Which Route is better?
Posted by Unfair_Analysis_3734@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 41 comments
I will be going through the day and will have to stop somewhere within this stretch, which is the better route for traffic and parking? I will only be lightly loaded so I don't mind the hills. I don't mind taking the longer route if it means I can run longer without having to shut down earlier to find parking for the night, or avoid traffic. Which would you choose?
Rotteneverything@reddit
depends on time of day. probably 95 to 85. dc beltway to 66 is a traffic cluster-mess then further south on 81 and 77 you start getting into some very steep climbs. 95 s of richmond and 85 to raleigh is a breeze.
truckingham@reddit
I’m probably the minority here but when I’m in that part of the world I usually run up 95 and at night. 95 at night is better than 81 at any time imo
jazzmeasurement@reddit
Bro take 85. 81 is nothing but hills and curves.
Unfair_Analysis_3734@reddit (OP)
Man y’all are really divided on this one lol. My load is only 8000lb so I can do hills and curves, I really don’t wanna deal with traffic on 95 though.
driver_dylan@reddit
What time are you due? In most cases I would avoid 95 but if your delivery is in the late evening no matter what you do you are dead
Unfair_Analysis_3734@reddit (OP)
Technically I have a 2 day window, but I usually like to do my drivings between the hours of 5am to 5pm. And will be running out of hours somewhere in the area of the screenshot.
driver_dylan@reddit
Take the northern rout and stop in Fairfax. There are several great truck stops outside of Fairfax but they typically fill up by 4PM. I would then deliver in the morning of day two.
Dungeon_Beard@reddit
Go with the one that is highlighted. 40 through the gorge is torture as they’re still rebuilding from the hurricane.
chevx@reddit
Whichever one keeps you on 81
Unfair_Analysis_3734@reddit (OP)
Thanks for all the feedback guys! I’m thinking I will go with 81, I would rather deal with mountains instead of traffic since my load is very light.
yeah-no-yeah-no@reddit
I dig rolling 77 thru West Virginia any chance I get. Super fun drive. Twists & turns, ups & downs. It’s scenic and beautiful.
I really hate 81 through Virgina. Too many trucks driving 100 mph right on your ass, one after another. And that damn Interstate (81) has the most annoying down slop tilt to it, that it makes you feel like you’re gonna slide right off the road into the side rails. Like the WORST side sloped road in the country. I get outta my truck and walk at a side tilt for hours after driving it. BUT, there is THEEE most delicious Indian food spot off 81 that I love stopping at. Mind blowing good! Drooling just thinking of it.
Fellthefox@reddit
Woodbridge merge South of dc is a nightmare.
The TAs in Baltimore are pay to park.
There a semi sized TA north of Richmond but feels kinda dicey at night, but I've only stayed there once.
There's a rest area outside of Ashford (?). busy with RVs and tourist but truck parking during the day hasn't been an issue for me.
95 rush hour sucks. I'll only take loads through Baltimore and dc extremely early or late at night with a clear plan on where I'm going to be stopping
I'll deny loads that try to send me from Richmond to Baltimore and back just because that's an entire day
Appropriate_Gur_6642@reddit
85-95 if during the night 77-81 if during the day
Inside-Definition-53@reddit
64 to 81 without a doubt. The traffic flows 10x smoother than 85 and 95.
Top-Rate1395@reddit
Wait, I’m exactly on this route with the same decision. What are the odds?
I followed 81. Now parked though.
If you have time to make it to 2440 Raphine rd, Raphine. Virginia 24472, you’ll see parking. It’s a Petro, and there’s a Pilot across the highway. Be safe.
Puzzleheaded_Volume3@reddit
South Carolina. West Virginia has pay pass through stations. And it’s cash only. And it’s exact cash. They will not accept cards at all. I would go through South Carolina and north on.
Puzzleheaded_Volume3@reddit
Nevermind.
theputzulu@reddit
fuck 95 if you can avoid do so. richmond to DC just sucks
FileCareless@reddit
81 has better parking options but it’s more mountainous imo
Tricky_Big_8774@reddit
Where are you coming from? It might worth it to go straight west and pick up 81 farther north in order to avoid DC.
kali4niakid@reddit
I mean if your worried about mpg go 85 but if that downt matter go the less trafficked route so you can get their faster and get to your next load faster or get more rest.
Exciting-Car-3516@reddit
kingsnow18@reddit
If you could go thru DC at early morning or night go for it! Recently I lost 2 h stuck on heavy traffic just south of DC on i95. But i81 could sometimes have crazy traffic too. Try to start early and you'll be fine on i95.
Snookfilet@reddit
The rest areas on that stretch of 81 are all pretty small. There is Whites Petro at exit 205 with close to 1000 spots but it looks like you’re headed south so that would be an early stop.
There is a decent sized rest area in Iredell County, NC on 77.
I travel 85 north of Charlotte a lot less and generally have designated parking at work stops on that route so I’m less familiar with public access to truck parking along there. That said, it looks like you’re dealing with Baltimore and DC either way, and I never have too much trouble with Richmond. I think you’d have less traffic and stress on 85.
FlamedPrince@reddit
85 to 95
West-Raccoon-2043@reddit
Definitely blue. Don’t take 81 unless you got a reason too. Traffic is always bad on 81
Smokeyy1990@reddit
If you're driving at night. The 85 route. Peak driving time? 81 to 77 hills and mountains be damned.
Dry_Gur_3613@reddit
85 to 95 is less mountains but lots of cars.
ironeagle2006@reddit
81 sucks if you're heavy pulling Fancy Gap 85 is pretty smooth sailing.
brandmonkey@reddit
85, no mountains
Leaf-Stars@reddit
95 sux.
Ok_Bug_6470@reddit
Richmond
SmooveKJ@reddit
95 to 85 absolutely especially at night
Largofarburn@reddit
There’s a truck stop on exit 39 I believe in VA that’s usually got a lot of parking.
81 is more scenic for sure. But I always feel like I hit traffic through there.
Both have a fair amount of rest areas. But I wouldn’t count on parking at any of them for a 10. They tend to fill up fast for the night.
potatocross@reddit
81 has more chances for parking in my opinion. Plus if you are driving during the day less chance of being screwed in DC. But at the same time there is always a chance of 81 getting screwed quickly with a wreck.
Brilliant_Rabbit7916@reddit
Take 85…77 to 64 ain’t nothing but mountains
familyedit@reddit
81 to 77 right into Charlotte
DragonFly_927@reddit
😯
Radiant_Swan187@reddit
I like the fuddruckers at the TA north of Richmond. I have nothing esle of use to add.
Individual_Shine_881@reddit
i hate going up 95. i hate being on 95 anywhere. I would take the alternative but my company usually doesn't give me that option.
Lolivares93@reddit
85 easy