I'm headed from Mi. down to williamsburg Va. this weekend and I thought I would ask about the turnpike through Ohio and Pa. I used to live in Va. and havce a couple grandbabies born last month we need to go see. I know the T.P. can be torn up at any given time so I thought I would ask I go to breezewood and then take 17 to get around the D.C, tangle I havn't been in a while so I guess this is still the good way. I used to like to take 250 down and through the mtns. and then go across 64 to Richmond. but on these quick trips I stay more to the fast routes. I am taking the CTD this is the first long trip with it so I am anxious to see how she runs on the grades. anyhow just thought I would ask about the roads. If anyone is intrested you should stay out of Michigan during the spring you can loose a whole mac truck in the potholes up here. I think we might have the worst roads in the country here It isn't from a lack of paying enough road tax though.

 

I've been out that way myself a few times, and if I were doing it, I'd take I-80 to I-76. Then I-76 into Breezewood. Then I-70 south to just below Frederick and pick up I-270. Take the I-495 beltway west around DC to I-95 all the way to Richmond. As you suggest, there may be more picturesque routes, but if time is what you're looking for, I think this may be the way to go. Just time your arrivial around DC outside of the rush hours.

 

Comatoze the belt way will shut you down at times the best way is 1-70 to 522 to 17 across to fredricksburg it is also about 15 miles closer and usually about 45 min to an hour off the trip. I am just wondering about the road work down that way and if I should expect delays. I also have a daughter in D.C. but she will meet us in Va. I'm not getting close to that mad house up there. Thanks for the help

 

Okay, then how about I-77 south into Charleston, then I-64 east into Lexington, then turn north for a bit on I-81 (love that highway), then turn east on I-64 again. You're adding a ton of extra mileage, but if you're determined to stay clear of DC that's the only other way I can think of to get to Richmond, via Interstates.

 

The way I described above keeps you out of D.C. and it is kind of nice country.

 

Your talking about what, 750 miles or so? Its a long day. I've done that trip more times than I care to think about. I've never been on 17 until I get to Fredricksburg VA, when heading into Williamsburg; and usually just take I-64 into town. I've never bothered to sightsee during those trips, but was in a hurry to get thru fast as possible.

Personally, for next weekend I'd basically do I-75 South; OH-PA turnpike East; I-70 at Breezewood; I-270 in Rockville MD to I-495 (DC beltway); I-95 South to I-64 in Richmond then turn left. Then again, I'm used to the DC "tangle"; and its not that bad on the weekends.

It seems like the PA turnpike is always a mess, but distance wise its the shortest going thru Breezewood. During holiday traffic periods I'll take I-79 South in Pittsburgh to Morgantown WVA then take I-68 East to miss the Breezewood logjam then pickup I-70 again. Its a little longer distance wise (~25 miles), but it more than makes up for sitting in the City of Motels tollbooth for up to two hours - plus the different scenery makes it nice too. And in inclement weather, you can travel faster that way than on the turnpike.

Both I-79 and I-68 are nice and smooth (compared to I-94 up there), but be careful on 68 in the rain, the road surface can turn greasy real quick.

I have on occasion, gone up thru Buffalo/Niagra Falls (I-79 North) and pass thru Ontario and cross the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron/Sarnia. That adds about another 80 miles to the trip though.

I'll be up your way in a couple of months; gonna "borrow" my little brothers Road Glide while he's at work and bring it back with me for a month or so to help break in those new cams he wants to install. I told him yesterday, and I think he's changing locks as we speak.

Enjoy those young'ins.

 

http://www.ohioturnpike.org/new_conproj.html
http://www.paturnpike.com/rttc/

You can also call AAA. They call us all day long for traffic updates.
Here it's 1-800-AAA-MICH.
Don

 

Thanks Redleg thats what I am looking for