500 miles on I-81

[matthewb0051]

I have to get to a funeral next week in Knoxville TN (I'm in the DC metro). So its a straight shot down I-81. I would rather eat a turd! The 18 wheelers are horrible on that road and the traffic is relentless until the TN line. And let's not forget about the cops in Wythe County area.

I have a back route that I use and it works out to near the same time.

Toying with the idea of driving my '69 911. Its totally up for the drive but the creature comfort is lacking compared to my 996. Also, should I need to drive on I-81 the 996 has the power.

I did Syracuse to DC about 10 years ago. Same interstate but less traffic up there.

Really on the fence about this one. Any thoughts? I have the go box of spares ready and just drove over 6 hours to Hershey and back last month.

Oh, and my plates are vintage and supposedly have a 250 mile limit... But I will be visiting my mechanic in Knoxville

[GH85Carrera]

I have been to the western end of I-40 and almost to the eastern end of I-40. For me 900 miles to the west on I-40 is Flagstaff, AZ. 900 miles to the east is Marville, TN which is at the beginning of the "tail of the Dragon".

It is varied scenery, but the trucks are are thick, and the left lane driver's are constant. My 1985 911 eats up the miles. I have done the one day drive to Flagstaff three times. I have done the trip to Maryville twice. Both are not the destination, just the motel for the night and keep going the next day.

Good luck on your road trip.

[rfuerst911sc]

I go from GA. to N.Y. once a year in July and eventually catch I81 and follow it into N.Y. so I know your angst . It has been pretty warm down here and with the recent rains very humid , so with that and assuming the AC works in your 996 I would suggest that car over the older 911 . If you were talking spring or fall my suggestion would be different . If you get caught in someone elses wreck and have to sit in traffic not moving you will be a wet rag in the 911 . Good luck with the trip .

[KFC911]

No comment on the routes, but I'm sitting in my F150 now because of rain...and this system is gonna take a few daze to clear...maybe your trip is afterwards. That would impact my decision....

edited: Beautiful 911 !

[Seahawk]

Beautiful car!

The ten day weather forecast for Knoxville shows high 80's, low 90's and humid...not my cup of tea.

That said, if you can handle the weather and you alternative route is viable, sounds like fun!

Nice choice to have, btw!

[beatnavy]

I-81 is painful. You get stuck behind the one 18 wheelers in the fast lane trying to pass the other 18 wheeler in the slow lane, and it takes like 5 miles for that to happen. So it's like 85 mph, then down to 55 for a few miles, back up to 85, etc. etc.

I have a kid at V Tech (soon two of them) and drive the 4 hours from Northern VA to Blacksburg. I've done it in SUV's and in my 997 convertible. The 997 is a LOT more bearable from a driving experience standpoint especially on a nice day - the ability to change lanes and accelerate around slower traffic rapidly makes it more tolerable. It's GOOD to have that power on that road. BUT...it also takes a lot more concentration, and my back can only handle about 2 hours at a time in my 997. And if the weather is lousy...ugh.

In terms of your 996 vs. the '69, I personally would go with your 996 for that long a drive on that road.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

I have a back route that I use and it works out to near the same time.

I'd love to see that route. I have family in south west Virginia and if I can skip even a chunk of 81 … I use the BRP a lot.

[asphaltgambler]

You can use the scenic route - at least some of the way. When heading West on I66, exit at Gainesville - take Rt29 South to Charlottsville - then go west. It will take you back to I-81 at the lower end of Va.

Be prepared for some congestion as that is a popular route, but a nice alternative if you have a little extra time. Much better if during the week. Use one of the map / driving directions - Starting in Warrenton, Va - it should give you an idea of time / and route.

[vash]

beautiful car!!

not me..i would drive something totally "appliance". stay under the radar.

[cairns]

I would rather drive 1-81 than I-95 and frequently use it to go to NC even though it's a bit longer. From Richmond to DC is pure hell. BTW I LOVE your car.

[beatnavy]

Originally Posted by cairns

I would rather drive 1-81 than I-95 and frequently use it to go to NC even though it's a bit longer. From Richmond to DC is pure hell.

Yes, I will give you that. I-95 between DC and Richmond absolutely sucks, almost any day or time.

[Skytrooper]

I drive 81 from ny to winchester, va 5-6 times a year. Harrisburg to Winchester is a miserable drive with all the trucks backing up the traffic flow. On the other spectrum, I usually go to Knoxville once a year. I agree that is sucks until the Tn border. 81 is no fun.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I'd love to see that route. I have family in south west Virginia and if I can skip even a chunk of 81 … I use the BRP a lot.

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

You can use the scenic route - at least some of the way. When heading West on I66, exit at Gainesville - take Rt29 South to Charlottsville - then go west. It will take you back to I-81 at the lower end of Va.

I take 95 down and cut over from Fredericksburg area to Route 15 and down to I-64 then hit 29 as said above. After Lynchburg take 460 to Roanoke then follow it to Christiansburg. This part takes about 4 hours vice I-66 to I-81 which takes about 4 hours...then its 4 hours on 81 the remainder of the way. Hwy 29 is great except for the part above Charlottesville. No truck traffic and you can cruise around 65ish.

Concur that north of Charlottesville on 29 is pretty heavy traffic. But that is backtracking for me anyway.

I'm looking at 221 from Roanoke connecting around Hillsville to 58 and follow 58 all the way to Abingdon. That last section south of Christiansburg is the worst for the trucks and hills.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Skytrooper

I drive 81 from ny to winchester, va 5-6 times a year. Harrisburg to Winchester is a miserable drive with all the trucks backing up the traffic flow. On the other spectrum, I usually go to Knoxville once a year. I agree that is sucks until the Tn border. 81 is no fun.

I used to take 15 from Harrisburg to Charlottesville connecting to 29 when I drove from Watertown NY. It was a 9 hour trip either way and this made some difference in my sanity.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by KC911

edited: Beautiful 911 !

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Beautiful car!

Originally Posted by vash

beautiful car!!

not me..i would drive something totally "appliance". stay under the radar.

I was thinking the same thing about just a to b in an appliance. I just need to get there.

Originally Posted by cairns

From Richmond to DC is pure hell. BTW I LOVE your car.

Oh yeah, going to Richmond is the worst. Where the EZ pass lanes end south of Quantico becomes a parking lot at times. I went to a friend's 1 Star promotion at Ft. Eustis last summer. That was just painful 4 hours plus for 160 miles roughly.

Thanks to all the nice comments. Its a 10 footer though. Some surface cancer here and there but nothing too bad. I was incredibly lucky to get it well before the market went boom, back in 2005. Picked it up the Monday after the tire debacle at the US Grand Prix at Indy, which we had attended (got our ticket money back from Michelin or somebody).

I have an external oil cooler in the front with a tiny 4 inch Spal fan to keep temps right. Put this on in El Paso for obvious reasons. My first drive there when I arrived in June 2012 nearly pegged the temp gauge. Between the 4,500 ft elevation and stupid 100 degree temps that was a necessity.

It also has A/C and I recently put a 5 inch Spal puller fan under the condenser to keep that cool. It was having issues with heating in traffic on really humid days but I think the fans have solved that.