help me pick a route (and sights) for SE Ohio, WV and VA

[Otter74]

I'm taking the last week of the month off to drive down to Atlanta and spend some time with my mom. Because I have the time, rather than taking the appliance and driving down I-65/I-24/I-75, I plan to take the 911 (assuming I don't have a wheel bearing issue that I won't have time to address) and drive with some expediency to the Hocking Hills part of Ohio, then into WV and then down the spine of the Appalachians to north Georgia.

Since I spent the latter half of my childhood in Atlanta, I am pretty familiar with the far western part of North Carolina, and north Georgia. However, I have more or less no familiarity with anything past about Asheville, NC. Not VA or WV at all.

I don't doubt that I can make a decent drive out of just looking at my maps and maybe some googling, but it seemed worth asking y'all for some beta.

I don't need hours and hours of TotD-style curves, though I'm happy with some of that. Just some nice, scenic and fun roads that hopefully aren't too full of slow drivers or police. Lots of nice 40-55mph roads would do.

I plan to do this in either two or maybe three days (from Chicago to Atlanta), so worthwhile places to stop are of interest, too.Then on the way home I'll stop in Nashville to visit a friend and see the Lane museum.

[Seahawk]

I can't help much from Chicago to this area:



Long first day to the Kingsport, TN local. There are so many nice roads in the area above it is hard to fit them all in. It is really a lovely part of the country. The company I am part owner of is in Morganton, NC and I spend two weeks a month there. I have driven all through Boone, Banner Elk, Spruce Pine, LS, etc. many times on Sunday drives.

Once you get past I40, do try and drive back roads to Lake Lure. My Sister has a house outside Brevard and when I go see her from Morganton I like to drive through there. Touristy but cute.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

This could get you into a pretty meandering detour.
How do you plan on coming through West Va?
For example, are you going through Charleston?
If you are, or are planning on taking 64 east from there I would instead suggest 60 east through Gauley Bridge to White Sulfur Springs (Greenbrier resort). It follows the river basin (beautiful) through the valley instead of the interstate (toll road).
I think a lot of this depends on how you want to go through WVa, and where you want to enter into Va and head south. I may be suggesting things a little too north for you.

Also, If you plan on going a more southerly route, I have always found I-26 a good interstate stretch to drive on from Johnson City to Asheville. Beautiful mountains, but can still make good time straight into Asheville.

It is easy to get bogged down in endless twisties in these areas!

[ckelly78z]

Tail of the dragon is a good drive in Southern Tennesee.

[Otter74]

Thanks - I have no idea yet. If I go directly from Chicago to Atlanta, it's an easy 11-12 hours drive I've done tons of times. I may not need to split it into more than two days if I don't get *too* bogged down in endless twisties. It's good to know about Interstates that are an enjoyable, scenic drive that you can still make good time on on the way to more secondary roads. I don't want to do the whole drive in 2nd and 3rd gear, obviously. I'll look at your suggestion and see what it does to driving time.

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

This could get you into a pretty meandering detour.
How do you plan on coming through West Va?
For example, are you going through Charleston?
If you are, or are planning on taking 64 east from there I would instead suggest 60 east through Gauley Bridge to White Sulfur Springs (Greenbrier resort). It follows the river basin (beautiful) through the valley instead of the interstate (toll road).
I think a lot of this depends on how you want to go through WVa, and where you want to enter into Va and head south. I may be suggesting things a little too north for you.

Also, If you plan on going a more southerly route, I have always found I-26 a good interstate stretch to drive on from Johnson City to Asheville. Beautiful mountains, but can still make good time straight into Asheville.

It is easy to get bogged down in endless twisties in these areas!

[Rtrorkt]

don't miss this little gem of a road 231 between Sperryville and Madision, VA https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Madison,+VA/Sperryville,+VA+22740/@38.5297031,-78.2597145,11.4z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b4156d6394034f:0xc41 b6999c1f2d987!2m2!1d-78.2575035!2d38.3804062!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b43191faca99 7f:0xa706a98af908ad75!2m2!1d-78.2261389!2d38.6570525 If you decide this, then Montpelier is nearby as is Monticello. If you are a Jefferson design fan, then Popular Forest. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Thomas+Jefferson's+Poplar+Forest/@37.3484814,-79.2691766,16.2z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b2d19f641275c3:0x535450175b4f4 07c!8m2!3d37.3479074!4d-79.2645398 Plenty of good roads, oh and you are getting within striking distance of VIR

[asphaltgambler]

^^^^^^^^ great recommendation^^^^^^^^^^^. Also depending on where / what roads you plan to transverse- Skyline Drive starts in Front Royal, Va runs roughly North / South but you're not locked in the entire way. Many crossroads as you go.

[greglepore]

211 to 231...

33 thru Seneca Rocks is not to be missed either, and across the mountains, as is 250. Lots of choices. I could drive/motorcycle that part of the world for the rest of my days.

[wdfifteen]

In SE Ohio, pick up Rt 56 out of Hocking hills, to Athens, a short run up 33 to Rt 550. Take 550 to Marietta, then you are near I-77. You'll probably be tired of back roads by then, so you can take 77 south to rack up some miles on a scenic interstate. After that, I don't know.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by greglepore

211 to 231...

33 thru Seneca Rocks is not to be missed either, and across the mountains, as is 250. Lots of choices. I could drive/motorcycle that part of the world for the rest of my days.

+1 for RT 250 running from the Elkin area of WVa to Monterey VA. Then run the valley south. Very nice run. As per Seahawks map RT 226 and 226A in NC in the Little Switzerland area is fun as is 221. Good lunch to be had in Blowing Rock NC.

[Otter74]

Thanks for these! I'll mark them on my maps as I start planning my route.

Worst case is that I will have to drive my SE-R instead of the 911, but obviously I'd prefer the 911 with the top off.

[blucille]

Don't drive in VA if you Can avoid it.....WV has nothing but great roads.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Someone mentioned route 250 in Va. If you do make it to Va somehow....
Here are several pics of when I commuted every friday out to Monterey Va on 250.
There were about 5 mountain ranges to cross from Staunton Area, including the two right in front of my SC in the first pic.
Best. Commute. Ever.

[Otter74]

That is one hell of a commute.

[FastCarFan]

Here's info about a GREAT road in SE Ohio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_State_Route_26