I'm planning to go to VIR in a couple of weeks. From Chicago, it appears that the best route is south on I-65 to Louisville KY and then east on I-64 through Charleston WV. Once I get to Beckley WV, am I better off:

a) going south on I-77 past I-81 and then going east on US-58, or

b) going east on I-64 till it hits I-81, then going south on US-501 and US-29 past Lynchburg?

I'm driving to a hotel in Danville, rather than directly to the track, in case that makes any difference (I doubt it).

TIA

 

I've only ever been the 77 to 58 way. The other seems like a lot more small highway stuff. Take the bypass around the south of Martinville.

 

77 to 58 gets my vote,although i'd compare what the mileage/time estimates are on both.
all the hotels in Danville are on 58/Riverside Dr,right on the way to the track.
what event are doing?i'll be at the Carguys on December 5th.
Chris

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamNextGenChris &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what event are doing?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Chin Motorsports December 10-11.

 

I77 to 58

 

I chose the 77 to 58 route when I towed to VIR from Pittsburgh earlier this year.

 

I did it recently from Cincy down Lexington and then toward WV on your route. I was towing a car and a lot of crap on a trailer behind my Explorer.

I took 77 South from Beckley but headed east on 112/460 over to Christiansburg, took 81 northeast to Roanoke and took 220 south to Martinsville, then 58 east to Danville.

I've been that route to Martinsville for a NASCAR race before as well. Coming back from the NASCAR event, I took 58 west all the way to 77 and it was very narrow and twisty two lane most of the way stuck maddeningly behind slow traffic. My route had a lot more road changes but it is 4 lane divided highway the entire way. Once you get off 77, it is no longer 4 lane limited access highway but at least you will not get stuck behind a slow truck or tractor.

If you are towing a trailer, definitely the 4 lane is the preferred choice over the 2 lane rural state road. Either way, it is a long way and you will feel like it is taking forever but that's just because it takes forever to get there from this side of the world and you almost can't get there from here.

 

Earlier this year (February), 58 was closed right around Vesta. So, after 14-15 hours of driving, with a trunk full of rattling tires and gas cans and tools, I take this awesome detour.

The "Parkway" (Blue Ridge Parkway) goes through something that appears to be a park. Some of the turns are a bit blind because of the trees, but they are all rather quick.

Then I make the right turn on Highway 8. Oh boy, I was following a guy in a late 80's Chevy pickup truck (obviously local) and I was NOT keeping up with him in the switchbacks! That guy knew the roads a bit better than I. Overall he wasn't really speeding, just navigating the road well. The banking on those switchbacks was phenomenal.

I distinctly remember coming across a highway (Highway 40) that claimed "tractor trailers use alt. route" .... and how the hell did they make it THIS far I wondered?

Anyhow, an enjoyable route. Don't do it after a long drive in the wee hours.

 

Oh, and no I haven't decided on whether or not I'm coming out. Work has been a killer lately and I don't have all *that* much vacation time left at the moment.

(and, the blackjack tables weren't quite as friendly as usual this cruise..)

 

I agree with Lee. US-58 west of Martinsville is pretty twisty.

Keith, who lives just off US-58, toward the eastern terminis...

 

Look who is asking non-Honda related topic here now! "Why didn't you google it?" I know this would be something that you would say, but not me or all the other members that responded to your post. I hope you got the help that you were looking for.

 

The road racing and autocross forum is for exchanging information about taking our Honda/Acura cars to road racing and autocross events. Directions to a track are certainly on-topic here, as relevant as most of the topics in this forum.

 

hands down best way. 81 to 220 to 58 to Danville.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Doctor CorteZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hands down best way. 81 to 220 to 58 to Danville.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you are towing, that is probably your best bet.

You can save a little time by getting on 40 east in Rocky Mount, VA and taking it over to 29 south. That puts you past the uncongested side of Danville and near most of the hotels. The only gamble is that 40 is a two lane highway. It is usually fine, but you can catch some slower traffic on it at times. Just another option...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RexRacer19 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If you are towing, that is probably your best bet.

You can save a little time by getting on 40 east in Rocky Mount, VA and taking it over to 29 south. That puts you past the uncongested side of Danville and near most of the hotels. The only gamble is that 40 is a two lane highway. It is usually fine, but you can catch some slower traffic on it at times. Just another option...</TD></TR></TABLE>
my parents live on 40 between Rocky Mount and Gretna.it could be pretty sketchy if towing-i've towed through there plenty of times and i hate it!
if going the 81/220/58 route,i'd stay on 220 all the way to 58,and avoid getting on 40.in my experience,that way takes the same amount of time either way(i've done it both ways,and it's almost exactly the same time),but you're on 2 lane roads a lot less.
Chris

 

Wuss!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RexRacer19 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wuss! </TD></TR></TABLE>
haha.if i was leaving from my parent's,i'd go on down 40 to 29.
but,if i'm already on 220,i just follow it on down to 58.
too many deer,drunk rednecks,shoulder dropoffs,etc for me to tow down 40 unless i have to.
Chris