Best route to take to Carlisle?

[Jesda]

Last time I did I-70 from St Louis to Indianapolis to Columbus. The 55mph turnpike in Pennsylvania, while scenic, was SLOW and the tolls were $18 in one direction.

I'm thinking about taking I-64 through Louisville and Lexington, then I-79 through West Virginia, followed by I-68 through Maryland. According to the internet, I-68 parallels I-70 through PA but has a more lanes, no tolls, and a 65mph speed limit.



http://www.roadstothefuture.com/I68_MD.html

That would add 78 miles and 38 minutes to my trip (one way). The fuel cost at 24mpg in my brother's Prelude would be an additional $13 (one way, $4.10/gal for premium). That's still cheaper than $18 in tolls.

It's a savings of only $10 round trip. The speed limits are higher, its an interesting new route I've never taken and there's less traffic congestion, but I'd be in the car for 40 minutes more.

Additionally, the slower route through PA could possibly mean higher fuel economy, which would nullify the $10 savings.

Is it worth it? Like last year, this would be a one-shot drive so we'd have to wake up, hop in the car, and go. I'd normally travel for three weeks on a trip like this, take the scenic route, and wander all over the east coast, but my brother wants to get home to study for the MCAT.

[gmac708]

Anything has to be better than driving through Indiana and Ohio. That is painfully boring. I have never taken your new rout before but you might be in for some slower traffic. I drove from Columbus to Philly via I-70 Pen-turnpike about a month ago and I passed the Carlisle track at about 4.5 hours. I think this would be your quickest, but brain numbing way.
Gord

[mmkeller]

I've been on 79 years ago, some of that hwy is very scenic so you will want to pull over every now and then to take in the views.

[Ozzie]

Last year I did a 680 mile straight run, with one 10 minute gas/bathroom break.
You are the road trip king Jesda, you can do it!
Different route that you have selected sounds better, and with your brother going with you, you can share the driving duties.
In that case, the extra 38 minutes in the car won't really matter.

[Bubba1]

As info, the PA turnpike raised their tolls not that long ago. So the toll from the Gateway to Carlisle is now like $23 cash/$20 EZPass, or about 5 gallons worth of gas.

[BusyBadger]

In my experience in the I-64 has always had more than fair its share of commercial traffic* and travel was usually pretty slow, at least slower than it should have been on an interstate. I've driven both ways multiple times to Carlisle and points beyond and prefer paying the tolls over the pain of slow travel. Like most things in life it comes down to which is more important, time or money.

*This also means a higher than normal proportion of troopers just in case you're the Sammy Hagar type.

[Eikon]

As info, the PA turnpike raised their tolls not that long ago. So the toll from the Gateway to Carlisle is now like $23 cash/$20 EZPass, or about 5 gallons worth of gas.

The Penna Turnpike seriously sucks!!! You pay a ton of money to sit in construction for long delays. If I head to Carlisle, I'm taking 80 to State College and then back roads through the hills down to Carlisle.. Scenic, fun, and less expensive.. and depending on road construction, maybe faster as well.


Jesda, I'd do the alternate route that you mentioned in a heartbeat.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

yeah Highway 80 isn't bad at all.

Jesda- The Prelude only gets 24 MPG?!
Something is wrong. I pull around 30 traveling at 70ish mph.

[Jesda]

Automagic. 24mpg is the best I've seen at 70-74 mph.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Eastern US speed limits blow.

[Kompresshun]

Looks like you'll be coming right through Lexington too. I'd definitely go that route - 64 in particular is a lot better to travel on than the alternatives IMHO.

If you have a few to stop off when you come by Lex, I might be able to come out somewhere near the interstate and meet you guys for a few minutes. I'd like to see what the brown man thinks of the Maxima anyways

[Jesda]

Looks like you'll be coming right through Lexington too. I'd definitely go that route - 64 in particular is a lot better to travel on than the alternatives IMHO.

If you have a few to stop off when you come by Lex, I might be able to come out somewhere near the interstate and meet you guys for a few minutes. I'd like to see what the brown man thinks of the Maxima anyways

YOU SHOULD FOLLOW ME TO PENNSYLVANIA.

[Kompresshun]

YOU SHOULD FOLLOW ME TO PENNSYLVANIA.

I WOULD BUT I'M ILLEGAL IN 7 STATES AND PA IS ONE OF THEM

Plus I have no vacation time built up yet at the new job

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Automagic. 24mpg is the best I've seen at 70-74 mph.

Your bro got the wrong transmission, bro.

I thought you were flying into RI and going down with Ray.

[Jesda]

Automagic. 24mpg is the best I've seen at 70-74 mph.

Your bro got the wrong transmission, bro.

I thought you were flying into RI and going down with Ray.

Change of plans. Brother is joining me so we're driving instead.

I was looking forward to hanging out with Ray and seeing Boston, but I'll save my tour of New England for the fall.

[nissangirl74]

Seriously jealous of a Fall New England trip.
Take the scenic route you have never been on. Always better, f*** the cost.

[zacmil]

I'd definitely go that route - 64 in particular is a lot better to travel on than the alternatives IMHO.

It's a boring drive though. I-64 is a little rough and narrow in spots between Lexington and Louisville, but otherwise it's not too bad of a drive. I haven't traveled east of Lexington for a long time, but a friend of mine who used to go to school out in the eastern part of the state. He always complained about the police on that stretch, so you may want to watch your speed.

[maxhopper]

I refuse to drive through West Va unless absolutely neccessary. From Louisville, I'm going up 71 to Columbus and turning east.

[Rex]

I drove from Baltimore to Cincinnati "regularly" back in the late 90's. I avoided the PA turnpike at all costs. Aside from the lower speed limits, tolls and "boring-ness" it can turn into a parking lot with 1 accident.

I-68 through Western MD is a more enjoyable drive, but BE WARNED there are many speed traps. They seem to love to catch you coming down a long incline exceeding the speed limit. I never got stopped, but have read many stories on the internet about the ticketing.

[maxhopper]

Oh and good news Jesda. They are your's if you want them. I don't have the space for any extra crap in my apartment that doesn't belong to me.

Whoever left two green fold-up chairs at the autocross tent, I now have them in my trunk. Please claim them so I at least know who they belong to.

Can I claim them even if they aren't mine?

I call preemptive dibs on unclaimed chairs. I'm going to deck out my loft space with outdoor furniture and paint the walls to look like Clearwater beach.

[Jesda]

SCORE!

[alms24sebring]

[Jesda]

LOLOLOL!!!!!


That really does look like one of my annual 8000-mile road trip maps

[PapaSmurf2k3]

It goes right by me too. I vote do it. You'll have to leave now, of course...