Shorter route from SW Roanoke to downtown Richmond (Charlottesville, Crewe: pine, commute)

[Justme2010]

Hi,

Some of you must have driven to and back from Richmond.
Both Yahoo maps and Google maps offers a similar driving route of
81N and 64E, ~194miles and 3h 10minutes while the map indicates that an alternative route of 76 -> 360 --> 307 -->460 -->221 (westward) seems more like a straight line, is this alternative route viable? That is, not a lot of country-backwood winding narrow road, some of them may be under repair or otherwise unavailable..

I intend to make a road trip to Richmond within next two weeks.

Thanks.

[whynot?]

Think stoplights. My mother and her 80-something friends travel the 360-route "to get out of all that traffic." I think the roads are fine, but they go through several towns and hamlets. Right through them.

I drive 81 and 64 much more quickly, and there's really not that much traffic. It really depends on the kind of driving you like, though. Except for Afton Mountain, 64 is dreadfully boring, all pine trees and pavement.

[eebrbee]

I also take the Richmond->Roanoke->Richmond commute and I have found that taking 64->81 is much easier. I have tried numerous routes, but as long as you aren't on 81 around 5 PM then traffic shouldn't be too bad.

[Diamond Dave]

I take 460 to the tidewater area about once a year. 360 branches off and heads toward Richmond around Crewe. It will save you some stress and is less boring than 64, that's for sure.

[Justme2010]

Thank you all, I'll try both routes depending on available time and predicatability.

[badger74]

Another way--460 to 29N to the state highway from Amherst to Richmond. Very little traffic but mostly 2 lanes from Amherst to Richmond.

[Justme2010]

Thank you for another option, badger74.

[vamtncat]

29N will take you to Charlottesville. You would have to pick up 64E or 250E to get to Richmond.

[whynot?]

Actually, you can do a 29N to 250E in/around Charlottesville that will take you smack downtown in Richmond, where 250 is "Broad Street." Not a bad drive, not particularly scenic, though. 2-4 lane, 45-55 mph for the most part.

[Justme2010]

Thanks for the additional notes from both vamtncat and whynot. My first trip (busienss trip) would probably take the easier route of 81N and 64E for a better assurance of driving time, and later on I'll explore all the other options... once again many thanks to all contributors.