Best Route from Tellico Plains to Erie PA? (Knoxville, Cleveland: pay, place)

[monkeywrench67]

I take a road trip from CA to TN to PA every other year. I really don't like driving through WV. Can anybody suggest an efficient alternative route? I was thinking through KY and OH?

[JMT]

Originally Posted by monkeywrench67

I take a road trip from CA to TN to PA every other year. I really don't like driving through WV. Can anybody suggest an efficient alternative route? I was thinking through KY and OH?

When I drove to Erie a couple of years ago I also wanted to avoid WV. I took I-75 to Cincinnati, then the interstate (I don't remember the number) to Cleveland, then the interstate up to Erie. It was a very pleasant drive.

[monkeywrench67]

Excellent! Thanks alot.

[gemkeeper]

Hi, monkeywrench, too much caffeine tonight, so here I am at 1:30 AM!

I grew up in upstate PA and we make our yearly trek in about 3 weeks.

If you take I-75 N up through TN, KY, and OH, you can pick up I-71 N just south of Cincinatti. They cross one another so it is just a matter of bearing right to get onto I-71. Continue up 71 to just southwest of Aakron, OH where I-271 will link you up to I-90, which is a straight shot into Erie. Ohio is a pretty boring state to drive through as far as scenery, but the route is usually well cared for and easy to drive.

Enjoy your trip. Maybe I'll see you at one of the 15 or so rest stops that we will be visiting!

[JMT]

Originally Posted by gemkeeper

Hi, monkeywrench, too much caffeine tonight, so here I am at 1:30 AM!

I grew up in upstate PA and we make our yearly trek in about 3 weeks.

If you take I-75 N up through TN, KY, and OH, you can pick up I-71 N just south of Cincinatti. They cross one another so it is just a matter of bearing right to get onto I-71. Continue up 71 to just southwest of Aakron, OH where I-271 will link you up to I-90, which is a straight shot into Erie. Ohio is a pretty boring state to drive through as far as scenery, but the route is usually well cared for and easy to drive.

Enjoy your trip. Maybe I'll see you at one of the 15 or so rest stops that we will be visiting!

Yup, that's the route I described. I just didn't know the interstate numbers. Thanks!

[KnoxBrian]

Why not I-40 east to I-81 North-goes right into PA, all the way up to the turnpike.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by KnoxBrian

Why not I-40 east to I-81 North-goes right into PA, all the way up to the turnpike.

That's probably not a bad alternative. I-81 in Virginia is certainly a more scenic drive than I-71 through flat, boring Ohio.

I plugged in "Knoxville TN to Erie PA" on mapquest and it shows what gemkeeper and I suggested, going through Lexington KY, Cincinnati, Columbus OH, and Cleveland.

[monkeywrench67]

I like VA, but WV is such a dump.

[williboy]

I go visit my cousin fairly often in Canton, Ohio and I really enjoy the drive up I-77 through WV. The highway is in good shape and the drive is very scenic. I do dislike having to stop and pay their $1.50 tolls every so often, but I guess that's what helps keep the highway in good shape.

[LAURENR_98]

I am from MD and one of my favorite place to ride is WV. So not so much as a response to the post, but as a general question..Is it 81? WV is so pretty and one of the reasons I like Tellico Plains. WV in spots reminds me Of TP. Sorry to go off track..