Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I don't think you will have any problems on I-64...like someone else said, it's a well engineered highway and you are capable of traveling safely at the posted speed limit (considering weather). I have traveled I-64 from Lexington all the way to where it intersects with, I think I-77 (?) and, you will have some mountain/hills but like I said it's well engineered. If the speed limit is 70 mph, it was engineered to be safe at that speed. Even though you haven't driven in that kind of terrain, you'll get the hang of it in no time. I have never been to NY or Jersey but, I-64 may be safer to travel on than some of the interstates you drive on regularly.
LOL! The NJ turnpike and Garden State Parkway is like being in the Indy 500, they drive like hell and will mow you down but its all flat. The GSP has 3-4 lanes in both directions making it up to 8 lanes wide and the turnpike has 5 lanes on each side giving is a width of 10 lanes. Its crowded and fast but at least flat and not winding.
The speed limit is 70!? In NJ its 65. I think that because people normally do 80 lol!
LOL! The NJ turnpike and Garden State Parkway is like being in the Indy 500, they drive like hell and will mow you down but its all flat. The GSP has 3-4 lanes in both directions making it up to 8 lanes wide and the turnpike has 5 lanes on each side giving is a width of 10 lanes. Its crowded and fast but at least flat and not winding.
The speed limit is 70!? In NJ its 65. I think that because people normally do 80 lol!
Ah...you'll do good. One thing for sure, you'll learn why it's sooo expensive to build interstates or any roads for that matter in the mountains. Quite amazing to see some of the so called cuts through the mountains and fills where the material from the cuts are put. Grade percentage's and curve percentage's are figured into the safety of the highway. No excessive grades and no excessive curves. I had the privilage to see some of this up close and personal in my past life.
I seem to recall that the WVA Turnpike has a lower speed limit than 70 mph in the curviest, hilliest stretches. I-64 in Kentucky's limit is 70 outside of cities (which includes most of where you'll be driving). As Hogs noted, it is an engineering marvel as it cuts through the mountains. The stretch closest to Charleston, where it ends or begins, depending on which way you're going, parallels the Kanawha River for a few miles. Once you're past the heavy industry in the valley, it's quite scenic.
That should be the "Greenbriar Valley", in my previous post - too late to edit now!
Just checked Wikipedia - lengthy article about the history and construction of the WVAT, and yes, the speed limit varies from 70 to 60 mph, depending on topography. Good photos (but not very many), too, and a link to Tamarack's website.
Yes, there is one main travel plaza outside of Beckley where the Tamarack is located. It has several places to eat at the food court. Also, you will find about the midpoint of the turnpike there is another rest stop that has food, possibly a BK, but not sure anymore. Once you get to Charleston there are restaurants and gas stations pretty much all the way to Huntington as that area is pretty developed. If you have the chance to stop at a Sheetz gas station make sure you go inside and try one of their milkshakes. Have a safe trip!
In addition to the state-run rest stops, there will also be towns along the way with gas stations, restaurants, etc. Staunton and Lexington VA are not far apart, but Lexington, Ky is quite a ways down the road.
There is a Kentucky welcome center just past Ashland, Ky., and there are nice WVA and VA welcome centers near the state lines as you head back home - and as noted, there's also Tamarack. If you check the highway department websites for each state, they may include this info.
You will see lots of blue signs indicating FOOD, GAS, and HOTELS, with some of the choices at the next exit. Once you are on the exit ramp, there will be more blue signs telling you how far and in which direction to go for each choice. Really, travelling now-a-days is sooooo relaxing and easy!
Also, as you go remember that the exit numbers coincide with the mile markers. That'll help with the "How far to.....?" questions!!!
LadyAlicia - I have to make this trip for work! Any advice?? How did it turn out??
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
