US 27 was by far the most efficient choice given it is a four lane expressway in the entire state. I particularly like the segment from Lake Wales south to Miami given it takes you through the Orange Island sand hills, Lake Okeechobee and a more interesting part of the Everglades than Alligator Alley. The Turnpike is what you are looking for though if speed is what you want, I want to say it will cost about $20 dollars now?
If you were passing through the Jacksonville area–specifically, Lake Asbury–what would you consider the best way to connect to US-27? I'm pondering the best route from Lake Asbury to Weston and US-27 between Orlando and Clewiston is one route we've never used (other than a small piece en route from Viera to Fort Myers back in 2005). The comments in this thread make me interested in the option.
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 25, 2021, 11:34:21 AM
If you were passing through the Jacksonville area–specifically, Lake Asbury–what would you consider the best way to connect to US-27? I'm pondering the best route from Lake Asbury to Weston and US-27 between Orlando and Clewiston is one route we've never used (other than a small piece en route from Viera to Fort Myers back in 2005). The comments in this thread make me interested in the option.
Probably US 17 to Palatka and FL 19 through Ocala National Forest to US 27. FL 19 through Ocala National Forest is a worthwhile scenic road IMO.
Thanks. Next time I'm at my PC I'll take a look to see how the time estimates work out. The last time we made the drive from Lake Asbury to Weston, I took US-17 south to DeLand and the commentary from the passenger seat about "a tour of Northern Florida's back roads" got considerably more abrasive once we were south of Palatka and the road narrowed to two lanes.
I just had no desire to take I-95 yet again, and another reason I don't want to do so this summer is that I-95 takes you right past Viera, which is where my wife's sister lived. She died last year (not of COVID) and my wife took it really hard, so I think it might be best to go a different way because of the emotional aspect for her.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:34:45 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:24:10 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:07:48 AM
Amusingly I prefer US 27 once you get to Ocala. It by far more entertaining than Florida's Turnpike and way less frustrating than I-75.
I know taking 95 through like Florida, Georgia and into South Carolina can be just as bad as 75. But I look at it this way Jacksonville isn't that hard to drive through and the only other major city would be Cincinnati.
Given I was a Florida resident (Spring Hill and Orlando) at one point there it got to the point where I would start explore alternate ways to get to Miami. US 27 was by far the most efficient choice given it is a four lane expressway in the entire state. I particularly like the segment from Lake Wales south to Miami given it takes you through the Orange Island sand hills, Lake Okeechobee and a more interesting part of the Everglades than Alligator Alley. The Turnpike is what you are looking for though if speed is what you want, I want to say it will cost about $20 dollars now?
Well the thing is I'm flying into Sanford and then have to ride to Kissimmee to pick up this trailer then I'm heading to Fort Myers, after Fort Myers I'm heading clear across the state to Lake Worth, then that's where I'm starting my route back to Michigan. So I was thinking that I-95 to I-26 to I-40 to I-75 was a good enough route and bypasses Atlanta. I'm just wondering about I-40 from basically Asheville west to past the Tennessee border because of the windy nature of the route through there. I was thinking of just telling my GPS to go to Spartanburg, SC then after Spartanburg to Saginaw where I have to drop this trailer off.
To go from Lake Asbury to Weston you'd take I-95. Weston is down in the Miami area.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:00:33 AM
I pretty much know the route to take is I-75 but here's the deal. I have to drive a trailer from Florida back to Michigan this week and want to bypass Atlanta entirely. So I'm thinking of taking I-95 to I-26 to I-40 back to I-75 in Knoxville and then taking I-75 back to Michigan. I hate driving in Atlanta so I really want to bypass it.
You are adding hundreds of miles to avoid Atlanta.
If you want to avoid the place that much, a better alternative would be:
I-95 NORTH to I-26 in rural South Carolina,
I-26 WEST to I-77 in Columbia, SC,
I-77 NORTH which eventually merges with I-64 at Beckley, WV, remain on I-64 when they split at Charleston, WV,
I-64 WEST to US 35 in Scott Depot, WV,
US 35 NORTH to the Ohio River where US 35 changes to E-W signage,
US 35 WEST to Chillicothe, OH, where US 35, US 50 and US 23 merge, remain on US 23 when they split,
US 23 NORTH to Columbus,
I-270 Columbus Beltway, or OH 315, back to US 23,
US 23 NORTH to OH 15 at Carry, OH,
OH 15 to I-75.
(or, for a slight variation, stay on I-77 at Charleston, then exit onto US 33 at Ravenswood, WV, the take US 33 to Columbus and return to the standard route, a bit more two lane, but less total non-interstate time.)
This route is actually about 45 miles shorter than the default one, although the drive time will be a little longer. It does involve 14 miles of two lane on US 35 in WV, and there are probably 10 to 15 stop lights on the US highway part in Ohio.
Quote from: SP Cook on April 25, 2021, 12:06:49 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:00:33 AM
I pretty much know the route to take is I-75 but here's the deal. I have to drive a trailer from Florida back to Michigan this week and want to bypass Atlanta entirely. So I'm thinking of taking I-95 to I-26 to I-40 back to I-75 in Knoxville and then taking I-75 back to Michigan. I hate driving in Atlanta so I really want to bypass it.
You are adding hundreds of miles to avoid Atlanta.
If you want to avoid the place that much, a better alternative would be:
I-95 NORTH to I-26 in rural South Carolina,
I-26 WEST to I-77 in Columbia, SC,
I-77 NORTH which eventually merges with I-64 at Beckley, WV, remain on I-64 when they split at Charleston, WV,
I-64 WEST to US 35 in Scott Depot, WV,
US 35 NORTH to the Ohio River where US 35 changes to E-W signage,
US 35 WEST to Chillicothe, OH, where US 35, US 50 and US 23 merge, remain on US 23 when they split,
US 23 NORTH to Columbus,
I-270 Columbus Beltway, or OH 315, back to US 23,
US 23 NORTH to OH 15 at Carry, OH,
OH 15 to I-75.
(or, for a slight variation, stay on I-77 at Charleston, then exit onto US 33 at Ravenswood, WV, the take US 33 to Columbus and return to the standard route, a bit more two lane, but less total non-interstate time.)
This route is actually about 45 miles shorter than the default one, although the drive time will be a little longer. It does involve 14 miles of two lane on US 35 in WV, and there are probably 10 to 15 stop lights on the US highway part in Ohio.
It only adds 22 miles and a half hour to avoid Atlanta going the route I suggested in my OP. Your suggestion of taking I-77 to US-33 to Columbus is actually a better route than I suggested but I don't know how long I want to be on a US highway over an Interstate.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 12:02:56 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:34:45 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:24:10 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:07:48 AM
Amusingly I prefer US 27 once you get to Ocala. It by far more entertaining than Florida's Turnpike and way less frustrating than I-75.
I know taking 95 through like Florida, Georgia and into South Carolina can be just as bad as 75. But I look at it this way Jacksonville isn't that hard to drive through and the only other major city would be Cincinnati.
Given I was a Florida resident (Spring Hill and Orlando) at one point there it got to the point where I would start explore alternate ways to get to Miami. US 27 was by far the most efficient choice given it is a four lane expressway in the entire state. I particularly like the segment from Lake Wales south to Miami given it takes you through the Orange Island sand hills, Lake Okeechobee and a more interesting part of the Everglades than Alligator Alley. The Turnpike is what you are looking for though if speed is what you want, I want to say it will cost about $20 dollars now?
Well the thing is I'm flying into Sanford and then have to ride to Kissimmee to pick up this trailer then I'm heading to Fort Myers, after Fort Myers I'm heading clear across the state to Lake Worth, then that's where I'm starting my route back to Michigan. So I was thinking that I-95 to I-26 to I-40 to I-75 was a good enough route and bypasses Atlanta. I'm just wondering about I-40 from basically Asheville west to past the Tennessee border because of the windy nature of the route through there. I was thinking of just telling my GPS to go to Spartanburg, SC then after Spartanburg to Saginaw where I have to drop this trailer off.
FWIW I worked for a race team out of Asheville when I was in high school. As much as I-40 had an advertised wind issue I never noticed it to be much of a problem once Spring hits. We certainly never had a race hauler divert off I-40 that I can recall for wind.
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 25, 2021, 11:59:55 AM
Thanks. Next time I'm at my PC I'll take a look to see how the time estimates work out. The last time we made the drive from Lake Asbury to Weston, I took US-17 south to DeLand and the commentary from the passenger seat about "a tour of Northern Florida's back roads" got considerably more abrasive once we were south of Palatka and the road narrowed to two lanes.
I just had no desire to take I-95 yet again, and another reason I don't want to do so this summer is that I-95 takes you right past Viera, which is where my wife's sister lived. She died last year (not of COVID) and my wife took it really hard, so I think it might be best to go a different way because of the emotional aspect for her.
Yeah Deland is awful to try to get through and the best thing to do is avoid it on US 17. Diverting to FL 19 will maintain that whole Florida backroad feel a whole lot more. US 27 south of Lake Wales really opens but yet still feels like a modern divided highway.
Yes. I second SP Cook's post. Just be sure to take 485 to the west around Charlotte. Construction on 77 through town. It's just a great bypass to boot.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 12:05:09 PM
To go from Lake Asbury to Weston you'd take I-95. Weston is down in the Miami area.
Duh!!! Obviously I know where Weston is, and my comments should have made it clear I've been there before. What part of "I don't want to take I-95" was unclear to you?
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 12:34:36 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 12:02:56 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:34:45 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:24:10 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:07:48 AM
Amusingly I prefer US 27 once you get to Ocala. It by far more entertaining than Florida's Turnpike and way less frustrating than I-75.
I know taking 95 through like Florida, Georgia and into South Carolina can be just as bad as 75. But I look at it this way Jacksonville isn't that hard to drive through and the only other major city would be Cincinnati.
Given I was a Florida resident (Spring Hill and Orlando) at one point there it got to the point where I would start explore alternate ways to get to Miami. US 27 was by far the most efficient choice given it is a four lane expressway in the entire state. I particularly like the segment from Lake Wales south to Miami given it takes you through the Orange Island sand hills, Lake Okeechobee and a more interesting part of the Everglades than Alligator Alley. The Turnpike is what you are looking for though if speed is what you want, I want to say it will cost about $20 dollars now?
Well the thing is I'm flying into Sanford and then have to ride to Kissimmee to pick up this trailer then I'm heading to Fort Myers, after Fort Myers I'm heading clear across the state to Lake Worth, then that's where I'm starting my route back to Michigan. So I was thinking that I-95 to I-26 to I-40 to I-75 was a good enough route and bypasses Atlanta. I'm just wondering about I-40 from basically Asheville west to past the Tennessee border because of the windy nature of the route through there. I was thinking of just telling my GPS to go to Spartanburg, SC then after Spartanburg to Saginaw where I have to drop this trailer off.
FWIW I worked for a race team out of Asheville when I was in high school. As much as I-40 had an advertised wind issue I never noticed it to be much of a problem once Spring hits. We certainly never had a race hauler divert off I-40 that I can recall for wind.
I kind of think now going up into West Virginia and using either US-33 or US-35 to get back to US-23 then I-75 makes some sense.
US-35 in Ohio is an excellent road. There's a very short slow segment in West Virginia where the two-lane road hasn't yet been replaced (a four-lane segment is under construction), but it's only about maybe 15 miles tops.
FWIW, coming north on I-95, I noticed a ton of Ohio plated cars in FL and GA. Assuming that they eventually took I-26 because it makes no sense to stay on I-95 north of there.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 12:34:36 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 12:02:56 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:34:45 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:24:10 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:07:48 AM
Amusingly I prefer US 27 once you get to Ocala. It by far more entertaining than Florida's Turnpike and way less frustrating than I-75.
I know taking 95 through like Florida, Georgia and into South Carolina can be just as bad as 75. But I look at it this way Jacksonville isn't that hard to drive through and the only other major city would be Cincinnati.
Given I was a Florida resident (Spring Hill and Orlando) at one point there it got to the point where I would start explore alternate ways to get to Miami. US 27 was by far the most efficient choice given it is a four lane expressway in the entire state. I particularly like the segment from Lake Wales south to Miami given it takes you through the Orange Island sand hills, Lake Okeechobee and a more interesting part of the Everglades than Alligator Alley. The Turnpike is what you are looking for though if speed is what you want, I want to say it will cost about $20 dollars now?
Well the thing is I'm flying into Sanford and then have to ride to Kissimmee to pick up this trailer then I'm heading to Fort Myers, after Fort Myers I'm heading clear across the state to Lake Worth, then that's where I'm starting my route back to Michigan. So I was thinking that I-95 to I-26 to I-40 to I-75 was a good enough route and bypasses Atlanta. I'm just wondering about I-40 from basically Asheville west to past the Tennessee border because of the windy nature of the route through there. I was thinking of just telling my GPS to go to Spartanburg, SC then after Spartanburg to Saginaw where I have to drop this trailer off.
FWIW I worked for a race team out of Asheville when I was in high school. As much as I-40 had an advertised wind issue I never noticed it to be much of a problem once Spring hits. We certainly never had a race hauler divert off I-40 that I can recall for wind.
I would say rock slides may be a bit more of a regular issue than the wind. I have been slowed down by rocks on the road two times near the NC/TN line.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 12:15:19 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on April 25, 2021, 12:06:49 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:00:33 AM
I pretty much know the route to take is I-75 but here's the deal. I have to drive a trailer from Florida back to Michigan this week and want to bypass Atlanta entirely. So I'm thinking of taking I-95 to I-26 to I-40 back to I-75 in Knoxville and then taking I-75 back to Michigan. I hate driving in Atlanta so I really want to bypass it.
You are adding hundreds of miles to avoid Atlanta.
If you want to avoid the place that much, a better alternative would be:
I-95 NORTH to I-26 in rural South Carolina,
I-26 WEST to I-77 in Columbia, SC,
I-77 NORTH which eventually merges with I-64 at Beckley, WV, remain on I-64 when they split at Charleston, WV,
I-64 WEST to US 35 in Scott Depot, WV,
US 35 NORTH to the Ohio River where US 35 changes to E-W signage,
US 35 WEST to Chillicothe, OH, where US 35, US 50 and US 23 merge, remain on US 23 when they split,
US 23 NORTH to Columbus,
I-270 Columbus Beltway, or OH 315, back to US 23,
US 23 NORTH to OH 15 at Carry, OH,
OH 15 to I-75.
(or, for a slight variation, stay on I-77 at Charleston, then exit onto US 33 at Ravenswood, WV, the take US 33 to Columbus and return to the standard route, a bit more two lane, but less total non-interstate time.)
This route is actually about 45 miles shorter than the default one, although the drive time will be a little longer. It does involve 14 miles of two lane on US 35 in WV, and there are probably 10 to 15 stop lights on the US highway part in Ohio.
It only adds 22 miles and a half hour to avoid Atlanta going the route I suggested in my OP. Your suggestion of taking I-77 to US-33 to Columbus is actually a better route than I suggested but I don't know how long I want to be on a US highway over an Interstate.
I've done this route before between FL and MI, wasn't bad 25 years ago. 33 was slow but lots a upgrades since. Took this route mostly because parents were living in SE Ohio at the time.
Quote from: fillup420 on April 25, 2021, 05:51:01 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 12:34:36 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 12:02:56 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:34:45 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:24:10 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:07:48 AM
Amusingly I prefer US 27 once you get to Ocala. It by far more entertaining than Florida's Turnpike and way less frustrating than I-75.
I know taking 95 through like Florida, Georgia and into South Carolina can be just as bad as 75. But I look at it this way Jacksonville isn't that hard to drive through and the only other major city would be Cincinnati.
Given I was a Florida resident (Spring Hill and Orlando) at one point there it got to the point where I would start explore alternate ways to get to Miami. US 27 was by far the most efficient choice given it is a four lane expressway in the entire state. I particularly like the segment from Lake Wales south to Miami given it takes you through the Orange Island sand hills, Lake Okeechobee and a more interesting part of the Everglades than Alligator Alley. The Turnpike is what you are looking for though if speed is what you want, I want to say it will cost about $20 dollars now?
Well the thing is I'm flying into Sanford and then have to ride to Kissimmee to pick up this trailer then I'm heading to Fort Myers, after Fort Myers I'm heading clear across the state to Lake Worth, then that's where I'm starting my route back to Michigan. So I was thinking that I-95 to I-26 to I-40 to I-75 was a good enough route and bypasses Atlanta. I'm just wondering about I-40 from basically Asheville west to past the Tennessee border because of the windy nature of the route through there. I was thinking of just telling my GPS to go to Spartanburg, SC then after Spartanburg to Saginaw where I have to drop this trailer off.
FWIW I worked for a race team out of Asheville when I was in high school. As much as I-40 had an advertised wind issue I never noticed it to be much of a problem once Spring hits. We certainly never had a race hauler divert off I-40 that I can recall for wind.
I would say rock slides may be a bit more of a regular issue than the wind. I have been slowed down by rocks on the road two times near the NC/TN line.
Are you sure he doesn't mean windy as in winding?
Quote from: 1 on April 25, 2021, 06:34:16 PM
Quote from: fillup420 on April 25, 2021, 05:51:01 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 12:34:36 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 12:02:56 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:34:45 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:24:10 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 25, 2021, 09:07:48 AM
Amusingly I prefer US 27 once you get to Ocala. It by far more entertaining than Florida's Turnpike and way less frustrating than I-75.
I know taking 95 through like Florida, Georgia and into South Carolina can be just as bad as 75. But I look at it this way Jacksonville isn't that hard to drive through and the only other major city would be Cincinnati.
Given I was a Florida resident (Spring Hill and Orlando) at one point there it got to the point where I would start explore alternate ways to get to Miami. US 27 was by far the most efficient choice given it is a four lane expressway in the entire state. I particularly like the segment from Lake Wales south to Miami given it takes you through the Orange Island sand hills, Lake Okeechobee and a more interesting part of the Everglades than Alligator Alley. The Turnpike is what you are looking for though if speed is what you want, I want to say it will cost about $20 dollars now?
Well the thing is I'm flying into Sanford and then have to ride to Kissimmee to pick up this trailer then I'm heading to Fort Myers, after Fort Myers I'm heading clear across the state to Lake Worth, then that's where I'm starting my route back to Michigan. So I was thinking that I-95 to I-26 to I-40 to I-75 was a good enough route and bypasses Atlanta. I'm just wondering about I-40 from basically Asheville west to past the Tennessee border because of the windy nature of the route through there. I was thinking of just telling my GPS to go to Spartanburg, SC then after Spartanburg to Saginaw where I have to drop this trailer off.
FWIW I worked for a race team out of Asheville when I was in high school. As much as I-40 had an advertised wind issue I never noticed it to be much of a problem once Spring hits. We certainly never had a race hauler divert off I-40 that I can recall for wind.
I would say rock slides may be a bit more of a regular issue than the wind. I have been slowed down by rocks on the road two times near the NC/TN line.
Are you sure he doesn't mean windy as in winding?
That is what I meant. I'm talking about all the curves that I-40 has there and was wondering if it was a good route to take with a trailer. Now though I'm thinking of taking I-95 to I-26 to I-77 to US-33 or US-35 haven't made up my mind there yet, then take that to Columbus and take US-23 to OH-15 to I-75, then of course get back off at I-475/US-23 then follow US-23 the rest of the way. If I took US-35 I'd meet up with US-23 in Chillicothe and then take that to Columbus.
Can you time your drive so you go through Atlanta early morning or late evening? I would think the benefit of hauling a trailer over the easier pass in the Appalachians that I-75 provides outweighs missing Atlanta but taking the much more challenging I-40.
Quote from: cabiness42 on April 26, 2021, 07:34:57 AM
Can you time your drive so you go through Atlanta early morning or late evening? I would think the benefit of hauling a trailer over the easier pass in the Appalachians that I-75 provides outweighs missing Atlanta but taking the much more challenging I-40.
Last time i drove through Atlanta was at 1AM and there was a decent slowdown at the southern 75/85 split, for no obvious reason. I feel your pain, OP. Atlanta for some reason is the worst city in the East to drive through.
Quote from: fillup420 on April 26, 2021, 03:33:59 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on April 26, 2021, 07:34:57 AM
Can you time your drive so you go through Atlanta early morning or late evening? I would think the benefit of hauling a trailer over the easier pass in the Appalachians that I-75 provides outweighs missing Atlanta but taking the much more challenging I-40.
Last time i drove through Atlanta was at 1AM and there was a decent slowdown at the southern 75/85 split, for no obvious reason. I feel your pain, OP. Atlanta for some reason is the worst city in the East to drive through.
Well Georgia is the Empire State of the South, and Atlanta is the New York of the South.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:00:33 AM
I pretty much know the route to take is I-75 but here's the deal. I have to drive a trailer from Florida back to Michigan this week and want to bypass Atlanta entirely. So I'm thinking of taking I-95 to I-26 to I-40 back to I-75 in Knoxville and then taking I-75 back to Michigan. I hate driving in Atlanta so I really want to bypass it.
If you're committed to a non-Atlanta route, you can still avoid I-40's mountainous section by using I-26 (Future I-26) from Asheville northwest into Tennessee and then use I-81 south to I-40.
Quote from: fillup420 on April 26, 2021, 03:33:59 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on April 26, 2021, 07:34:57 AM
Can you time your drive so you go through Atlanta early morning or late evening? I would think the benefit of hauling a trailer over the easier pass in the Appalachians that I-75 provides outweighs missing Atlanta but taking the much more challenging I-40.
Last time i drove through Atlanta was at 1AM and there was a decent slowdown at the southern 75/85 split, for no obvious reason. I feel your pain, OP. Atlanta for some reason is the worst city in the East to drive through.
If driving through Atlanta late at night, I would have used I-285 instead of going through on 75/85. (Of course, if it's during the daytime you're screwed anyway because all of those routes will have traffic.)
I had a neighbor who wintered in Florida, and he used I-26 (getting there from here via KY 15, US 119, and US 23 through SW Virginia) and I-95 to avoid Atlanta.
US 33 -- the only two-lane portion is from the Ohio River crossing over to Athens, and it's an improved route. From Athens on to Columbus is four lanes, much of it freeway.
Quote from: cabiness42 on April 26, 2021, 07:34:57 AM
Can you time your drive so you go through Atlanta early morning or late evening? I would think the benefit of hauling a trailer over the easier pass in the Appalachians that I-75 provides outweighs missing Atlanta but taking the much more challenging I-40.
I don't think I want to take I-40. I have taken I-77 from it's northern to southern terminus and back before and been ok going that way. Atlanta is one of those cities where even if the traffic isn't that bad it's still a dangerous city to drive in. I'd rather take my chances with Charlotte I think.
Quote from: hbelkins on April 26, 2021, 08:25:56 PM
I had a neighbor who wintered in Florida, and he used I-26 (getting there from here via KY 15, US 119, and US 23 through SW Virginia) and I-95 to avoid Atlanta.
US 33 -- the only two-lane portion is from the Ohio River crossing over to Athens, and it's an improved route. From Athens on to Columbus is four lanes, much of it freeway.
I've been on US-33 in SW Ohio before and think that's a real good route to take. I'm just debating whether to take that or US 35 pretty much. I'm also bored of I-75.
Quote from: SP Cook on April 25, 2021, 12:06:49 PM
You are adding hundreds of miles to avoid Atlanta.
If you want to avoid the place that much, a better alternative would be:
I-95 NORTH to I-26 in rural South Carolina,
I-26 WEST to I-77 in Columbia, SC,
I-77 NORTH which eventually merges with I-64 at Beckley, WV, remain on I-64 when they split at Charleston, WV,
This route makes much more sense than taking I-40 to Knoxville to get back on I-75. For one, you would be backtracking a bit to get to Knoxville. Second, Knoxville can be almost (for a broad definition of "almost") as bad as Atlanta as far as traffic since there is no good alternative route around the city. Be aware that I-95 in South Carolina and I-26 from I-95 almost to Columbia are two lanes. Depending on the timing, either or both roads can be parking lots if traffic is heavy -- or it can be a series of 75 MPH/10 MPH/60 MPH/STOPPED clumps of movement. And as someone else said, take I-485 West around Charlotte. I-77 up the middle is at times an adventure, especially with construction.
Bruce in Blacksburg (who traveled these routes back and forth between SWVA and Tampa for 5 years)
Quote from: VPIGoose on April 27, 2021, 09:08:38 AM
Quote from: SP Cook on April 25, 2021, 12:06:49 PM
You are adding hundreds of miles to avoid Atlanta.
If you want to avoid the place that much, a better alternative would be:
I-95 NORTH to I-26 in rural South Carolina,
I-26 WEST to I-77 in Columbia, SC,
I-77 NORTH which eventually merges with I-64 at Beckley, WV, remain on I-64 when they split at Charleston, WV,
This route makes much more sense than taking I-40 to Knoxville to get back on I-75. For one, you would be backtracking a bit to get to Knoxville. Second, Knoxville can be almost (for a broad definition of "almost") as bad as Atlanta as far as traffic since there is no good alternative route around the city. Be aware that I-95 in South Carolina and I-26 from I-95 almost to Columbia are two lanes. Depending on the timing, either or both roads can be parking lots if traffic is heavy -- or it can be a series of 75 MPH/10 MPH/60 MPH/STOPPED clumps of movement. And as someone else said, take I-485 West around Charlotte. I-77 up the middle is at times an adventure, especially with construction.
Related to this, I've frequently experienced slowdowns and heavy traffic near Port Wentworth, Georgia, due to I-95 narrowing when it crosses the state line just north of there. Under normal circumstances it's more of an annoyance than a huge problem (except maybe around summer weekends when beach traffic causes higher traffic volume), but it's something to be prepared for when towing a trailer because of importance of being prepared to stop with different vehicle dynamics than you're probably used to.
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 25, 2021, 03:04:09 PM
US-35 in Ohio is an excellent road. There's a very short slow segment in West Virginia where the two-lane road hasn't yet been replaced (a four-lane segment is under construction), but it's only about maybe 15 miles tops.
Well, that segment wasn't hard to identify. It must be right around
here (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6341313,-81.9779665,3a,75y,359.81h,78.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sw0fRGNBi5F_Cr0DAmAPdNQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1).
I would second your comment about US 35 in Ohio. The portion from Chillicothe to I-71 was great, possibly even one of my favorite freeways. I was really glad to have chosen that route instead of staying on OH 56, even though doing so cost me a clinch of Madison County.
Quote from: webny99 on April 27, 2021, 09:31:50 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 25, 2021, 03:04:09 PM
US-35 in Ohio is an excellent road. There's a very short slow segment in West Virginia where the two-lane road hasn't yet been replaced (a four-lane segment is under construction), but it's only about maybe 15 miles tops.
Well, that segment wasn't hard to identify. It must be right around here (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6341313,-81.9779665,3a,75y,359.81h,78.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sw0fRGNBi5F_Cr0DAmAPdNQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1).
Full two-lane segment shown here. (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.5797238,-82.0074003/38.7651247,-82.0029637/@38.7062178,-82.0952916,11.75z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0) Not at all hard to figure out even in standard map view given how the southern end of that segment hooks around similar to the same way the road does at the end of Corridor H's western segment. This piece of US-35 really didn't slow us down all that much at all, though conceivably it could if you got stuck behind a particularly slow truck or similar. There was enough traffic that I didn't see many chances to pass. As I type this, it's quoting 25 minutes to drive the 14.1 miles due to a crash.
Quote from: webny99 on April 27, 2021, 09:31:50 AM
I would second your comment about US 35 in Ohio. The portion from Chillicothe to I-71 was great, possibly even one of my favorite freeways. I was really glad to have chosen that route instead of staying on OH 56, even though doing so cost me a clinch of Madison County.
We were headed to Dayton for a funeral and I took Corridor H to I-79 southwest to Charleston, continuing on I-64 to US-35 all the way to the Dayton area. Excellent route, other than a few annoying traffic lights and road construction just east of Dayton. I would go that way again. The 70-mph speed limit on several portions of US-35 in Ohio was very nice as well. Both US highways I've used in Ohio for long stretches (US-35 there, and US-30 a few days later from I-75 across to Canton) were largely very pleasant, relaxed, easy drives.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 12:15:19 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on April 25, 2021, 12:06:49 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:00:33 AM
I pretty much know the route to take is I-75 but here's the deal. I have to drive a trailer from Florida back to Michigan this week and want to bypass Atlanta entirely. So I'm thinking of taking I-95 to I-26 to I-40 back to I-75 in Knoxville and then taking I-75 back to Michigan. I hate driving in Atlanta so I really want to bypass it.
You are adding hundreds of miles to avoid Atlanta.
If you want to avoid the place that much, a better alternative would be:
I-95 NORTH to I-26 in rural South Carolina,
I-26 WEST to I-77 in Columbia, SC,
I-77 NORTH which eventually merges with I-64 at Beckley, WV, remain on I-64 when they split at Charleston, WV,
I-64 WEST to US 35 in Scott Depot, WV,
US 35 NORTH to the Ohio River where US 35 changes to E-W signage,
US 35 WEST to Chillicothe, OH, where US 35, US 50 and US 23 merge, remain on US 23 when they split,
US 23 NORTH to Columbus,
I-270 Columbus Beltway, or OH 315, back to US 23,
US 23 NORTH to OH 15 at Carry, OH,
OH 15 to I-75.
(or, for a slight variation, stay on I-77 at Charleston, then exit onto US 33 at Ravenswood, WV, the take US 33 to Columbus and return to the standard route, a bit more two lane, but less total non-interstate time.)
This route is actually about 45 miles shorter than the default one, although the drive time will be a little longer. It does involve 14 miles of two lane on US 35 in WV, and there are probably 10 to 15 stop lights on the US highway part in Ohio.
It only adds 22 miles and a half hour to avoid Atlanta going the route I suggested in my OP. Your suggestion of taking I-77 to US-33 to Columbus is actually a better route than I suggested but I don't know how long I want to be on a US highway over an Interstate.
Another variant of this would be to take I-95 to I-26 to I-77 as described above, but stay on I-64 west until you reach KY 9 (AA Highway), then take that northwest to US 27, which leads to I-471, and continue north on I-471 to I-71 south through Downtown Cincinnati, then pick up I-75 north. Or if you want to avoid the Mill Creek construction area altogether (and what's the status on that anyway?), you can take I-71 north instead to I-275 west and use that to get to I-75.
Quote from: VTGoose on April 27, 2021, 09:08:38 AM
Depending on the timing, either or both roads can be parking lots if traffic is heavy -- or it can be a series of 75 MPH/10 MPH/60 MPH/STOPPED clumps of movement. And as someone else said, take I-485 West around Charlotte. I-77 up the middle is at times an adventure, especially with construction.
Have experienced the hell of I-95 in South Carolina and North Carolina during peak weekends firsthand. Nothing but heavy traffic and maybe a maximum sustained speed of 55 - 60 mph with the occasional 65 mph or even 70 mph if you get lucky. And the continuous stopping and going every few minutes. For miles. Hundreds of miles.
Meanwhile, 6 lanes in Georgia easily moves 75 - 80 mph or greater, even at its peak.
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 27, 2021, 10:40:59 AM
Quote from: VTGoose on April 27, 2021, 09:08:38 AM
Depending on the timing, either or both roads can be parking lots if traffic is heavy -- or it can be a series of 75 MPH/10 MPH/60 MPH/STOPPED clumps of movement. And as someone else said, take I-485 West around Charlotte. I-77 up the middle is at times an adventure, especially with construction.
Have experienced the hell of I-95 in South Carolina and North Carolina during peak weekends firsthand. Nothing but heavy traffic and maybe a maximum sustained speed of 55 - 60 mph with the occasional 65 mph or even 70 mph if you get lucky. And the continuous stopping and going every few minutes. For miles. Hundreds of miles.
Meanwhile, 6 lanes in Georgia easily moves 75 - 80 mph or greater, even at its peak.
That 3rd lane makes a huge difference - the most recent time I was on I-95, traffic was stop-and-go past I-26 and crawled over the Savannah River right up to the point where the 3rd lane opened, then instantly it was free-flowing.
BTW, for the OP, if you do take I-95, watch your speed through Ridgeland, South Carolina, assuming traffic volume doesn't reduce your speed for you. The section of I-95 within town limits is a notorious speedtrap. The speed camera they used to operate is long gone (the State made them remove it), but I've seen as many as six town patrol cars parked along the road at a single time with another cop standing on an overpass running radar and radioing ahead to tell them which cars to nail. My routine now is to set the cruise control at 68 mph through Ridgeland (speed limit is 70; I set the cruise a tad low just to allow for possible speedometer error) and I've never had a problem.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 12:15:19 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on April 25, 2021, 12:06:49 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 25, 2021, 09:00:33 AM
I pretty much know the route to take is I-75 but here's the deal. I have to drive a trailer from Florida back to Michigan this week and want to bypass Atlanta entirely. So I'm thinking of taking I-95 to I-26 to I-40 back to I-75 in Knoxville and then taking I-75 back to Michigan. I hate driving in Atlanta so I really want to bypass it.
You are adding hundreds of miles to avoid Atlanta.
If you want to avoid the place that much, a better alternative would be:
I-95 NORTH to I-26 in rural South Carolina,
I-26 WEST to I-77 in Columbia, SC,
I-77 NORTH which eventually merges with I-64 at Beckley, WV, remain on I-64 when they split at Charleston, WV,
I-64 WEST to US 35 in Scott Depot, WV,
US 35 NORTH to the Ohio River where US 35 changes to E-W signage,
US 35 WEST to Chillicothe, OH, where US 35, US 50 and US 23 merge, remain on US 23 when they split,
US 23 NORTH to Columbus,
I-270 Columbus Beltway, or OH 315, back to US 23,
US 23 NORTH to OH 15 at Carry, OH,
OH 15 to I-75.
(or, for a slight variation, stay on I-77 at Charleston, then exit onto US 33 at Ravenswood, WV, the take US 33 to Columbus and return to the standard route, a bit more two lane, but less total non-interstate time.)
This route is actually about 45 miles shorter than the default one, although the drive time will be a little longer. It does involve 14 miles of two lane on US 35 in WV, and there are probably 10 to 15 stop lights on the US highway part in Ohio.
It only adds 22 miles and a half hour to avoid Atlanta going the route I suggested in my OP. Your suggestion of taking I-77 to US-33 to Columbus is actually a better route than I suggested but I don't know how long I want to be on a US highway over an Interstate.
I like SP Cook's idea but if you want to stay on interstates more, maybe keep going up I-77 all the way to the Ohio turnpike and then west to Toledo and then into Michigan? Just throwing it out there. Might not be the most efficient and you also would have to go on a toll road with a trailer so your cost would be more.
EDIT: I forgot about the WV turnpike so I guess if you choose this route you're already going on a toll road.
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 27, 2021, 10:40:59 AM
Quote from: VTGoose on April 27, 2021, 09:08:38 AM
Depending on the timing, either or both roads can be parking lots if traffic is heavy -- or it can be a series of 75 MPH/10 MPH/60 MPH/STOPPED clumps of movement. And as someone else said, take I-485 West around Charlotte. I-77 up the middle is at times an adventure, especially with construction.
Have experienced the hell of I-95 in South Carolina and North Carolina during peak weekends firsthand. Nothing but heavy traffic and maybe a maximum sustained speed of 55 - 60 mph with the occasional 65 mph or even 70 mph if you get lucky. And the continuous stopping and going every few minutes. For miles. Hundreds of miles.
Meanwhile, 6 lanes in Georgia easily moves 75 - 80 mph or greater, even at its peak.
The need to widen I-95 in South Carolina from the Georgia line to at least the I-26 junction (with an improvement to the northbound I-95 to westbound I-26 connection) has been discussed in the South Carolina thread a number of times but some members point to traffic volume numbers and claim no such widening is needed just to handle occasional traffic spikes.
Quote from: VTGoose on April 27, 2021, 11:01:52 PM
but some members point to traffic volume numbers and claim no such widening is needed just to handle occasional traffic spikes.
Heard those arguments, but have to strongly disagree.
Georgia has set a precedent for both I-75 and I-95 that need to be followed in other states along those respective corridors.
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 27, 2021, 11:29:28 PM
Quote from: VTGoose on April 27, 2021, 11:01:52 PM
but some members point to traffic volume numbers and claim no such widening is needed just to handle occasional traffic spikes.
Heard those arguments, but have to strongly disagree.
Georgia has set a precedent for both I-75 and I-95 that need to be followed in other states along those respective corridors.
Honestly I would have to agree that Georgia is where I-75 is at it's very best. I've gone through Georgia plenty of times going back and forth between Michigan and Florida and love how it's setup other than Atlanta but even there when it's concurrent with I-85 it's a nice freeway.
I also kind of want a more interesting route as well. I'm bored of I-75 I've seen just about everything between Michigan and Florida the multiple times I've clinched it. And I'm planning on going to Cincinnati next week again. I'm pretty crazy so I'd probably push my luck on one of those old US routes.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 27, 2021, 11:42:05 PM
I also kind of want a more interesting route as well. I'm bored of I-75 I've seen just about everything between Michigan and Florida the multiple times I've clinched it. And I'm planning on going to Cincinnati next week again. I'm pretty crazy so I'd probably push my luck on one of those old US routes.
Some of the US routes that have been mentioned in this thread are very high-quality roads, particularly US-33 and US-35 in Ohio.
Don't think I've seen anyone mention this yet...
It is of course 1-2 hr longer but what about Fla Tpk, I-75, I-10, US 231 to I-65 to Indianapolis then whatever highway gets you to the part of Michigan you are going to?
Benefits of avoiding Atlanta, Columbia SC or Charlotte and also Cincinnati. Also avoids any actual mountains. Picks up Birmingham, Nashville and Louisville instead...
Driving a truck and trailer up I-75 in Northern Georgia can be harrowing this of year; it won't be quite so bad using the West Virginia route but the mountains will seem never-ending and the downgrades can be difficult for someone who is fairly new to handling a trailer in traffic.
I can't imagine that you would prefer I-95 traffic in Georgia and South Carolina over the Atlanta traffic on the I-285 Perimeter. You didn't mention where in Michigan, so perhaps I can propose a route much further west. How about US-82 -to- US-280 -to- US-31 from Tifton to Birmingham and use I-65 to get north? It will add a bunch of time to the trip, and you won't completely avoid the mountains. I'm not sure if Birmingham/Nashville/Louisville/Indianapolis is much better than Atlanta/Knoxville/Cincinnati/Dayton in the grander scheme of things, but you avoid Atlanta and I-95 this way. 22h40m Miami to Detroit, or 22h30m Miami to Grand Rapids.
The GPS will show you that it's 20 minutes faster to get to Birmingham via Atlanta. Ouch!
Quote from: Mapmikey on April 28, 2021, 08:59:54 AM
Don't think I've seen anyone mention this yet...
It is of course 1-2 hr longer but what about Fla Tpk, I-75, I-10, US 231 to I-65 to Indianapolis then whatever highway gets you to the part of Michigan you are going to?
Benefits of avoiding Atlanta, Columbia SC or Charlotte and also Cincinnati. Also avoids any actual mountains. Picks up Birmingham, Nashville and Louisville instead...
I actually prefer taking I-75 to GA 520 to US 280 as opposed to I-10 & US 231. All of that is 4 lanes with a 65 MPH speed limit outside of the towns. I also probably gone through Montgomery and Dothan a few too many times.
US 27 from Tallahassee to Columbus is 4 lanes with very few slowdown and little traffic.
What is US 82 like between Tifton and Montgomery?
Then from Louisville you could decide to go via Cincinnati and Toledo, or Indy, Ft Wayne and Lansing.
Quote from: GaryV on April 28, 2021, 09:50:03 AM
What is US 82 like between Tifton and Montgomery?
Then from Louisville you could decide to go via Cincinnati and Toledo, or Indy, Ft Wayne and Lansing.
I recall it mostly being a two-lane road, at least in Alabama. US-231 would likely be a better option for someone towing a trailer.
I already started. I took I-95 up to I-26 and then to I-77 I'm about 60 miles south of Charlotte right now. I-95 was ok not great but there was a lot of traffic. I think I-26 was the worst though with miles of left lane hogging by everyone. So far I-77 has been pretty good. I'm thinking of taking this up to US-33 then over to Columbus.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 28, 2021, 05:21:04 PM
I already started. I took I-95 up to I-26 and then to I-77 I'm about 60 miles south of Charlotte right now. I-95 was ok not great but there was a lot of traffic. I think I-26 was the worst though with miles of left lane hogging by everyone. So far I-77 has been pretty good. I'm thinking of taking this up to US-33 then over to Columbus.
Welcome to South Carolina.
Quote from: cowboy_wilhelm on April 28, 2021, 06:19:29 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 28, 2021, 05:21:04 PM
I already started. I took I-95 up to I-26 and then to I-77 I'm about 60 miles south of Charlotte right now. I-95 was ok not great but there was a lot of traffic. I think I-26 was the worst though with miles of left lane hogging by everyone. So far I-77 has been pretty good. I'm thinking of taking this up to US-33 then over to Columbus.
Welcome to South Carolina.
More accurately, South of the Border ;)
Quote from: Mapmikey on April 28, 2021, 08:59:54 AM
Don't think I've seen anyone mention this yet...
It is of course 1-2 hr longer but what about Fla Tpk, I-75, I-10, US 231 to I-65 to Indianapolis then whatever highway gets you to the part of Michigan you are going to?
Benefits of avoiding Atlanta, Columbia SC or Charlotte and also Cincinnati. Also avoids any actual mountains. Picks up Birmingham, Nashville and Louisville instead...
The benefit is in avoiding Louisville, not seeking it out.
Be aware that the Brent Spence Bridge is now down to just one lane after an incident last week where a vehicle hit the paint containment netting and knocked an employee off the platform (he's OK, thankfully).
Ok US-33 vs. US-35 coming from I-77 going back to Michigan which route would be the better route? I've been on 33 for stretches in Virginia but I don't know much about it west of I-77. I know 35 is a good route in Ohio but not aware of how it is towards it's southern terminus.
I took I-77 up through Charlotte and there was about a 10 minute delay just north of I-485 on the south side of it. Google Maps still routed me through it and not onto I-485 around the west side of Charlotte. I was wondering why but 77 was ok after the 10 minute delay and had a few pockets of slowdowns through Charlotte but wasn't too bad. I'm in Statesville right now spending the night. I spent two days driving around South Florida as well.
Quote from: hbelkins on April 28, 2021, 07:40:28 PM
Quote from: Mapmikey on April 28, 2021, 08:59:54 AM
Don't think I've seen anyone mention this yet...
It is of course 1-2 hr longer but what about Fla Tpk, I-75, I-10, US 231 to I-65 to Indianapolis then whatever highway gets you to the part of Michigan you are going to?
Benefits of avoiding Atlanta, Columbia SC or Charlotte and also Cincinnati. Also avoids any actual mountains. Picks up Birmingham, Nashville and Louisville instead...
The benefit is in avoiding Louisville, not seeking it out.
Be aware that the Brent Spence Bridge is now down to just one lane after an incident last week where a vehicle hit the paint containment netting and knocked an employee off the platform (he's OK, thankfully).
I now have Cincinnati bypassed as well and won't be going through there. I'll be going through Columbus instead and I'm ok with that. Last time I drove through Columbus was on a Friday and the traffic was fine for the most part that night.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 28, 2021, 08:39:41 PM
Ok US-33 vs. US-35 coming from I-77 going back to Michigan which route would be the better route? I've been on 33 for stretches in Virginia but I don't know much about it west of I-77. I know 35 is a good route in Ohio but not aware of how it is towards it's southern terminus.
US-35 has about 15 miles of two-lane road near its southern end in West Virginia and then it's four-lane divided highway, with speed limits varying from 60 mph to 70 mph, all the way to just east of Dayton. Very good road. The short segment of two-land road should not pose a problem.
I've used US-33 between Columbus and Athens (connecting to US-50 on our way back east), but that was in October 2012 so my experience may no longer be valid. I know they finished the Nelsonville bypass, so I suspect the road is better now than it was then.
Quote from: GaryV on April 28, 2021, 09:50:03 AM
What is US 82 like between Tifton and Montgomery?
Then from Louisville you could decide to go via Cincinnati and Toledo, or Indy, Ft Wayne and Lansing.
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 28, 2021, 11:44:27 AM
I recall it mostly being a two-lane road, at least in Alabama. US-231 would likely be a better option for someone towing a trailer.
It's a straight shot from Albany to Columbus, but the main road has several numbers. You'll take US-82 from Tifton to Albany, then US-82 hops onto the northeast section of the Albany Bypass (Liberty Expressway). At Dawson, the main road turns into GA-520. At Richland, US-280 hops on the main road (now Richland Bypass). Stay on US-280 and you won't run out of partially limited access highway until just before you get to Opelika, Alabama. The bypass takes US-280 onto the I-85 southbound for a short piece, and then you'll fight traffic lights on the west side of Opelika for a few miles before you hit the Birmingham Highway (still US-280) which will take you partially limited access all the way, except for several short stretches of four-lane undivided around Dadeville, Childersburg and Harpersville. US-280 can be a mess getting close to Birmingham, but you'll probably make it in about the same time as going I-75 to I-20 unless you hit the Perimeter on a perfect day (or night).
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 28, 2021, 08:43:13 PM
I took I-77 up through Charlotte and there was about a 10 minute delay just north of I-485 on the south side of it. Google Maps still routed me through it and not onto I-485 around the west side of Charlotte. I was wondering why but 77 was ok after the 10 minute delay and had a few pockets of slowdowns through Charlotte but wasn't too bad. I'm in Statesville right now spending the night. I spent two days driving around South Florida as well.
A 10-minute delay is actually quite good for Charlotte -- sometimes the delay can stretch much longer. Glad you didn't have any other issues on I-77 through the city. Depending on the time of day, phase of the moon, the way the wind is blowing, and who knows what else travel can be easy or harrowing. The big difference between 77 and 485 is the number of lanes and better exits -- some of the on- and off-ramps on 77 are short and/or close together and people tend to weave across lanes at the last minute to hit an exit ramp.
As to I-26, it too is a major pain. In all our travels up and down it, some trips just outright sucked (same for I-95) in South Carolina. It was almost impossible to stay in the right lane due to those traveling under the speed limit and it was a problem to run in the left lane, even at 75-78 MPH because of the people who thought no one should get in their way of traveling in excess of 85 MPH. Sorry, but I'm not going to move right and lock up my brakes to slow to 55 just to make your life easier -- I'll move when there is appropriate room in the right lane.
When you are on I-77 not too far into West Virginia and pass the exit for WV 112, wave toward your passenger window and I'll be sure to wave back from over several ridges at home in Blacksburg.
Bruce in Blacksburg
The two-lane section of US 33 in Ohio is better than the two-lane section of US 35 in West Virginia.
My personal preference would be to avoid I-75, so that would mean switching from US 35 to US 23 at Chillicothe and taking OH 315 north to reconnect with 23 on the north side of Columbus (if I used that route) or probably the eastern loop of I-270 from US 33 to US 23 north if I used US 33.
Quote from: hbelkins on April 29, 2021, 06:01:16 PM
The two-lane section of US 33 in Ohio is better than the two-lane section of US 35 in West Virginia.
My personal preference would be to avoid I-75, so that would mean switching from US 35 to US 23 at Chillicothe and taking OH 315 north to reconnect with 23 on the north side of Columbus (if I used that route) or probably the eastern loop of I-270 from US 33 to US 23 north if I used US 33.
I ended up taking US-35. It was fine as it's a freeway for it's first few miles in West Virginia and then the two lane stretch I got stuck behind a semi that was doing about 55 but I really didn't mind it and just set my cruise for 53. After I entered Ohio there was a speed trap where two Ohio state boys were sitting there waiting for someone to fly over the bridge and go nail them. I can't remember off the top of my head what the speed limit is there but I was just going with the flow and it was fine. That's basically what I did after Chillicothe I took US-23 up to Columbus then took OH-315 through Columbus and actually reconnected with US-23 at OH-315's northern terminus south of Delaware.
Quote from: VTGoose on April 29, 2021, 05:02:52 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 28, 2021, 08:43:13 PM
I took I-77 up through Charlotte and there was about a 10 minute delay just north of I-485 on the south side of it. Google Maps still routed me through it and not onto I-485 around the west side of Charlotte. I was wondering why but 77 was ok after the 10 minute delay and had a few pockets of slowdowns through Charlotte but wasn't too bad. I'm in Statesville right now spending the night. I spent two days driving around South Florida as well.
A 10-minute delay is actually quite good for Charlotte -- sometimes the delay can stretch much longer. Glad you didn't have any other issues on I-77 through the city. Depending on the time of day, phase of the moon, the way the wind is blowing, and who knows what else travel can be easy or harrowing. The big difference between 77 and 485 is the number of lanes and better exits -- some of the on- and off-ramps on 77 are short and/or close together and people tend to weave across lanes at the last minute to hit an exit ramp.
As to I-26, it too is a major pain. In all our travels up and down it, some trips just outright sucked (same for I-95) in South Carolina. It was almost impossible to stay in the right lane due to those traveling under the speed limit and it was a problem to run in the left lane, even at 75-78 MPH because of the people who thought no one should get in their way of traveling in excess of 85 MPH. Sorry, but I'm not going to move right and lock up my brakes to slow to 55 just to make your life easier -- I'll move when there is appropriate room in the right lane.
When you are on I-77 not too far into West Virginia and pass the exit for WV 112, wave toward your passenger window and I'll be sure to wave back from over several ridges at home in Blacksburg.
Bruce in Blacksburg
I thought it was pretty decent for how big Charlotte is and how much traffic there is going through there. I think going through downtown is bad because of those exits and entrances like you mentioned and I kept thinking it would route me onto I-485 but it never did. The only time I had a reroute on the entire trip was in Ohio and Michigan I had to take I-75 into Michigan when I'd normally take US-23 and took I-75 up to I-275 then to I-96 to get back to US-23 because of an accident in Michigan on 23.
I know what you are talking about with I-26 I dealt with that. The first few miles were fine coming off I-95 but then trucks kept clogging the left and right lanes and it was like why don't you just pass and get back in the right lane how hard is it? I kept thinking that and they'd be doing anywhere between about 55-65 mph I had my cruise set at 75 and couldn't even manage to do that speed it was ridiculous. I thought coming off 95 that 26 would be a little less stress but it wasn't and it's just crazy how these highways are clogged up with truck traffic that don't know how to drive.
LOL I'm waving a hand to ya as I drove by.
Sometimes with the trucks, your only reasonable option is to pass on the right when they sit in the left lane crawling up to eventually pass another truck on the right a whole mile ahead. I don't like weaving in and out, but sometimes it's the only option to get around continuously slow trucks and cars who want to drive the speed limit or below in the left lane and there's ample open space to the right.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 29, 2021, 09:09:49 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 29, 2021, 06:01:16 PM
The two-lane section of US 33 in Ohio is better than the two-lane section of US 35 in West Virginia.
My personal preference would be to avoid I-75, so that would mean switching from US 35 to US 23 at Chillicothe and taking OH 315 north to reconnect with 23 on the north side of Columbus (if I used that route) or probably the eastern loop of I-270 from US 33 to US 23 north if I used US 33.
I ended up taking US-35. It was fine as it's a freeway for it's first few miles in West Virginia and then the two lane stretch I got stuck behind a semi that was doing about 55 but I really didn't mind it and just set my cruise for 53. After I entered Ohio there was a speed trap where two Ohio state boys were sitting there waiting for someone to fly over the bridge and go nail them. I can't remember off the top of my head what the speed limit is there but I was just going with the flow and it was fine. That's basically what I did after Chillicothe I took US-23 up to Columbus then took OH-315 through Columbus and actually reconnected with US-23 at OH-315's northern terminus south of Delaware.
If it's right after the bridge from West Virginia to Ohio, there's a "Speed Limit 70" sign right after the first exit in Ohio. I'm not sure whether technically it may be 65 prior to that sign, as the speed limit in West Virginia up to the bridge is 65.
Quote from: sprjus4 on April 29, 2021, 10:37:44 PM
Sometimes with the trucks, your only reasonable option is to pass on the right when they sit in the left lane crawling up to eventually pass another truck on the right a whole mile ahead. I don't like weaving in and out, but sometimes it's the only option to get around continuously slow trucks and cars who want to drive the speed limit or below in the left lane and there's ample open space to the right.
What I do is I'll ride in the lane that has the farthest vehicle ahead of me so like if there is a car right ahead of me I'll switch to the lane with the biggest gap in cars. I don't like driving below the speed limit and most of the time like driving about 5 to 10 mph over the speed limit and I never have a problem with the cops or anything.
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 30, 2021, 07:42:54 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 29, 2021, 09:09:49 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 29, 2021, 06:01:16 PM
The two-lane section of US 33 in Ohio is better than the two-lane section of US 35 in West Virginia.
My personal preference would be to avoid I-75, so that would mean switching from US 35 to US 23 at Chillicothe and taking OH 315 north to reconnect with 23 on the north side of Columbus (if I used that route) or probably the eastern loop of I-270 from US 33 to US 23 north if I used US 33.
I ended up taking US-35. It was fine as it's a freeway for it's first few miles in West Virginia and then the two lane stretch I got stuck behind a semi that was doing about 55 but I really didn't mind it and just set my cruise for 53. After I entered Ohio there was a speed trap where two Ohio state boys were sitting there waiting for someone to fly over the bridge and go nail them. I can't remember off the top of my head what the speed limit is there but I was just going with the flow and it was fine. That's basically what I did after Chillicothe I took US-23 up to Columbus then took OH-315 through Columbus and actually reconnected with US-23 at OH-315's northern terminus south of Delaware.
If it's right after the bridge from West Virginia to Ohio, there's a "Speed Limit 70" sign right after the first exit in Ohio. I'm not sure whether technically it may be 65 prior to that sign, as the speed limit in West Virginia up to the bridge is 65.
That's strange that they'd have a speed trap where the speed limit increases. Seems like it'd be the other way around. I remember it starts out at 65 mph then drops to 55 mph for the two lane stretch.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 30, 2021, 07:48:51 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 30, 2021, 07:42:54 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 29, 2021, 09:09:49 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 29, 2021, 06:01:16 PM
The two-lane section of US 33 in Ohio is better than the two-lane section of US 35 in West Virginia.
My personal preference would be to avoid I-75, so that would mean switching from US 35 to US 23 at Chillicothe and taking OH 315 north to reconnect with 23 on the north side of Columbus (if I used that route) or probably the eastern loop of I-270 from US 33 to US 23 north if I used US 33.
I ended up taking US-35. It was fine as it's a freeway for it's first few miles in West Virginia and then the two lane stretch I got stuck behind a semi that was doing about 55 but I really didn't mind it and just set my cruise for 53. After I entered Ohio there was a speed trap where two Ohio state boys were sitting there waiting for someone to fly over the bridge and go nail them. I can't remember off the top of my head what the speed limit is there but I was just going with the flow and it was fine. That's basically what I did after Chillicothe I took US-23 up to Columbus then took OH-315 through Columbus and actually reconnected with US-23 at OH-315's northern terminus south of Delaware.
If it's right after the bridge from West Virginia to Ohio, there's a "Speed Limit 70" sign right after the first exit in Ohio. I'm not sure whether technically it may be 65 prior to that sign, as the speed limit in West Virginia up to the bridge is 65.
That's strange that they'd have a speed trap where the speed limit increases. Seems like it'd be the other way around. I remember it starts out at 65 mph then drops to 55 mph for the two lane stretch.
Right, it starts as 65, drops to 55 for the two-lane stretch, then goes back up to 65 when the road widens back out to four lanes again. I suspect–I don't know for sure, but it seems reasonable to me–that they might have found they can get some easy pickings from people who got frustrated while stuck behind slower traffic on the two-lane stretch who then floor it when the road widens and don't slow back down once they're clear of the slower traffic. Kind of stupid on those people's part–it's roughly 10 miles from where the road widens up to the state line, so they ought to be well clear of the slower traffic by then, plus there are (or at least there were last October) some bad dips in the road that should be a reason not to go too fast–but of course some people think they have to "make up lost time."
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 30, 2021, 09:55:25 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 30, 2021, 07:48:51 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on April 30, 2021, 07:42:54 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 29, 2021, 09:09:49 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 29, 2021, 06:01:16 PM
The two-lane section of US 33 in Ohio is better than the two-lane section of US 35 in West Virginia.
My personal preference would be to avoid I-75, so that would mean switching from US 35 to US 23 at Chillicothe and taking OH 315 north to reconnect with 23 on the north side of Columbus (if I used that route) or probably the eastern loop of I-270 from US 33 to US 23 north if I used US 33.
I ended up taking US-35. It was fine as it's a freeway for it's first few miles in West Virginia and then the two lane stretch I got stuck behind a semi that was doing about 55 but I really didn't mind it and just set my cruise for 53. After I entered Ohio there was a speed trap where two Ohio state boys were sitting there waiting for someone to fly over the bridge and go nail them. I can't remember off the top of my head what the speed limit is there but I was just going with the flow and it was fine. That's basically what I did after Chillicothe I took US-23 up to Columbus then took OH-315 through Columbus and actually reconnected with US-23 at OH-315's northern terminus south of Delaware.
If it's right after the bridge from West Virginia to Ohio, there's a "Speed Limit 70" sign right after the first exit in Ohio. I'm not sure whether technically it may be 65 prior to that sign, as the speed limit in West Virginia up to the bridge is 65.
That's strange that they'd have a speed trap where the speed limit increases. Seems like it'd be the other way around. I remember it starts out at 65 mph then drops to 55 mph for the two lane stretch.
Right, it starts as 65, drops to 55 for the two-lane stretch, then goes back up to 65 when the road widens back out to four lanes again. I suspect–I don't know for sure, but it seems reasonable to me–that they might have found they can get some easy pickings from people who got frustrated while stuck behind slower traffic on the two-lane stretch who then floor it when the road widens and don't slow back down once they're clear of the slower traffic. Kind of stupid on those people's part–it's roughly 10 miles from where the road widens up to the state line, so they ought to be well clear of the slower traffic by then, plus there are (or at least there were last October) some bad dips in the road that should be a reason not to go too fast–but of course some people think they have to "make up lost time."
Yeah and the two lane stretch is only 15 miles long so you're only slowed down for like 18-20 minutes. That makes some sense but like you said you have had a chance to pass for like 10 miles before you get to the border so that slow traffic should already be spread out. I never understand why people get so mad on the road but I do it too but the difference with me is I do it when it's legit I don't get mad every time I'm slowed down.
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 29, 2021, 09:09:49 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 29, 2021, 06:01:16 PM
The two-lane section of US 33 in Ohio is better than the two-lane section of US 35 in West Virginia.
My personal preference would be to avoid I-75, so that would mean switching from US 35 to US 23 at Chillicothe and taking OH 315 north to reconnect with 23 on the north side of Columbus (if I used that route) or probably the eastern loop of I-270 from US 33 to US 23 north if I used US 33.
I ended up taking US-35. It was fine as it's a freeway for it's first few miles in West Virginia and then the two lane stretch I got stuck behind a semi that was doing about 55 but I really didn't mind it and just set my cruise for 53. After I entered Ohio there was a speed trap where two Ohio state boys were sitting there waiting for someone to fly over the bridge and go nail them. I can't remember off the top of my head what the speed limit is there but I was just going with the flow and it was fine. That's basically what I did after Chillicothe I took US-23 up to Columbus then took OH-315 through Columbus and actually reconnected with US-23 at OH-315's northern terminus south of Delaware.
I know a lot of people complain about US 23 north of I-270 going up toward Delaware with the development and signals. I have never been on OH 315 north of I-270, but I know it goes immediately from freeway to two-lane road. Can you actually make better time on it than by shifting over to US 23?
Quote from: hbelkins on May 01, 2021, 07:00:41 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on April 29, 2021, 09:09:49 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 29, 2021, 06:01:16 PM
The two-lane section of US 33 in Ohio is better than the two-lane section of US 35 in West Virginia.
My personal preference would be to avoid I-75, so that would mean switching from US 35 to US 23 at Chillicothe and taking OH 315 north to reconnect with 23 on the north side of Columbus (if I used that route) or probably the eastern loop of I-270 from US 33 to US 23 north if I used US 33.
I ended up taking US-35. It was fine as it's a freeway for it's first few miles in West Virginia and then the two lane stretch I got stuck behind a semi that was doing about 55 but I really didn't mind it and just set my cruise for 53. After I entered Ohio there was a speed trap where two Ohio state boys were sitting there waiting for someone to fly over the bridge and go nail them. I can't remember off the top of my head what the speed limit is there but I was just going with the flow and it was fine. That's basically what I did after Chillicothe I took US-23 up to Columbus then took OH-315 through Columbus and actually reconnected with US-23 at OH-315's northern terminus south of Delaware.
I know a lot of people complain about US 23 north of I-270 going up toward Delaware with the development and signals. I have never been on OH 315 north of I-270, but I know it goes immediately from freeway to two-lane road. Can you actually make better time on it than by shifting over to US 23?
It's a pretty good two lane road through some developed areas and it goes near the Columbus Zoo but it's a a pretty good road it's kind of scenic as well. As far as time on it versus US-23 I think you make a little better time on 315. There are some signals on 315 though too I think there is one roundabout.