Need advice about road trip from Raleigh NC (Cincinnati, Kent: live, beach)

[didee]

I will be driving from NC to Cincinnati. I haven't done it before. I will be travelling with a crated dog. Mapquest shows me the following route.
Driving Directions from Raleigh, NC to Cincinnati, OH

Has anyone had experience with this route? I am thinking of doing an all night drive, but am wondering whether I will be encountering scary mountain roads which would be beter to travel in daylight.

Alternate route suggestions appreciated as well. It looks like there might be some all-interstate routes, also, but Mapquest wants me to take the route linked above.

Thanks in advance.

[Beavercreek33]

Some of the roads in TN at night can be challenging. I remember driving down south on I-75 through the Knoxville area and running into some heavy curves. Besides that, once you get into Kentucky everything should be smooth sailing from there. I am not so sure about the roads in Western North Carolina as much.

[Ohiogirl81]

Every time I've gone from Cincinnati to Myrtle Beach I've driven through the mountains at night, but that was on I-40/I-75. Your route might be a little more challenging, especially through southern Virginia and West Virginia.

If you're not used to mountain driving, and if some of that route isn't interstate, you might consider driving in the daytime -- or, at least leave before dawn so you're approaching Cincinnati by the time it gets dark again.

[didee]

Ohiogirl, what route did you take to get to the beach? I live a few miles from I-40.

The VA/WV part of the trip is exactly the part I am concerned about, since I think that's all mountains and unfamiliar road to me.

[Ohiogirl81]

We took I-75 south to Knoxville, and then I-40 east (then on to I-26 south toward Columbia SC). It might be longer for you, though, depending on where you live. I found I-40 to be a pretty easy drive - I hate driving through mountains, but the road is surprisingly wide and free of white-knuckle curves.

The VA/WV route might be shorter for you, though, since you're so far east. Is most of the route via interstate?

[wilson1010]

Take I-40 to Asheville, on to Knoxville and then 75 to Cincinnati. Done it a dozen times.

[didee]

Wilson, thanks. Isn't that longer in distance and time that the route mapquest is giving me which is via Charleston, WV? I want to minimize both scary mountain roads and time spent driving :-) Thanks.

[wilson1010]

I-40 across NC is a delightful drive that you can do without much traffic and its all gentle rolling hills. The trip from Asheville to Knoxville is absolutely beautiful but has some hills. They are all 4 to 6 lane interstate highway. Again, some beautiful scenery but hilly out of Knoxville. Then nothing but I-75 to Cincinnati.

I just checked AAA and they go I-77 to Huntington then 52 to Cincinnati. I think I-77 is a goatrun. I detest US 52. There are speed traps (Mt. Airy for sure) and I remember it as more hilly that the way I am suggesting.

It's about 50 miles further my way. My brother lived in NC for 20 years and we all agreed this was the way to go. I do it in one shot, but if you want to spend the night, Ashville is the place. I'd do it all at once. Knoxille traffic is mostly avoided via I-640, but if you hit it at rush hour, its like any other city traffic.

I think that the I77 route is a legitimate choice, but I would do it on I40 and I 75.

[didee]

Thank you all! This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I'm going to do 40 to 75.

[NCbyChoice]

Originally Posted by didee

Thank you all! This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I'm going to do 40 to 75.

I-40 near the NC and Tennessee border is closed. There was a huge rock slide two weeks ago. The road is demolished. It will be closed for at least 3 more months. The detour takes you all the way up through Johnson City. That's an additional 1.5-2 hours out of the way. I'd pick a different route.