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I am driving from North GA to Pittsburgh on 2/10/16. The current 10-day forecast shows 1-3 inches of snow (60% chance) from Beckley all the way to Pittsburgh. I realize that it's way too far out to put much faith into the forecast. But if that was the case, what would my trip along US-19N, then I-79 be like?
If your timing is such that you'll be coming thru WV in daylight, I wouldnt worry too much about it. That's a Wednesday, so there should be enough traffic to keep the roadway fairly clear.
Of course, there's all sorts of variables...
... Does the snow come on top of freezing rain? (If so, find a motel.)
... 1-3" at Beckley could mean 6-8" of snow when you cross the mountains.
... A couple of tractor trailers jackknife and block the Turnpike. This happened during last weekend's snow on the PA Turnpike, and the westbound lanes were closed for 30 hours west of Breezewood.
If your timing is such that you'll be coming thru WV in daylight, I wouldnt worry too much about it. That's a Wednesday, so there should be enough traffic to keep the roadway fairly clear.
Of course, there's all sorts of variables...
... Does the snow come on top of freezing rain? (If so, find a motel.)
... 1-3" at Beckley could mean 6-8" of snow when you cross the mountains.
... A couple of tractor trailers jackknife and block the Turnpike. This happened during last weekend's snow on the PA Turnpike, and the westbound lanes were closed for 30 hours west of Breezewood.
I was planning to leave my house (about 50 miles north of Atlanta) by 8am on the 10th. That would put me in Beckley right around 3pm.
Right now, it looks like the forecast is similar for the 9th. I could leave on the 9th but wouldn't be able to leave Georgia until at least 4pm and drive well into the night. I wouldn't arrive in Pittsburgh until at least 2am, later if I ran into weather. I could also wait and leave until the 11th at 8am if it looks like better weather. As long as I'm in Pittsburgh by 1pm Friday, so my best friend and I can drive another 4 hours to Hershey, PA to see Kathy Griffin!
The alternate route up I-75N thru Lexington, KY and Cincinnati, then on to Columbus has been my backup plan, but it looks like they may get hit with even more snow.
I'm hoping that between the Traffic Updates on my Garmin, Waze on my phone and the radio, I'll know if I'm heading into trouble before I get stuck out in the middle of nowhere!
Are there motels along I-79 between the intersection with US-19N and Morgantown? Is that what you're referring to as 'the mountains'?
Last snow was to be 2 foot it was 4 Foot! Lots of folks got stranded on the Interstates. I Vote for you to plan to stay at a Hotel. Preparing an Emergency Kit for Your Car Also has Tips for what to take with you.
Last snow was to be 2 foot it was 4 Foot! Lots of folks got stranded on the Interstates. I Vote for you to plan to stay at a Hotel. Preparing an Emergency Kit for Your Car Also has Tips for what to take with you.
Thanks for the link to the Emergency Kit info and other tips. I had already planned to bring some of the items, but hadn't thought of others.
Absolutely worst case scenario, as long at airport in Pittsburgh is open, I can always take Southwest at the last minute.
Back to the Emergency Preparedness link....If you are stuck, it says to try to run the car as little as possible and be aware of carbon monoxide. Does putting the HVAC on 'recirculate' (so it isn't drawing in fresh air) help to protect from carbon monoxide? I've sat in a running car for hour before, but it was in an open area. I suppose using a 15-min ON, 45-min OFF (if you could tolerate it) would be smart and make the fuel last a lot longer. I could use the seat heaters to keep things warm, but not with the engine off or it would kill the battery.
I'm wondering if I should go ahead and pack some kindling and maybe my old .22 to hunt down my dinner if I'm lost in a snow drift!
Actually, I really don't want to find myself in some sort of extreme cold wilderness survival situation! I'm thinking a hotel (or motel or anything with heat and a bed) sounds pretty darn good,too.
Are there motels along I-79 between the intersection with US-19N and Morgantown? Is that what you're referring to as 'the mountains'?
I'd say "the mountains" start in Northern North Carolina, when you start to climb up the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge to Fancy Gap VA. Call it the last 10-15 miles in NC. Then all the way thru VA on I-77, and all of I-77, US-19, and I-79 pretty much into Pittsburgh.
While there aren't a half-dozen motels at every exit (like it seems to be down South), you'll find a motel or two every two or three exits. On 19N, there are several in both Fayetteville and Summersville. Once on 79N, there's a couple around Sutton, and several in Clarksburg, Fairmont, and Morgantown.
I'd say "the mountains" start in Northern North Carolina, when you start to climb up the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge to Fancy Gap VA. Call it the last 10-15 miles in NC. Then all the way thru VA on I-77, and all of I-77, US-19, and I-79 pretty much into Pittsburgh.
While there aren't a half-dozen motels at every exit (like it seems to be down South), you'll find a motel or two every two or three exits. On 19N, there are several in both Fayetteville and Summersville. Once on 79N, there's a couple around Sutton, and several in Clarksburg, Fairmont, and Morgantown.
Thanks, that makes me feel better. Although I don't want to spend a moment longer than absolutely necessary in Summersville (The Speeding Ticket Capital of the World).....I'm planning to coast thru at 2-3mph under the limit and move along. If I even stopped for gas, they would find some way to ticket me!
I'm actually hoping to stop and check out the bridge in Fayetteville. If I don't feel like taking the time going up, I'll be driving back on Feb 22nd and can do it then.
As far as the mountains you mention, I'll actually be going thru Knoxville, TN then on thru Bristol, VA on I-81 until I pick up I-77. I live so far north of Atlanta that I-75 via TN is about 40 miles shorter than the route via Charlotte and Greensboro. I also HATE the drive from Atlanta to Charlotte, I used to do it for work about six times per year (and then on to Raleigh after a week in Charlotte).
But I get the idea. It looks like I'll start hitting the mountains in the vicinity of where I-81 and I-77 intersect, correct? And then it's all mountains the rest of the way? Cool as long as the snow holds off. My best friend has driven it three times since he moved to Pittsburgh last August and he says it's a great drive.
I actually made the trip back in 1994, when I was 19. One of my best friends was interviewing with a college (for admission) in Phillipi, WV. But all I remember is driving in a nasty red Buick Skylark rental and getting a ticket in VA (learned my lesson about VA). We drove up one day, he interviewed the next morning and we turned around and drove all the way back home. He didn't get in, btw.
When I first thought about driving up, I was kinda surprised that the largest city I'll be going through is Knoxville, TN! I never realized how close Pittsburgh was to WV and OH....actually, I'd never given Pittsburgh a second thought until he moved up there. I actually a pretty nice city, definitely not what I expected. The people seem very nice, too...a lot like North Georgia.
I spent Thanksgiving week up there, but for some reason I can't seem to orient myself and figure out where anything is located. I travel a lot for work and I visit my cousin in Los Angeles a few times per year. I was driving around L.A. after just a few days. But try to find my way ANYWHERE in Pittsburgh without Navigation and I'd be lost forever! I was stunned that drivers up there use turn signals and actually let you merge when you signal (rather than rush and block you like they do in LA or Atlanta). That may have threw me off my game and be the reason I couldn't find my way around immediately. I'm so used to adapting to the drivers wherever I go (and it usually means I have to be more aggressive and less courteous than I would like to be) and I rarely find a city where people aren't in a constant rush to get everywhere no matter who or what they plow over to get there!
I've only had very limited exposure to WV, but I've heard that they're decent folk also! This is my first time driving anywhere more than four hours from Atlanta in well over a decade, so it's going to be an experience...a fun one, I think/hope.
BTW, I read thru all of that link that you gave me earlier about packing and Emergency Kit and be prepared for severe weather. The only thing that threw me a little was the suggestion to use a candle inside a can to heat the car rather than using the car's heater.....all I'm seeing is the car in flames as I sit in the snow waiting for no one to come! Other than that, I took the lazy route and bought a Deluxe Severe Winter Weather Vehicle Kit from AAA (has first aid, cold weather survival and road flares and jumper cables) since it came with a one-year AAA membership for $80.
So this should be fun....and the weather forecast could change for better or worse between now and then. But I think I've done all I can in advance to make sure I'm prepared. I had my tires rotated and balanced today and then I changed the coolant myself to make sure my car is ready for the freakin' cold temps! Actually, I had to change it because I installed a new thermostat. Mine was sticking open, which I discovered because the air from the heater wouldn't get more than lukewarm when it happened and my car drank gas, too. But all seems to be in working order now...
I am driving from North GA to Pittsburgh on 2/10/16. The current 10-day forecast shows 1-3 inches of snow (60% chance) from Beckley all the way to Pittsburgh. I realize that it's way too far out to put much faith into the forecast. But if that was the case, what would my trip along US-19N, then I-79 be like?
Thanks in advance for your input!
It all depends. In general, no it shouldn't be a problem. However if that snow is coming down in an hour or two, that could be an issue. Spread out over a day, you're fine
As far as the mountains you mention, I'll actually be going thru Knoxville, TN then on thru Bristol, VA on I-81 until I pick up I-77. I live so far north of Atlanta that I-75 via TN is about 40 miles shorter than the route via Charlotte and Greensboro. I also HATE the drive from Atlanta to Charlotte, I used to do it for work about six times per year (and then on to Raleigh after a week in Charlotte).
But I get the idea. It looks like I'll start hitting the mountains in the vicinity of where I-81 and I-77 intersect, correct? And then it's all mountains the rest of the way? Cool as long as the snow holds off. My best friend has driven it three times since he moved to Pittsburgh last August and he says it's a great drive.
I-81 runs along a broad valley, with the Smokies and Blue Ridge to your right. A nice, mostly level, mostly straight drive, lots of tractor trailers. At Wytheville VA you'll turn on to I-77N, and begin to cross the Allegheny Mountains. You'll only be in VA (watch your speed!) for about 40 miles, then you'll climb a mountain and go thru a tunnel; the north end of the tunnel is WV.
By the way, from Princeton to Beckley is the WV Turnpike, a toll road. It accepts EZ-Pass, if you have that. Otherwise have some bills and some change handy.
I-81 runs along a broad valley, with the Smokies and Blue Ridge to your right. A nice, mostly level, mostly straight drive, lots of tractor trailers. At Wytheville VA you'll turn on to I-77N, and begin to cross the Allegheny Mountains. You'll only be in VA (watch your speed!) for about 40 miles, then you'll climb a mountain and go thru a tunnel; the north end of the tunnel is WV.
By the way, from Princeton to Beckley is the WV Turnpike, a toll road. It accepts EZ-Pass, if you have that. Otherwise have some bills and some change handy.
Thank you. YES, I have been warned and am well aware NOT to speed in Virginia! They're brutal, too much so in my opinion, but they're also the only state that prohibits radar detectors. I'd never survive living there.
I've also been warned about US-19- keep it a few mph under the speed limit, especially near Fayetteville and Summersville. I'll be using my cruise control a lot more than I normally do. And it will keep me from going more than 8-10mph over in the rest of West Virginia, which should keep me under the radar (figuratively and literally).
Living in Georgia all of my life has spoiled me a little as far as speed limits and tickets go. In GA, speeding less than 15mph over the limit is a ZERO point violation. The only place you have to worry about getting a ticket for under 15mph over is in 'speed trap' towns who want the $$$ or if it involved an accident. I've never known of a State Trooper writing a ticket unless it was 15 over or more. So in 70mph zones (interstates outside of metro Atlanta) you're safe up to 84mph.
Tennessee is pretty laid back about speeding also. The most that a first speeding ticket can cost is $50 and they don't issue anything unless it's 10mph over. I've made it thru the entire state on I-24 and across on I-40 with the cruise set on 85 without a hitch.
But I know to slam on the brakes when I get to the VA line.....
I knew there were some tolls along my route, but the only one I knew for certain was when I exit I-81 to US-19N. But I always travel with at least $100 cash just in case I need it. I learned that one the hard way when I was stuck for several hours at LAX and all of their credit card machines were down. The ATMs wouldn't work either. I had $7 in my wallet and that might get you one bottle of water in an airport. Lesson learned....
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