<p>Depending on where the OP is in New England, I highly recommend taking the Mass. Pike to 87 South to 287 S to 78 W. Forget crossing in Newburgh or on the Tappan Zee. You can pick up the NE Extension of the PA Tpk. just beyond Allentown, although I believe you have to exit to pick it up. Take the NE Extension South to 95. You miss Philadelphia (mostly) this way as well. Or you can go further west, then straight down, since NC is considerably west of New England.</p>
<p>If no traffic were on any of the routes, the above would take longer; however, it does avoid the heaviest populated areas and thus, even during rush hour, takes less time.</p>
<p>We or our son do the route from Allentown PA area to Roanoke, VA (I believe one of warriormom’s stops) fairly often. We take 78 and 81. For a good part of 78, there is a road parallel about 1/2 a mile to the south. I believe it’s Old Allentown Road, Route 22. It’s an excellent alternative for the area between Hamburg and Harrisburg where most of the construction and back ups occur.</p>
<p>Just a small hijack - We are heading north to Vermont tomorrow. We do not want to take 95 so we are going the western route. However, when we get to Harrisburg we have a choice to continue north on 81 and then take 84 or 88 across or do the 78 and then up. all look like they have construction on them. Any opinions? We shoudl hit Harrisburg between 10-11AM.</p>
<p>Yes, there are 2 seasons on the interstate winter and construction.</p>
<p>From the sounds of things and feedback, it sounds like 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other as far as timing goes. I’ve done 2 round trips across 78 in the past 2 weeks and have lost at most 20 minutes in delay over an unobstructed interstate. When I passed through NJ on one trip at 9:30 AM, there was no delay at all. YMMV of course.</p>
<p>We will be driving from northeastern CT to Roanoke (also, need a good place to spend the night that is about 1/2 way) then Emory, VA and then down to Greenville, SC. We will be leaving from Lynchburg to return home. </p>
<p>We are going to do part of the trip Sat. night and then the rest Sunday. I have driven 95 from CT to NYC many times and unless it is very late or very early there are always huge traffic jams…</p>
<p>I’m at work so when I get home I’ll have to read everyone’s advice.</p>
<p>From NE CT to Roanoke:
You don’t want to or need to go on I-95. That is actually out of the way.
Two choices - as others have stated. Take I-84 to 684 to 287 and go over the Tappan Zee Bridge. Stay on 287 South until you get to I-78. Most of the construction in NJ is done (Thank God!). From Danbury to the Delaware river is about 2.5 hours.
Stay on I-78 to I-81 outside Harrisburg and follow it to Roanoke.
WArning: I-78 from Allentown to I-81 is NOT a good road. It is narrow and dangerous and very prone to accidents. Big truck accidents that result in closure. That said, I drive it often. Just drive with patience.<br>
I-81 is not a bad road at all - just boring in Va since it lasts forever. There are plenty of places to stay all along this way.</p>
<p>Alternate route - I-84 across NY and go over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge and all the way to Scranton. Take I-81 south. It’s longer, but I know people who have traveled this way.
I live about 10 miles from I-78 and have traveled both to NE and down to NC many times.
Where you stay will depend on how many hours you want to drive on Sat night.</p>
<p>When you leave Emory VA, you’ll go to I-77 and take it down to Charlotte where you’ll hit I-85 south which takes you straight to Greenville SC.</p>
<p>And one thing all of us can probably agree on…</p>
<p>Don’t follow the default route given by your GPS unit!</p>
<p>Mine always wants to take me across the GW Bridge during rush hour. LOL</p>
<p>Of course you can now get a Tomtom with Homer Simpson giving directions…</p>
<p>[TomTom</a>, portable GPS car navigation systems - Original Homer Simpson voice](<a href=“http://www.tomtom.com/page/simpsons]TomTom”>http://www.tomtom.com/page/simpsons)</p>
<p>I wonder if you make a wrong turn if he says “D’oh!”</p>