alternative routes for Jersey City, New Jersey - Asheville, North Carolina

My friend and I will be driving from Jersey City, New Jersey to Asheville, North Carolina over this weekend.

My current plan is to take I-78W out of Jersey City, then I-81S all the way to Johnson City then I-26 to Asheville. We also plan on staying in Staunton, Virginia (en route on I-81) for a night to split the drive over two days. However, I-81 seems like a stressful drive because of the numerous speed traps through Virginia, particularly Blacksburg to Wytheville, and many more.

Are there better alternative routes for this trip?

The route you have laid out is about as direct and straightforward as you can get. I just dont see where you would have a better option. The only other real options you would have would involve I-95, which is arguably the most stressful highway in America.

I am not sure how you are defining speed trap, but they are very rare on the interstates. Now you can have heavily patrolled areas, but in my book to be a speed trap you also need to have unreasonably low and/or frequently changing speed limits. Those are the kinds of things you much more frequently have while entering/exiting towns on 2 lane roads, and its tough to have those conditions on any Interstate.

Thank you Michael. I'm learning bit by bit about roadtrip planning. The only reason I am wary of I-81 is because of the heavy patrolling on Interstate in Virginia, and as you mentioned, getting in and out of town onto the Interstate.

With 2 days you have time for a relaxed journey with no need to rush, so if your main concern of causing stress is getting caught by speed traps, simply keep close to the speed limit and you will be fine. :-)

Have a safe trip.

Why speed? Calibrate your speedometer with your GPS and set your cruise control exactly at the limit. You will get better gas mileage. Besides, most of I-81 through Virginia is now 70, isn't that fast enough?

The definition of a speed limit is definitely not "the speed that you have to go faster than".

We've driven I-81 and didn't find that there were "speed traps". There were areas where we saw more Highway Patrol cars than other areas, but nothing bad. GLC (and others) have offered some good advice.

BTW, the route you chose is exactly the one I would have suggested!


Donna

However, if you use a radar detector put it away in VA, they are illegal and the police use active detection technology to find them in use.