Best way to Perry, Ga: Rte 77 or 79???

[nanceanne]

Hi
My husband and I will be going to Perry, Ga for our first international rally. I don't know whether to plan the trip via PA - Route 79 or Ohio - Route 77. Does anyone have any preference for either route? Also, do you have any suggestions for first timers?
Thanks,

[SilverCabin]

I have driven 77 from start to end and it's a nice scenic drive that isn't too busy. I wasn't towing at the time, so I don't recall any difficult stretches, but there are some mountains to cross in West Virginia. I've not been on 79, but it looks like you would go through some big cities that way.

There is some first timer info here: WBCCI.org I'm a first timer myself, but there is a lot of posts here about that, so a search should pick them up. On the Florida State Rally threads, there was a lot of good posts on what to expect as a first timer.

Randy

[nanceanne]

After much discussion, my husband and I are going to take I75 to Perry, GA. The only area of concern seems to be Atlanta - is it better to take I75 through Atlanta or I285 around the west side?

[59toaster]

Originally Posted by nanceanne

After much discussion, my husband and I are going to take I75 to Perry, GA. The only area of concern seems to be Atlanta - is it better to take I75 through Atlanta or I285 around the west side?

Depends on the time of day. The down town connector can be confusing if you have never been. Normally I run through town and it is by far the shortest way. The road is all pretty fresh asphalt and a lot smoother ride then the Concrete on I 285 on either side of town. Semi's that are not making a delivery down town are required to take 285 and it seems to greatly increase the risk of a wreck on 285 holding you up.

The trick to Downtown is stay in the 3rd lane from the left (including the HOV) after you are inside the 1 285 Perimeter and especially as you approach the North I 85 interchange (shortly after the Howell Mill exit). I 85 North exits to the left. The third lane is split to south I 75 or North I85 and will keep you out of the 14th street exit traffic about 1/4 mile down the road.

I85 and I 75 south join shortly after you pass the I 85 north exit and stay as one through the heart of town. There are several exit to the right that will have the I 85 south bound driver trying like hell to get right and being idiots to a Rig with a travel trailer. Be careful!

As soon as you can get over to the 3rd from the left again do so to get out of all the exit traffic for the next 3 miles and you can ride that lane all the way through the rest of town without changing lanes again.

Rush hour…all bets are off. Listen to AM 750 for the traffic report. If they are not reporting anything major in town I would stick with going through.


If you are hitech and have internet while rolling. Georgia Navigator :: Home

[59toaster]

Originally Posted by 65GT

I'll be coming across from SC but I was told by a former Atlanta resident don't even think about going through Atlanta during rush hour(s) -- just don't do it.

To me that means 6am-9am and 4pm-7pm. Your rush hour denifitions may vary...

__

From SC I would agree but from Chattanooga I don't.....top end Between I 75 and I 85 and east end of 285 are the worst sections of 285 at Rush hour and it is almost double the distance.

[wanderer1]

Thought's from an ex over the road trucker.Hello Nanceanna,looks like your in the Youngstown area.Imho,I would not go I-71 to I-75,(large cities,not a straight shot,extra fuel money).I-79 is ok but roads choppey in Pa.The best way for you is from Youngstown take hwy 62 to hwy 9 to Carrollton,hwy 39 west to I-77 south....Lots of hills/curves in W.V. on 77.Don't let your fuel get below 1/3 of a tank,(gas stations/rest areas etc.can be few and far between in W.V.).In Charleston W.V., 77 turns into a toll road and is a little mountainous (pay attention,watch warning signs).Run I-77 to Charlotte N.C.(heavy traffic/rush hour) get on I-85 south here.Run 85 to Atlanta.In Atlanta stay on 85 to downtown,take I-75 south to Perry.In Atlanta semi's must use bypass (I-285) unless doing local delivery's,so your better off staying off bypass.And avoid rush hour's at any cost in Atlanta (6am to 9am/3pm to 7pm).Much SAFER to find a place to park and wait it out...Brian

[LI Pets]

Not to hijack the thread but coming down Rt95, I thought of cutting over to Rt 20 thru Columbia Sc and working my way south to perry someway.

Any thoughts?

[wanderer1]

Hello Li Pets,From NYC area,there is 3 different ways you could go.1st, I-95 to I-20 is ok except for tolls on NJTP and if I remember right,Delaware road/bridge tolls (been a while since I've ran e.coast) 2nd way,short cut to avoid Baltimore and D.C.,From NJTP (I-95) at Delaware state line.Cross bridge into DE,look for "to hwy 301" signs.Take 301 south ('bout 4 turns in 15 miles or so to get to 301,little tricky,WATCH hwy signs).Make sure you have plenty of fuel (not many stations on 301),stay on 301 all the way down to Ruther Glen,Va.2 toll bridges,Chesapeake bay and Potomac,Get back on 95. 3rd,to avoid most large cities/traffic,in Jersey take I-78 west to I-81 south to I-77 south to Charlotte.Take I-85 south to Atlanta (read my other post 'bout Atlanta).One toll this way at NJ/PA bridge.Hope that helps you,myself,I would run down the 301 way (not much traffic on 301,mostly all 4 lane road)...... Brian

[thecatsandi]

Go around and plan to go through during mid-day.

[LI Pets]

Here's the route that I came up with I-20 to GA Hwy 44. South to Eatonton... beautiful drive around the lake.

Pick up US 129 to Macon and I-75.
Then about 30 miles south to Perry.

I know a lot of people don't like I95 and use 81 until south of Richmond VA but I 95 works fine for me.

I'll take a look at 301?

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

I know a lot of people don't like I95 and use 81 until south of Richmond VA but I 95 works fine for me.

I'll take a look at 301?

Bob,
I-95 to rt. 20 will be the routes I will use. Although I live in southern Delaware, I am familiar with Rt.301, and believe the suggestion of taking it was a good one. It cuts out some of that white knuckle driving near Baltimore and on the beltway around DC.
Have a safe trip.

[yukionna]

Here is the route the VAC Wagon Wheels caravan is taking into Perry, arriving on Monday, June 25:

I-20 west over into to GA
Rt.22 south to Rt.243
Rt.18 to Rt.96
I-75 south into Perry, GA

[LI Pets]

Georgia Navigator is good resource site.

[yukionna]

There is hardly any traffic! No "rush hour" there!

[thecatsandi]

Where I live there is no traffic report. (Eastern Oregon/ Western Montana)

[LI Pets]

And the population of that is?

Like 4 cars?

[thecatsandi]

Nah. Maybe a couple hundred. THer are only 10,000 in the whole valley. That includes four towns.