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Hi
I'm debating leaving Friday afternoon(Dec 19th) from Southwest Charlotte to visit family in Connecticut for the holidays. Another option is just waiting until Saturday morning to head out. Since I'm new down here just wanted to ask how is traffic on I-77 North on a Friday? Is this even worth it? Thanks for any input!
The traffic on I-77 is horrible in my opinion on any day of the week, but going through it to see my family would be worth every mile. I would leave out very early in the morning before everyone commutes to work before sunrise to avoid the headaches of I-77.
I've run north on I77 from Exit 30 many times on Fridays and the worst you'd see is during afternoon rush hour. I have to believe you'll encounter some stiff, but moving traffic from the exit 19 area up to the lake. Then you'd have some thickness up through Statesville. But even so, once you get past I40 and the speed limit jumps up to 70mph, there's usually no problem.
The only big issue is if something unexpected happens to congest things (accident, people slowing down to gawk at the decorated boat at the Harbor Club, etc.).
Depends what time in the afternoon, although I don't think 11:30 PM is considered the afternoon...
I think you'd probably want to be at exit 19 by 2:00 to miss the worst of it. I'd imagine other people might be doing the same thing and you probably want to get out of there before all the kids are home from school. Still, even in the worst traffic barring a major accident (which is possible) you're probably only adding about an hour or so IMO, with the worst traffic likely being between exits 19-36
I drove to LI on the Friday before Thanksgiving, and traffic wasn't bad - although we left at 10am. I've left at 1pm and there was a little congestion, but nothing too bad. If I was leaving after 3pm or so, I'd have to reconsider. And in fact, I'm driving to LI this weekend for the holidays and I can't get out of work early Friday so I'm just going to drive up on Saturday morning and take 85 & 95.
You may have heard this before but you said you're new here so I'll mention it - watch out in Virginia. The speed limit is 70, but it's reckless driving if they catch you over 80. If you're a driver who goes 10 over the speed limit on the highway, I'd set my cruise control below 80 and be diligent about not exceeding that threshold.
Once you get past exit 28 you are fine heading north unless there is a wreck of course. Generally it's not stop and go beyond that point and moves fairly well. Beyond 28 you will be fine, just be north of that by 2pm or 3pm at the latest. If not, consider leaving later in the evening after rush hour or early the next morning unless you don't mind stop/go traffic (which some people don't). Good luck and safe travels.
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