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Well, I'm confident that it's more than 30 minutes faster. And I've done this trip well over 100 times beginning in 1989.
I-85 bows way up to the North only to glide back Southward to Raleigh.
It's veers far away from "as the crow flies" between Charlotte and Raleigh.
Despite driving at lower speeds & 2 lane roads, the much shorter distance in miles will edge out taking the interstate...
Also, I probably feel I reached my destination of Raleigh/ Louisburg upon crossing Jordan Lake, lol.
I always look for the nuclear cooling tower.
People not familiar with this rural geographic center of the state would be surprised that in a few spots not far from Raleigh there are almost real mountains.
We live below Charlotte and most directions suggest we use I-85 to get to Atlanta. When going southwest we avoid Charlotte and go south via I-77 after going cross country to get to Rock Hill to get on I-77, to I-20 and get on I-85 skirting the East side of Atlanta. Once we decided to come home on I-85 just to see what it was like and that was not a good choice. I-20 has a lot less traffic than I-85. I-95 is rough but my opinion is any time you can avoid I-85 it is a good idea It would be great if you could avoid I-95 too.
Well, I'm confident that it's more than 30 minutes faster. And I've done this trip well over 100 times beginning in 1989.
I-85 bows way up to the North only to glide back Southward to Raleigh.
It's veers far away from "as the crow flies" between Charlotte and Raleigh.
Despite driving at lower speeds & 2 lane roads, the much shorter distance in miles will edge out taking the interstate...
I disagree. Taking 64/49 is only 17 miles shorter than I-40/I-85. Factor in slower speed limits, stop lights, etc. there's no way its any faster, especially 30-40 minutes. Google maps says its actually 27 minutes LONGER. And I've found their timing to be pretty accurate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by architect77
People not familiar with this rural geographic center of the state would be surprised that in a few spots not far from Raleigh there are almost real mountains.
Thanks for all the comments guys! I actually ended up taking 95/20 to get to Atlanta. I left at like 7am and it was super easy of a drive. Barely any traffic, especially on 20 through Georgia. I think I much prefer that route versus 40/85.
On the way back, I tried the 85/64 route. There seemed to be a lot of 45/55 mph zones and a lot of stop lights. I will say that it was a very relaxing drive, but it did feel like it took forever.
40 to 85 is honestly fine with traffic depending on what time you leave. It will be a Saturday so most likely no traffic- I used to drive that way to Virginia.
As for to Atlanta all the way:
95 and 20 is your best bet. It appears on multiple map searches to be the best route.
40 to 85 is honestly fine with traffic depending on what time you leave. It will be a Saturday so most likely no traffic- I used to drive that way to Virginia.
As for to Atlanta all the way:
95 and 20 is your best bet. It appears on multiple map searches to be the best route.
You’re a bit late. OP already made the trip. See the post above yours.
Take US-64 West from Cary to Asheboro, then NC49 to Charlotte, then I-85 the rest of the trip.
Taking 64/49 to Charlotte is shorter, faster, and much more relaxed than I-85.
I now only use that route.
There are only a few remaining stretches of NC49 that haven't been widened to 4 lanes.
It shaves a good 40 minutes off the trip.
Can't really dispute your assertion because I don't know your starting and ending places, but 64/49 is definitely NOT shorter for us in Chapel Hill. My in-laws live in Charlotte down close to but not in Matthews (still in Charlotte) so my spouse and I been back and forth for 30 years. We do like that route because it's less crazy-making than 85, but it's definitely longer for us unless there's just a terrible traffic jam, which does happen occasionally on 85.
Can't really dispute your assertion because I don't know your starting and ending places, but 64/49 is definitely NOT shorter for us in Chapel Hill. My in-laws live in Charlotte down close to but not in Matthews (still in Charlotte) so my spouse and I been back and forth for 30 years. We do like that route because it's less crazy-making than 85, but it's definitely longer for us unless there's just a terrible traffic jam, which does happen occasionally on 85.
It's funny because I wasn't actually gonna take 64/49, but once I got near Charlotte my GPS suggested it as a faster, alternative route to 85/40.
When the U.S. 64 Asheboro Bypass becomes a reality two years from now as planned, taking 64/49 could be about the same as going 40/85, depending on where in the Triangle you're located. The traffic and lights in Asheboro do slow down driving time somewhat, but so does going through Siler City on 64 as well, so the improvement in drive time may be minimal at best.
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