Especially in the winter!+1, I can attest to all of this
Especially in the winter!+1, I can attest to all of this
I’m west of Winchester and go 81-77-26-95.I live in Northwestern Virginia and drive to Florida a few times per year. The fastest route uses 95 from Fredericksburg south, but I hate that stretch of 95 (to Richmond). It's the worst part of our 900+ mile drive. We also have the option to go due south from our home, hit 64, which we take over to 288 west of Richmond. It's slower, but easier on the nerves.
Do you not get tied up on those roads for the most part? Been caught up in gridlock numerous times on 81. Used to lay over in Roanoke Virginia. which was a good place to stop. 26 and 77 gets very heavy but for the most part keeps moving. Going on a run to Queens in May and just not sure which way to go.I’m west of Winchester and go 81-77-26-95.
We just drove that route from the north on our last trip.I do the trip regularly. I now avoid I95 and travel N on Rt 77 to 81, through PA. As my destination is somewhat upstate NY.
I95 can be an hour faster, but I the occasional DC, NY and NYC traffic jam can be long enough to make the I95 version (18 hour) one day trip into 2 full days. It is not worth the risk for me.
Rt 81 in VA:
Brings back memories. I drove from Dutchess county, NY to FL countless times between 1998-2016, mostly in winter. My wife and young daughter always looked forward to stopping at the FL welcome center which serves fresh orange juice tastings. Felt good to sip OJ under a palm tree, out of the sub-zero NY weather.My favorite stretch of I-95 is extreme northern Maryland. Excellent pavement and lighting. Looks so nice and maintained.
That's my travel story. Tell me about yours.
SC and NC had several lane closures due to construction. GA had a couple also. Lost 20-30 minutes each on. Traffic wasn’t real heavy. Even Fredericksburg north wasn’t bad. I traveled on a Tuesday Wednesday. Yes when there’s an accident on 81 it can get bad. Always went thru Charlotte before rush hour. The years long construction just north of Charlotte has been finished. All that was to put in toll lanes. Never had a problem on 26.Do you not get tied up on those roads for the most part? Been caught up in gridlock numerous times on 81. Used to lay over in Roanoke Virginia. which was a good place to stop. 26 and 77 gets very heavy but for the most part keeps moving. Going on a run to Queens in May and just not sure which way to go.
Is that real?
I use a V1. I don’t believe VA can detect them. And if waze indicates a cop ahead, I hide it under the seat for a bit.I got more tickets for having a radar detector than anything else. There are no points for those so better than speeding.
Under seat with it off? Radio based equipment emits RF that is detectable. Cop does not to see it to know you got a radar detector if its on.I use a V1. I don’t believe VA can detect them. And if waze indicates a cop ahead, I hide it under the seat for a bit.
Under seat with it off? Radio based equipment emits RF that is detectable. Cop does not to see it to know you got a radar detector if its on.
Back in the day, they would know you had a detector if they POPed it on or Instant On and they say brake lights.
I believe Waze has taken over. Yeah, yeah, yeah.. they say it can detect "bursts" up ahead, and it has come a long way since my BMW Factory Radar (option on 1986 325es. I believe M-Technic 1 package. BMW guys please confirm. ETA engine.. VIN WBAAB5402G9673374. I will never forget the VIN of that car. Probably a shell in a scrap yard by now) that I called a "Microwave detector" for X-band.. that still SOMETIMES indicated a police car, as some cars had OLD equipment (this was in 2002.. some cars still run K or Ka. Some small department budgets may not have them at all.)
Except on empty roads without fellow Wazers, I've converted to using Waze. The radar detector game... 1. They got you beat 2. I've always felt cops don't like detectors. Stay out of Virginia with those .
EDIT: Cops maybe even have "Speedcar" (?) where they can get your speed from the other side, opposite direction at speed.. though I would question accuracy on that.
Interesting writeup. Brake lights? Every cop I have seen is it aiming at you. Brake lights are behind you LOLBack in the day, they would know you had a detector if they POPed it on or Instant On and they say brake lights.
I believe Waze has taken over. Yeah, yeah, yeah.. they say it can detect "bursts" up ahead, and it has come a long way since my BMW Factory Radar (option on 1986 325es. I believe M-Technic 1 package. BMW guys please confirm. ETA engine.. VIN WBAAB5402G9673374. I will never forget the VIN of that car. Probably a shell in a scrap yard by now) that I called a "Microwave detector" for X-band.. that still SOMETIMES indicated a police car, as some cars had OLD equipment (this was in 2002.. some cars still run K or Ka. Some small department budgets may not have them at all.)
Except on empty roads without fellow Wazers, I've converted to using Waze. The radar detector game... 1. They got you beat 2. I've always felt cops don't like detectors. Stay out of Virginia with those .
EDIT: Cops maybe even have "Speedcar" (?) where they can get your speed from the other side, opposite direction at speed.. though I would question accuracy on that.
Under seat with it off? Radio based equipment emits RF that is detectable. Cop does not to see it to know you got a radar detector if its on.
Did you stop at South of the Border?I don't see many actual trip posts on this site. Figured I would add one.
For those who are out west, I-95 is the main thoroughfare on the east coast which travelers use from Maine to Florida. Done it a few times. Anyhoo...
I've noticed that aside from pickup trucks, there are many more sedans in the south, especially the closer you get to Florida, than compared to NY. I wonder why that is.
On I-95, people who are driving slow in the left lane will actually move over, unlike drivers in Long Island who seem to slow down on purpose when you get a little closer. God forbid you flash to pass in Long Island, NY..
The further south you go, the more friendly and talkative people are.
The roads are infinitely better outside of NY.
I love poking around Love truck stops. The snacks, the jerky, the truck gadgets and radios. My family gets a kick every time they announce that "customer X, your shower is ready!"
Georgia seems empty on I-95 on their respective stretch on I-95.
Fireworks which you can buy at stores anywhere on I-95 are a rip-off. Can't blame them for taking advantage of the travelers. PA is the place to go price-wise.
Buc'ees is cool but overrated. The brisket sandwich, however, is awesome.
My wife's 2022 Ford Explorer is awesome in every way.
I hate the heat, but FL at night is amazing.
Driving through Richmond, VA, Baltimore, MD, and DC in the early morning hours makes me want to PIT Maneuver people. Horrible and overly aggressive drivers.
Indian River fruit stores on the side of I-95 in Florida have awesome flavored Pecans. My orange and lemon trees in a box are alive, well, and fruit producing in my bay window in NY.
Regular windshield washer fluid is no match for southern highway bugs. If you're hungry, just stick your head out the window..
Apple Maps did a pretty good job of navigation, between re-routes and spotting speed traps.
NY drivers always get a kick out of each other while in the south, but as soon as we enter NY, we will give each other the finger.
My favorite stretch of I-95 is extreme northern Maryland. Excellent pavement and lighting. Looks so nice and maintained.
Sleep if you have to. I saw plenty of swerving and slower drivers who were clearly dozing off.
That's my travel story. Tell me about yours.