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Will be driving to Pittsburgh tomorrow morning - seems like the I-40/79 route is shorter (with mountain passes) than the I-85/95 route. For those who do this route, thoughts on which one is more prone to delays given the pre-Thanksgiving traffic and the weather? Suggestions?
I drove up to Pittsburgh from Raleigh last year (not for Thanksgiving) and took the 40/79 route. I found it worked well. That way would be my preferred route. All bets are off during the Turkey Day travel week, but I imagine the 95/DC area will be a headache this week for sure. Safe travels!
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
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Normally I'd avoid I-95 at all costs during Thanksgiving, but the weather forecast for Tuesday looks pretty nasty. I think the eastern routes are more likely to be rain, while the western routes are more likely to be sleet, so I'd pay close attention to the latest predictions.
My kids and I are heading up Weds. and we were going to take I-81, but now I'm having second thoughts.
We routinely drive to northern WV up 40/52/77/19/79 and it's usually fine. Has the potential to be a bit dicey with the weather though...particularly on 19 through Summersville area, but plenty of opportunities for ice in the mountains.
Not as familiar with the exact details of the 85/95 route, but have done Buffalo-Richmond a number of times, which covers part of your route. You can skip DC by hopping off 95 at Fredericksburg and going up 17 to Winchester. With no traffic it adds about 10-15 minutes compared to going up the Beltway/270, but might be safer hedge against DC traffic.
We're watching the forecasts closely going the opposite direction. The NWS just keeps adding to the winter weather advisories to the west, so I'd be inclined to stay on 85/95 as long as you can. However, I think the whole situation will be more clear in the morning. Make the call then.
I would do anything to avoid driving through the D.C. corridor under the very best of circumstances let alone mid-week of a busy travel period with a major storm system sweeping through the area.
If you must drive tomorrow take I-40 to I-77 (and so on) and drive slow when things get nasty - it would take a miracle for I-95 to prove the better way to go.
I drove to Pittsburg via I-40, I-77 during a snowstorm about this time last year. Never again.
The weather report said flurries. It was 6 inches if it was an inch. Winding through the mountains following a snowplow with the occasional frustrated driver fishtailing by is not my idea of a good time. Cars spinning end for do and 18 wheelers jacknifed in the ditch.
Driving through Washington DC is no picnic either.
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