Driving to Durham/Best Route?? (Raleigh, Winston-Salem: home, buy, construction)

[chicagomom2]

I will be driving to Durham in the middle of August, and would like suggestions for the best route, going through Louisville...starting in Chicago
Funny, at one time, I was a Triple A member, and they would actually make up a detailed route book for you, with construction warnings, mile by mile maps, etc. I do not think they provide that service, but am no longer a member, so thought I would ask on here


Thanks in advance for any helpful advice or information!

[crewstopia]

I am from Raleigh and went to undergrad at the University of Chicago. We used to drive across the mountains on I-40 to Knoxville, then go through Lexington, Louisville and Indianapolis.

Interestingly, that's not even in the top 3 routes that Google gives - they all go through Ohio. I think my mom thought we were avoiding more urban traffic problems with the way we chose. But it's been ages ...

[tompope]

Hi, chicagomom2,

I make the drive back and forth between Chicago and the Triangle on a semi-regular basis, and for what it's worth, I find that, as crewstopia says, the fastest route these days does not, in fact, go through Louisville (nor Knoxville), but consists of taking 65 south to Indianapolis, then I-70 east to Dayton, then a short distance south on Interstate 75 in Dayton, then U.S. Highway 35 southeast across southern Ohio and into West Virginia to Charleston, then I-77 south through West Virginia and Virginia to Mount Airy, NC, then U.S. Highway 52 to Winston-Salem, then I-40 east to Durham, Raleigh, or wherever. Of course, if you specifically need or want to go through Louisville, then you'd simply stay on 65 through Indy to Louisville, and then from there take I-64 east to Charleston, WV. I've taken that route, too, and it consistently takes a little longer than the aforementioned one, but not a huge difference. And actually, this summer they've been working on a road construction project on Interstate 70 east of Indianapolis which has caused some slowdowns at times, and perhaps narrowed the gap between that route and the route through Louisville (or the one through Cincinnati). In any case, be aware of three unavoidable toll plazas on I-77 in West Virginia between Charleston and the Virginia line (the total one-way toll is currently $6, I believe, but you can use your Quick Pass/EZ Pass transponder thing to pay it). Also, watch out for windy, rainy, or foggy conditions at times along the sections of I-77 in West Virginia and Virginia. Other than that, it's an easy buy kind of boring drive.

Have fun, travel safely, and good luck!

[j-mart77]

ahh, the good old TripTik. There's an app for that now, and all 2k people that have actually downloaded it seem moderately happy with it

I know it's going to show as the longer way, but I like to the 80/90 to 77 when I drive back home from Detroit. Sure there are a couple of small tolls, but it's easy smooth sailing and there aren't any stops.

Anyway, people that have actually driven to/from the Windy City might have better advice, but I had to comment on the AAA TripTik. That takes me back to simpler times

[chicagomom2]

Thanks! You guys are the best! I really appreciate all the info!!