Different ways to get from I-81 to Florida and back

Lads I'm leaving on May 4th for Key West and could use some info on best routes. Traditionally when we pulled our travel trailer to Florida we'd go down I81 and needed to get East to I95 so we'd get off 81 near Front Royal,Va and slide over 17 and 66 coming out on 95 near Fredericksburg, Va. then head straight down 95. When we come up this year heading for C-burg and Carlisle, we'll get off 95 and head on up 26, 77 and 74. I may take that route down too. Can anyone offer comments to which route is better ? The distances are about the same. Thanks..

Take 95 to 26 on the way up. Stay on 26 to 77 in Columbia. Then stay on 77 all the way to 81 just south of Christiansburg. 74 isn't used. Once you pass 40 on 77, the traffic is relatively light all the way to C'burg.

Used to live in the Roanoke Virginia area close to I-81, went to school in Florda, made the trip dozens of times.

i-81 south, no matter where you get on.
I-77 south just before Wytheville, VA
to I-26 east at Columbia, SC
to I-95 south.

If you head towards I-95 from I-66, you are adding a hundred miles onto your trip. Go west a little instead of heading all the way east. I-95 traverses more to the east than it does the west. Cut it short from the directions above and catch 95 in lower South Carolina and you will be good and definitely your shortest route. Good luck. Andy

Two examples of the same directions...

Lane giving same directions from his home in SC driving north.
Me giving same directions from my home in NJ driving south on 81.

I'd say that both of us have the same experiences. I should have turned around before I read Lanes first to see it from the south :)

We make that same route 2-4 times a year between Massachusetts and South Carolina. Can't beat it. It's exactly 100 miles longer than going I-95 all the way, but actually 30 minutes or more shorter in time because you avoid all of the NYC/Philly/Baltimore/DC traffic. It's easy, relaxing travel.....Just forget about I-74. The only traffic you'll hit before Florida is in Charlotte and even THAT isn't bad.

Once you get to I-95 South in South Carolina, between Mile Marker 33 and the Georgia state line, DO NOT EXCEED THE SPEED LIMIT. You'll be traveling through Hardeeville, SC and they used to have a traffic cam up on I-95 giving tickets for anyone over the limit +2mph (a major source of town revenue). The Feds made them remove it, so now they're hiding RADAR cruisers behind bridge abutments every mile or so and bagging people that way. Once you get to the Georgia line you're good for listed speed +7mph.

gn

David, if you happen to find yourself on the west coast of Fla. going in either direction , north or south , Rt 41 through the Everglades is a nice ride. Lots of gators and local stuff. Also if you get the chance to jump onto Card Sound Road in Key Largo ($1 toll) and get to Rt 1 that way, there is a local joint right on the canal , Alabama Jack's , good place for lunch. Card Sound is only 2 or 3 miles longer but worth the trip. Have a safe trip. Sea you in Pa.

Holy sh*t ! Andy Burger rises up and speaks from Joisey.. Good to hear from youz and c u at Carlisle !

Al, its been way too long... I almost let the speedster rot in the garage - I kicked back to a less expensive hobby during recent economic woes, restoring vintage mini-bikes from the 60's - a much less expensive hobby, yet just as fun. I'm finally getting the speedster back on the road and happy about that! See you in Carlisle. Andy