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In traveling from western NY to coastal SC next week and I've for 2 routes I can't decide which would be better and I'm hoping you may have helpful current info. (traffic, construction, speed traps, delays)
For comparison let's say I'm leaving Erie, PA and going to wytheville, va.
Route 1 takes I79 South through PA, to US 19 to I77. I've read a lot of bad things about US19 (worlds longest speed trap etc..) this is the shortest mileage and most direct route.
Or
Route 2, continue west on I90 to I271 before Cleveland to I77 South the whole way. This route is 40-50 miles farther but it's all interstate.
Which is the better route?
Are there any current major construction projects?
Is19 really as bad as it's made out to be?
Is one route much more curvy and hilly than the other? Kids get carsick... I plan to give drammine though.
Thanks.
And PS your state is awesome. Its beautiful. If I could ever find a job I would move in a second.
Can't give you much advice on the Northern part of your trip but for I-77 in West Virginia here's some you could use.
For your car sick folks the part from outside Charleston to the N.C. line will be the worst. From Charleston to Beckley 77 runs the ravine and is narrow and twisty and is heavily patrolled, it's also a toll road with 3 total toll booth stops until Virginia. Stop for fuel before you get past Charleston, you have to pay to get off in the ravine and there's not many options for fuel except for the one Safety Plaza which charges a fortune for fuel (think NY State Throughway).
After Beckley it's mountains, big ones, with 2 really cool tunnles in Virginia before 77 combines with I-81 North for a short bit, then eventually one big drop down to the North Carolina line.
*Check the weather before you go* If it's raining be ready for some really thick fog, possibly. There have been some really horrible wrecks on I-77 on the last mountain down to the N.C. line.
There is a major work project the last 9 miles of I-77 that I know is affecting Northbound, not sure about Southbound, you may want to look into that.
Take Route 19. Yes it is a speed trap around Summersville (I think it drops of 35 mph), but it's a significantly easier drive than I-77. If your kids get carsick, I-77 is probably one of the worse interstates in the country to take them on. It's cut through deep, winding valleys between Charleston and Beckley. Not to mention that Route 19 will take you over the New River Gorge Bridge
Make sure to stop at the scenic overlook for New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville.
It's easy to get off and on Route 19 and the view is worth your time. The visitors center also has a lot of educational materials on both the bridge and West Virginia.
Not to mention walking out to the overlook is a great, quick way to walk around for a little and stretch.
I ended up taking I79 to US19 to I77 and it went fine. 19 is a nice road. Definitely want through multiple speed traps near summersville and I think Fayetteville so I was fairly close to the speed limit (5 over) and no issues.
Thanks for the feedback everyone it was helpful.
For what it's worth I liked the stretch of i79 from Morgantown, fairmont, Bridgeport etc.. I'm half tempted to see if there are any jobs that would be a fit.
Glad you enjoyed it. That area is nice. Some high tech, govt, higher ed and med jobs.
For future reference for drivers... speed traps are bad and getting worse in smaller off the beaten path towns in WV and with no industry this is sadly becoming the sole source of growing revenue. So if you are an out of state driver be extra cautious.
To add a little bit more definitely be respectful of state driving laws but also be aware that some of the on the way to somewhere else towns that aren’t reaping the rewards of tourism are worth avoiding because they will nickel and dime you for very minor infractions. Your out of state tag flashes to them like bait and you will pay a tourist tax. Especially in places on the way to Snowshoe and surrounding areas. We need and want you to come back and that’s not a shared mentality in some areas.
I just drove through WV again coming back from Florida.
I actually stayed over night in Morgantown and thought it was really nice. Everyone was super friendly and generally happy. You guys have a good thing going on there.
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