Vacation road trip, back way or highway ?

[fastfredracing]

For the last 20 years, We do the Outer Banks every September. Ive probably done this drive 50 times in my life .
There are 2 ways to go, I can blast down into DC, and battle it out on the DC Beltway, and I 95 the whole way. On paper, this is the most direct route, and the fastest route. However, it is just a horrible drive, with cops waiting in prey the whole way, heavy 3 lane interstate traffic, and I have never ever once made that trip without some sort of traffic accident related back up, or construction .
This route is 10 hours on paper, if...... no back ups or accidents
I like to go the back way. 2 hours on the Pa turnpike, then we drop down through some really beautiful secondary roads through rural Virginia. The traffic is minimal, and the scenery is really pleasant , passing through some nice little towns, and mixed highway, and great rural driving roads .
This route often takes us 13+ hours.
My buddy often follows us down, and complains about the extra drive time every year
I say, I would rather remotely enjoy 13 hours, than suffer through 10.
This year, we are travelling with a 1 year old. We are going to make the drive at night while he sleeps, so I may just jump on the highway, and save the time .
I like to make the journey part of the experience. He just bellyaches about it the whole time
How do you like to roll ?

[flatbutt]

On the way out I usually blast on the slab then meander on the way home.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

On the way out I usually blast on the slab then meander on the way home.

I'm the opposite.

If there's only a 3 hour difference, there is no choice. Tell the bub to drive his way and you'll go your way. In the end, you're all together.

[widgeon13]

Take the back way. Life is too short to fight traffic and not see and smell the roses.

[tevake]

For the overnight drive the traffic on the highways is usually a lot better than daytime crush. Plus not much sightseeing to be done in the country drive. Probably more risk of critters in the road in the countryside at night.

Daytime driving definately the country back way pleasure drive.

Cheers Richard

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

On the way out I usually blast on the slab then meander on the way home.

I am, like Zeke, the opposite as well. I'll meander down, make it part of the journey, but want the absolute time efficient way home at the end of vacay.

Funny how different folks view the same problem.

I had to plan a bit:



Avoid DC at all costs. Also, plan on Norfolk traffic at certain times of day.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

For the last 20 years, We do the Outer Banks every September. Ive probably done this drive 50 times in my life .
....?

My last visit was 21 years ago...this week .....sorry I missed ya Fred . Nothing remains the same, but it was depressing to see what happens when TOO many folks discover a deserted paradise imo....opening the northern route, bridges, and too many people had changed what was ...forever....and not in a good way. They are all shortcuts now...enjoy your vacation Fred....I wish you could have experienced what I did as a kid though !

[Scott Douglas]

I say be thankful you have a choice.
I have to either get up at o'dark thirty or spend 3+hours just to get to the Grape Vine on my way north.

[Baz]

Back in the 60's when we lived in Norfolk we'd hit the Outer Banks once a year for a weekend getaway - same as the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I remember body surfing and how much salt water got up into my sinuses....ha.

Good times........

Have fun Fred and family!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Baz

Back in the 60's when we lived in Norfolk we'd hit the Outer Banks once a year for a weekend getaway - same as the Blue Ridge Mountains.

....!

Were you the kid I saw there in '66 ?

Remember when you could literally walk for miles in either direction an only encounter an occasional surf fisher....if anyone? Except when the Blues were running...beaches were packed with probably a dozen folks fishing

I had those childhood memories Baz....but didn't go for a couple of decades, and could NOT believe how much it had changed.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I am, like Zeke, the opposite as well. I'll meander down, make it part of the journey, but want the absolute time efficient way home at the end of vacay.

Funny how different folks view the same problem.

I had to plan a bit:



Avoid DC at all costs. Also, plan on Norfolk traffic at certain times of day.

Seahawk's southern wv route takes you down 250, which I used to commute, and past my place on Afton. It's the way I'd go for a driving experience- but with a one year old in the car, perhaps not!

[LEAKYSEALS951]

another gratuitous afton va pic:



more breweries in this valley than your liver can handle- again-probably not good for one year old. That being said- any 10 hour trip for a one year old is going to be a challenge! Good luck!

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by KC911

My last visit was 21 years ago...this week .....sorry I missed ya Fred . Nothing remains the same, but it was depressing to see what happens when TOO many folks discover a deserted paradise imo....opening the northern route, bridges, and too many people had changed what was ...forever....and not in a good way. They are all shortcuts now...enjoy your vacation Fred....I wish you could have experienced what I did as a kid though !

Agreed, 100% It used to be a special getaway place for me . I started going there in 90 , when I was still dreaming of being a surfer . Used to spend most of our time on the southern end of the island, which was still fairly remote, and desolate . We would always camp on the beach surf and swim and fish all day . It stayed that way for a while, but within the last 7 years, it has blown up everywhere. I almost do not even like it anymore .
I also wish I could have experienced what it once was, but I think that I may have caught the tail end of that .

[PcarPhil]

Here's the "Avoid Highways" route!

[supdaf]

don't know when you are leaving but be aware, hurricane Florence will almost certainly be a big influence this September.

[KFC911]

^^^ Yep....don't even consider heading that way until after this thing passes Fred....by the upcomng weekend probably. And if you ignore my advice....take yer surfboard . Back in college....this storm would have had my few surfer buddies heading to Nags Head...

[DanielDudley]

Drive carefully, have fun. Sounds like a great time.

[wayner]

I’ve “ meandered” for about 60,000 miles in the last year.

On Lots of occasion I’ve considered myself lucky to be alive and miraculously no fur in my front end.

Now, night time driving is on Interstates, no exceptions!
( daytime is always off the beaten path)

[Seahawk]

I like the below, especially the route around Norfolk and Rte 17.

Originally Posted by Kaefer

Here's the "Avoid Highways" route!

I drive from Leoardtown, MD to Yorktown twice a month. Here is the route I take:



Rte 17 is very quiet and almost empty between towns. Four lanes.

You will hit stop lights from Gloucester to Yorktown, about 12 mikes worth, but they are well timed.

[ckelly78z]

Life is about the journey, not necesarily about the destination...I hate the interstates, especially in intense, heavy, aggressive traffic, and would much rather enjoy myself while traveling, and arrive stress free.