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Harish Grover -- the road from Charleston towards Beckley is just fine. You will have absolutely no problem. Nothing to be concerned about at all. Enjoy your drive. WV is a beautiful state to drive through and the interstates are just fine.
My suggestion... drive I 70 to Washington, PA, then south on I79 to the US 19 Exit. It is a four lane expressway and cuts miles off your trip, and it also takes you through spectacular scenery. You can pick up I77 in Beckley. Be careful in the notorious speed trap of Summersville.
West VirginiaMain article: U.S. Route 19 in West Virginia
New River Gorge BridgeUS 19 enters West Virginia as a six lane highway near Bluefield, where it narrows to a two-lane as it winds northward. It later parallels Interstate 77 and 64 until it reaches Beckley, where it becomes the four-lane Corridor L. It crosses the New River Gorge Bridge at Fayetteville and passes through Summersville, and Birch River before arriving at Interstate 79, five miles (8 km) south of Sutton. From there, it runs concurrent with Interstate 79 from exit 57 to exit 67 at Flatwoods, West Virginia . Then, it exits and reverts a two lane highway, more or less following the route of I-79 as it passes through Weston, Clarksburg, Fairmont, and Morgantown before crossing into Pennsylvania.
Route 19 through Summersville, West Virginia has been dubbed the "World's Largest Speed Trap."[13]
My suggestion... drive I 70 to Washington, PA, then south on I79 to the US 19 Exit. It is a four lane expressway and cuts miles off your trip, and it also takes you through spectacular scenery. You can pick up I77 in Beckley. Be careful in the notorious speed trap of Summersville.
"[13]
I-70 from St Louis will go clear up to Indianapolis, across to Dayton-Columbus-Wheeling, etc., that's a lot of extra miles to put on a U-Haul. Not to mention the seat time.
I-70-I-64-I-77 is a straight shot, and the most direct of those two routes.
The steepest road you'll see is on the turnpike section of I-77. Just observe the few turns marked 50 mph and you'll be fine.
Watch the speed limit in Virginia carefully. And at the tunnels as well.
Cheap fuel in Wytheville, Va., probably the lowest you'll see in 300-400 miles, lower than WV and Ohio for certain. Current low price in Wytheville is $3.37, while my price locally is $3.75.
If your daily road is streight Arizona highway- then yes, I64 is dangerous. There are are no streight parts between Charleston and Beckley. Prepare to stay alert, make fast sharp turns and experience pleasant WV g-force
If you're loaded heavily, the section south of Beckley where it has a 'truck lane' is steeper than it sounds if you only look at elevation.
I drove a 'loaded to the hilt' G20 van pulling a uhaul thru there on the way to FL, and dropped down to second gear before I topped out. It was almost scary being passed by big trucks on an uphill grade! Granted it wasn't the most efficient vehicle, but it was what I had at the time. Conversely when I got to Fancy Gap the thing cruised at 60-70mph! Maybe it was the gas I bought at Wytheville? (burned through 30 gallons from Kanawha City)
You shouldn't have any problems with a rental.
Anybody remember the old route down off the south side of Fancy Gap? 2 lane, 5mph curves? THAT was a experience!
I remember OTR drivers saying they'd rather drive US160 out west.
Location: Appalachian New York, Formerly Louisiana
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AirbornePolecat
If you have to relieve yourself on I-77 just don't wonder to far into the woods, strange things go on of the beaten track........
lol yeah, right. Folks like us might make faces at him and point and laugh (haw haw, lookit the city boy with the truck that runs and the underwear with good elastic!). That will show him!
Wait... that's not what you meant? Oh. Carry on then. o.O
Wytheville is a major highway hub, at the intersection of I-77 and I-81. Lots of motels, places to eat, gas stations and convenience stores. It's a good spot to stop for the night.
If the timing works out, do lunch and a tour of Tamarack in the early afternoon, drive the WV Turnpike (I-77) from Beckley to Wytheville in the afternoon, overnight in Wytheville, then the stretch of I-77 south to Fancy Gap the next morning.
I think Fancy Gap VA is where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses I-77. Watch out for fog on that mountain, though.
My wife and I slept in the Tamarack parking lot overnight in our big rig on New Years eve. We walked up to the Ruby Tuesday's and had out NYear celebration there. I was surprised in the morning to find the Tamarack open on New Years day. We shopped in there for a while and then took off down the road. What a beautiful area it is. The roads are just fantastic, the scenery is unsurpassed and it's not cold as heck as it is here at home.
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I was surprised in the morning to find the Tamarack open on New Years day. ...
I think the only day of the year that it's closed is Christmas Day.
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