Trip route question
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2018
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Trip route question
I’m planning a trip from Buffalo, NY to Orlando, FL leaving Buffalo the end of Jan. I don’t want to pull the 5er thru the mountains. I was thinking of going over near Cincinnati before heading south. Would I be better using I 75 or going further west to I 65?
Last year we down and stopped in Nashville, but this year we’re not stopping there.
Thanks.
Last year we down and stopped in Nashville, but this year we’re not stopping there.
Thanks.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2018
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Just rather not drive in mountains in late Jan with possible crappy weather. Why do it, if I don’t have to? Not in a huge hurry, just trying to keep miles down as much as possible to save at the pump.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Scott proposed the path I would suggest as well. As soon as you can get to I-95, do so. Once you are east of Cherokee NF area, you are good to go, if avoiding the mountains is your course of travel.
We live in north GA and travel all over east of the Mississippi each year and every other year we travel out west to AZ, ID and WA towing our 5th wheel. I get it about wanting to avoid the mountains during the winter, even if they are eastern mountains. I always laugh when people say that the east doesn't have mountains, but then I remind them that above sea level elevations and grade ratings are the same nation wide. Besides, it is not a competition and even if it were, who wins... Mother Nature?
Travel safe, drive slow and you will have a good time.
We live in north GA and travel all over east of the Mississippi each year and every other year we travel out west to AZ, ID and WA towing our 5th wheel. I get it about wanting to avoid the mountains during the winter, even if they are eastern mountains. I always laugh when people say that the east doesn't have mountains, but then I remind them that above sea level elevations and grade ratings are the same nation wide. Besides, it is not a competition and even if it were, who wins... Mother Nature?
Travel safe, drive slow and you will have a good time.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2021
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He means Charleston area but I vote this too. Just be patient in SC. People love to drive crazy on 95 in SC.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2020
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If you choose to go west there are still some steep areas to traverse on 75. 65 would be much flatter but just remember, anything icy around Nashville will shut down the entire area, if not the whole state.
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Cross-Country
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Route question
We went the west way near Nashville last year. It was very cold when we were there, but fortunately no ice! I had thought about that.
Thanks
Thanks
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FTE Legend
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From: Angier, NC
I dont remember mountains coming down I95 from CT to Raleigh NC back in 2015 when I moved down here?
I did the trip 3 times down with a loaded car trailer and empty up 2 times in the move.
With out looking at a map I would stick to main high ways like NY state 87 down to I95 and I95 the rest of the way down.
The reason is the main high ways up north will be treated better in bad weather, same with I95 till you get a little south of say maybe MD where they may not get a lot of bad weather.
I can tell you hare in NC, Raleigh area, we dont have a lot of equipment for the weather and as was said it shuts down till it passes, roads clear by them selves. They do get out and treat the high ways before the weather comes through but during and after is a crap shoot.
And dont go to far off the main roads as they are not treated at all.
BTW I drive a big rig, 10,000 gallons of LP gas, with in NC and if there is ice / snow on the ground we dont leave the yard till its clear if that tells you anything.
Be careful take your time and if you need to, stop till its clear to move on.
Dave ----
I did the trip 3 times down with a loaded car trailer and empty up 2 times in the move.
With out looking at a map I would stick to main high ways like NY state 87 down to I95 and I95 the rest of the way down.
The reason is the main high ways up north will be treated better in bad weather, same with I95 till you get a little south of say maybe MD where they may not get a lot of bad weather.
I can tell you hare in NC, Raleigh area, we dont have a lot of equipment for the weather and as was said it shuts down till it passes, roads clear by them selves. They do get out and treat the high ways before the weather comes through but during and after is a crap shoot.
And dont go to far off the main roads as they are not treated at all.
BTW I drive a big rig, 10,000 gallons of LP gas, with in NC and if there is ice / snow on the ground we dont leave the yard till its clear if that tells you anything.
Be careful take your time and if you need to, stop till its clear to move on.
Dave ----
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From: Frederick, MD
I was on I 81 again yesterday and was thinking about this, It really is not mountainous to me. While there are some grades, it is pretty tame.
I 95 on the other, even on a good day is clogged and a mess with traffic jams all the way to at least Frederickburg, VA or maybe even to Richmond, VA.
I 95 on the other, even on a good day is clogged and a mess with traffic jams all the way to at least Frederickburg, VA or maybe even to Richmond, VA.
FTE Legend
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From: Angier, NC
Where is the bypass, I thought it was around that area, been a few years since I been up that way to remember.
In bad weather I would think there would be less traffic out, road maintained better than some less traveled road that also may not be maintained as well but thats me.
I also lived just out side NYC in CT, 1/4 mile to I95, and any race track I had to go to was down I95 so traffic was not a big deal as you had to deal with it to get over the Hudson river either by GWB or Tapzee bridges.
Each their own I guess and you pick your evil
Dave ----
In bad weather I would think there would be less traffic out, road maintained better than some less traveled road that also may not be maintained as well but thats me.
I also lived just out side NYC in CT, 1/4 mile to I95, and any race track I had to go to was down I95 so traffic was not a big deal as you had to deal with it to get over the Hudson river either by GWB or Tapzee bridges.
Each their own I guess and you pick your evil
Dave ----
Laughing Gas
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Regarding Richmond, some use 295, some use 95. Old I-95 is narrower and goes through Richmond, but to me is generally better. Virginia's DOT engineers had no idea how to design a bridge transition when 295 was built. You will literally launch at each bridge and hope your rig stays attached. The older transitions on 95 are far smoother when towing.
The smoothest bridge of length I've ever towed across is the new Oregon Inlet bridge in the Outer Banks of NC. That one is smooth as glass!
The smoothest bridge of length I've ever towed across is the new Oregon Inlet bridge in the Outer Banks of NC. That one is smooth as glass!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2021
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From: Wisconsin
I-65 to nashville then I-24 to chattanoga takes You over Mount Eagle .. While not a hugh mountain it does have 6% grades up and down !!
From buffalo I-90 to I-71 to I-75 isn't bad not flat but not real steep either .. Much less traffic then I-95 .. Of Your choices that may be the best !!
Good Luck .
Steve
From buffalo I-90 to I-71 to I-75 isn't bad not flat but not real steep either .. Much less traffic then I-95 .. Of Your choices that may be the best !!
Good Luck .
Steve
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