I'm hoping I might be able to attend the Fall rally, but I need to be in Raleigh, NC by noon of Wed. Sept. 24th. It is about 700 miles, so I think if I can cover about 200 miles a day I can do it.
However, looking at Google maps, it looks like I'll be going thru the mountains (probably Smoky or Adirondacks) when passing thru W. Va. I will still be a newbie at that time, so I'm wondering if anyone has traveled the route from Goshen, IN to Raleigh NC (I64 and I77) and what it's like?
Also, other than asking you kind folks here, are there other resources that would tell me what a route is like to drive?
Thanks!
Lucky Mike said
07:14 PM Apr 7, 2014
those are nice roads thru there if you want an early peak...use google earth mapping and you can look at it the whole way....
outside of lower PA. there are really no big hills or mountain areas on the east coast to worry about within the interstate systems
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 7th of April 2014 07:15:12 PM
RickandJanice said
07:42 PM Apr 7, 2014
I-64 is very nice, with easy grades and gentle curves and will help you get comfortable with your rig and how it handles on some rolling interstate highway conditions. I-77 through West Virginia has allot of turns that are what I would call kind of "sharp" for an interstate highway but not bad, just need to slow down to the marked speed for the curves or slightly less and you will be OK. I-77 in W.V. also has two tunnels over one mile long and a few decent grades with truck lanes for climbing the grades slowly if you need them. You will also have several toll booths in W.V. as it is a toll road, but just use the truck lane and you will have plenty of room at the booths. However, if you do not get in a hurry, it is a beautiful drive and once I-77 exits W.V. it is and easy drive. This is a good route to gently break you in to your rig and get you comfortable with your driving abilities before your head out west.
Cindi said
07:49 PM Apr 7, 2014
Cheryl,
There is only one spot on this route that I don't very much like driving through. Going South on I-77 there is a 6% grade between Fancy Gap, VA and the North Carolina state line for about 7 miles. I have had some bad fog in this area early in the AM and it is sometimes windy. Don't try to bypass this on Route 52 as it is closed to vehicles over 16,000 # between Fancy Gap, VA and Mount Airy, NC.
The rest of the route should be a lovely drive.
Bill and Linda said
08:52 AM Apr 8, 2014
Cheryl:
We have driven this route, including “Fancy Gap,” more times than we can count.You will be fine.When you come to the top of the mountain and start down, just slow down, down shift the truck and don’t ride the brakes.Apply the brakes firmly and slow down 10 to 15 miles an hour and then let the speed creep back up. Just don’t let the speed get away from you.
This is no big deal if you simply don’t let the speed build up.Just don’t ride the brakes all the way down.Apply firmly, don’t stomp on them, apply firmly, and then release.This keeps them from building up heat.A 6% grade isn’t really all that steep and people drive this all the time with RV’s. Keep your speed down and if you feel your going too slow then turn on your flashers. This is a interstate quality route all the way via the route you described. There is a rest area at the bottom just after you cross into North Carolina. You can stop there and congratulate yourself on your first mountain descent.
It really is a very pretty drive.Enjoy the adventure.
I'm hoping I might be able to attend the Fall rally, but I need to be in Raleigh, NC by noon of Wed. Sept. 24th. It is about 700 miles, so I think if I can cover about 200 miles a day I can do it.
However, looking at Google maps, it looks like I'll be going thru the mountains (probably Smoky or Adirondacks) when passing thru W. Va. I will still be a newbie at that time, so I'm wondering if anyone has traveled the route from Goshen, IN to Raleigh NC (I64 and I77) and what it's like?
Also, other than asking you kind folks here, are there other resources that would tell me what a route is like to drive?
Thanks!
those are nice roads thru there if you want an early peak...use google earth mapping and you can look at it the whole way....
outside of lower PA. there are really no big hills or mountain areas on the east coast to worry about within the interstate systems
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Monday 7th of April 2014 07:15:12 PM
There is only one spot on this route that I don't very much like driving through. Going South on I-77 there is a 6% grade between Fancy Gap, VA and the North Carolina state line for about 7 miles. I have had some bad fog in this area early in the AM and it is sometimes windy. Don't try to bypass this on Route 52 as it is closed to vehicles over 16,000 # between Fancy Gap, VA and Mount Airy, NC.
The rest of the route should be a lovely drive.
Cheryl:
We have driven this route, including “Fancy Gap,” more times than we can count. You will be fine. When you come to the top of the mountain and start down, just slow down, down shift the truck and don’t ride the brakes. Apply the brakes firmly and slow down 10 to 15 miles an hour and then let the speed creep back up. Just don’t let the speed get away from you.
This is no big deal if you simply don’t let the speed build up. Just don’t ride the brakes all the way down. Apply firmly, don’t stomp on them, apply firmly, and then release. This keeps them from building up heat. A 6% grade isn’t really all that steep and people drive this all the time with RV’s. Keep your speed down and if you feel your going too slow then turn on your flashers. This is a interstate quality route all the way via the route you described. There is a rest area at the bottom just after you cross into North Carolina. You can stop there and congratulate yourself on your first mountain descent.
It really is a very pretty drive. Enjoy the adventure.