Making my first trip from Morganton NC to Pittsburgh, need advise

[ARMOURERERIC]

So after 6 months at my new home, I will going to Pittsburgh next week.  According to Google maps, exiting at North Beckly and taking US 19 to I-79 north will dave 1 hr and 45 mins.  I will be driving in the dark, very reliable car.  How is US 19, 4 lanes the whole way?  Deer?  How about services.  Should I stick to the interstates through Charelston until I get to try 19 in the daylight Tuesday?

Thanks in advance,

Eric

[Mapmikey]

Fayetteville and Summerville have services.  US 19 is 4-lane from Beckley to I-79.

Deer are everywhere in West Virginia and the entire mid-Atlantic.  They are definitely out and about...saw numerous carcasses on roads large and small during my 13 hour ride around Maryland today.

It is a half-hour longer to go 77 to 79.

[HazMatt]

So after 6 months at my new home, I will going to Pittsburgh next week.  According to Google maps, exiting at North Beckly and taking US 19 to I-79 north will dave 1 hr and 45 mins.  I will be driving in the dark, very reliable car.  How is US 19, 4 lanes the whole way?  Deer?  How about services.  Should I stick to the interstates through Charelston until I get to try 19 in the daylight Tuesday?

Thanks in advance,

Eric

19 is 4-lanes and shaves off significant time.  Just watch your speed, especially through Summersville.

[froggie]

Concur.  I would argue the speed trap in Summersville exceeds that of Emporia or even Waldo, FL.

You might also want to ask CanesFan27.  He's a veteran of numerous trips between Raleigh and Pittsburgh.

[rickmastfan67]

There's also speed traps in Fayetteville right before you get to the New River Gorge Bridge.  Right here is a good place they like to hide since that's where the station is.  So, obey the speed limit there too in addition to in Summersville.

Also, don't forget to have cash or an Ez-Pass for the US-19 exit off of I-77 as there's a toll booth there.

There are also 2 Walmart's along the route between I-77 & I-79 (Fayetteville & Summersville) right along side US-19 that will not require any diversion to get to them.  There are also a few Sheetz's along the route too if you need a quick place to stop and possibly grab a bite to eat.  They are also right near each Walmart too and easy to spot.

If you're low on fuel heading into Summersville, make sure to get some there.  Flatwoods (I-79 Exit #67) would be the next major gas stop that would have stations open 24h depending on how late you're passing by

[SP Cook]

Concur.

US 19 (Corridor L) is a 4-lane, although the "something must be done" idiots have over-burdened it with too many stoplights, and the shamelessly corrupt towns of Fayetteville and Summersville operate a disgusting random tax opperation.   (Several former "officers" and a mayor are currently rotting in jail). 

It saves upwards of 50 minutes travel time, and $3.60 of tolls.  And the grossly underposted northern third of the Turnpike is a speedtrap too.

Actually Corridor L has way more services than the northern part of the Turnpike and the part of I-79 you would be bypassing.  Note that much of the Clendenin exit, which had the most services on that part of I-79, remains abandoned due to last summer's flood.

In any event, Virginia gas tax is far lower, smart thing to do is fill up in Virginia if you can make it all the way through WV without buying fuel (220 miles or so).

[LM117]

In any event, Virginia gas tax is far lower, smart thing to do is fill up in Virginia if you can make it all the way through WV without buying fuel (220 miles or so).

This. I had to get gas at one of the gas stations next to the Tamarack in Beckley while I was on the WV Turnpike back in 2013 and I was in for a sticker shock when I saw the gas prices.

But at least it gave me an excuse to walk around in Tamarack. I always liked stopping there whenever I pass through WV, which isn't very often.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Thank you for all the replies.  I may even spend the night in Summerfields at a hotel.  I need to ask though:  What is the nature of the speed traps?

[epzik8]

Fayetteville and Summerville have services.  US 19 is 4-lane from Beckley to I-79.

Deer are everywhere in West Virginia and the entire mid-Atlantic.  They are definitely out and about...saw numerous carcasses on roads large and small during my 13 hour ride around Maryland today.

It is a half-hour longer to go 77 to 79.

Did you happen to go through Harford County? I live there; I'm in between Bel Air and the rural "North Harford" region.

[Mapmikey]

Yessir...also upper Eastern Shore

Routes I clinched:  US 1 Bus Bel Air; MD 7 (all segments), 22, 24, 132, 136, 152, 155, 156, 159, 222, 267, 272, 282, 284, 285, 290, 310, 327, 342, 490, 543, 588, 624, 715, 755, 763, 924

With this ride I believe I have completed all posted routes on the entirety of the Eastern Shore, plus Cecil and Harford Counties

[hbelkins]

So after 6 months at my new home, I will going to Pittsburgh next week.  According to Google maps, exiting at North Beckly and taking US 19 to I-79 north will dave 1 hr and 45 mins.  I will be driving in the dark, very reliable car.  How is US 19, 4 lanes the whole way?  Deer?  How about services.  Should I stick to the interstates through Charelston until I get to try 19 in the daylight Tuesday?

Thanks in advance,

Eric

Can concur with what many of the others have said.

Was just in southern West Virginia this week. Gas is significantly cheaper in Princeton than it is in Beckley.

You'll pay a $2 toll on I-77 between the Ghent/Flat Top exit (CR 48) and the I-64 split. Also a small toll (50 cents, I think) when you exit from I-77/I-64 to US 19.

US 19 is four lanes but has several traffic lights in the Oak Hill/Fayetteville area. The speed limit around Oak Hill and Fayetteville is 55 mph, and around Summersville it's 50. It's 65 everywhere else. I've never seen strenuous enforcement in Summersville despite the reputation.

Deer are going to be a problem after dark anywhere along your route between Wytheville and Morgantown, if not elsewhere. I saw six in broad daylight while roaming around in southeastern WV on Monday.

As far as services go, there are plenty at Princeton, Oak Hill/Fayetteville and Summersville. There's also a Sheetz at the North Beckley exit where US 19 joins the four-lane just after you get off the turnpike. Once on I-77, once you pass Flatwoods you'll go about 30 miles before you get to Weston, where there's a Sheetz, but north of there the options get more frequent through Clarksburg/Bridgeport, Fairmont and Morgantown.

There's no advantage to sticking to I-77 to Charleston. You travel farther and have to pay $4 more in tolls.

If you're passing the New River Gorge Bridge in the daylight, it's worth it to stop at the visitor center and at least get a few photos from the two easily accessible viewing platforms.

[Bitmapped]

The "speed traps" are just strict enforcement. The speed limits are well posted and reductions are signed in advance. Stick to the speed limit south of the New River Gorge Bridge and through the 50mph zone at Summersville and you won't have any problems.

[TravelingBethelite]

So after 6 months at my new home, I will going to Pittsburgh next week.  According to Google maps, exiting at North Beckly and taking US 19 to I-79 north will dave 1 hr and 45 mins.  I will be driving in the dark, very reliable car.  How is US 19, 4 lanes the whole way?  Deer?  How about services.  Should I stick to the interstates through Charelston until I get to try 19 in the daylight Tuesday?

Thanks in advance,

Eric

Can concur with what many of the others have said.

Was just in southern West Virginia this week. Gas is significantly cheaper in Princeton than it is in Beckley.

You'll pay a $2 toll on I-77 between the Ghent/Flat Top exit (CR 48) and the I-64 split. Also a small toll (50 cents, I think) when you exit from I-77/I-64 to US 19.

US 19 is four lanes but has several traffic lights in the Oak Hill/Fayetteville area. The speed limit around Oak Hill and Fayetteville is 55 mph, and around Summersville it's 50. It's 65 everywhere else. I've never seen strenuous enforcement in Summersville despite the reputation.

Deer are going to be a problem after dark anywhere along your route between Wytheville and Morgantown, if not elsewhere. I saw six in broad daylight while roaming around in southeastern WV on Monday.

As far as services go, there are plenty at Princeton, Oak Hill/Fayetteville and Summersville. There's also a Sheetz at the North Beckley exit where US 19 joins the four-lane just after you get off the turnpike. Once on I-77, once you pass Flatwoods you'll go about 30 miles before you get to Weston, where there's a Sheetz, but north of there the options get more frequent through Clarksburg/Bridgeport, Fairmont and Morgantown.

There's no advantage to sticking to I-77 to Charleston. You travel farther and have to pay $4 more in tolls.

If you're passing the New River Gorge Bridge in the daylight, it's worth it to stop at the visitor center and at least get a few photos from the two easily accessible viewing platforms.

I think you mean I-79.

[hbelkins]

The "speed traps" are just strict enforcement. The speed limits are well posted and reductions are signed in advance. Stick to the speed limit south of the New River Gorge Bridge and through the 50mph zone at Summersville and you won't have any problems.

Or invest in a good radar detector.