Route to Carlisle
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,468
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From: NC
Route to Carlisle
Looking to hear from folks traversing I95 out of NC going to Carlisle. Living in the Wake Forest area we usually get on 85 to 95.
For a few years we have gone 95 straight up to DC and made our way to 270 thru MD. A hot mess.
Other times up 95 to Fredericksburg then 17. Not bad, but FREDERICKSBURG is so unpredictable, mostly for the traffic jams.
Last year, we saw a convoy coming up behind us on 95. They got off in Richmond, to go to 64 I guess to 81. We have never gone that way.
Other options, we are coming out of the north Raleigh / Wake Forest area?
TIA
For a few years we have gone 95 straight up to DC and made our way to 270 thru MD. A hot mess.
Other times up 95 to Fredericksburg then 17. Not bad, but FREDERICKSBURG is so unpredictable, mostly for the traffic jams.
Last year, we saw a convoy coming up behind us on 95. They got off in Richmond, to go to 64 I guess to 81. We have never gone that way.
Other options, we are coming out of the north Raleigh / Wake Forest area?
TIA
Always Shiftin'
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When my buddy lived in Richmond, we always took 64 over to 81 when going to Carlisle.
Looking at the map, you could try Hwy501 (off 85 on north side of Raleigh) and head towards Lynchburg. Then Hwy501 over to 81, or Hwy29 up to 64. I have never gone this way but it might be a nice scenic drive versus interstate the whole way. Google maps says it would take you about 30 additional minutes, but the drive may be worth it.
Hope this helps a little!
Good Luck!
Looking at the map, you could try Hwy501 (off 85 on north side of Raleigh) and head towards Lynchburg. Then Hwy501 over to 81, or Hwy29 up to 64. I have never gone this way but it might be a nice scenic drive versus interstate the whole way. Google maps says it would take you about 30 additional minutes, but the drive may be worth it.
Hope this helps a little!
Good Luck!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 195
Likes: 72
From: Raleigh, NC
When my buddy lived in Richmond, we always took 64 over to 81 when going to Carlisle.
Looking at the map, you could try Hwy501 (off 85 on north side of Raleigh) and head towards Lynchburg. Then Hwy501 over to 81, or Hwy29 up to 64. I have never gone this way but it might be a nice scenic drive versus interstate the whole way. Google maps says it would take you about 30 additional minutes, but the drive may be worth it.
Hope this helps a little!
Good Luck!
Looking at the map, you could try Hwy501 (off 85 on north side of Raleigh) and head towards Lynchburg. Then Hwy501 over to 81, or Hwy29 up to 64. I have never gone this way but it might be a nice scenic drive versus interstate the whole way. Google maps says it would take you about 30 additional minutes, but the drive may be worth it.
Hope this helps a little!
Good Luck!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 720
From: Fairfax, Virginia
I live in Northern VA about 20 miles due west of WDC. It is a good idea to avoid the WDC area as much as possible due to the heavy traffic here.
If I were you I would take I95 North from Richmond to Dumfries and pick up Route 234 through Manassas then up to Haymarket and then take Route 15 North to Leesburg. Go around Leesburg on Route 15 and cross the Potomac River by Point of Rocks on 15 and then on to Frederick Maryland. Continue on 15 North past Thurmont, Emmitsburg and Gettysburg. Exit onto 94 at York Springs and continue North on 94 where it becomes Route 34 in Mount Holly Springs. North on 34 straight into the center of Carlisle and then a left turn onto Carlisle Springs Road (which is still Route 34). The Fairgrounds will come up on your right.
I have been going this way since my first Carlisle in the Spring of 1981 with great success. Good Luck.
If I were you I would take I95 North from Richmond to Dumfries and pick up Route 234 through Manassas then up to Haymarket and then take Route 15 North to Leesburg. Go around Leesburg on Route 15 and cross the Potomac River by Point of Rocks on 15 and then on to Frederick Maryland. Continue on 15 North past Thurmont, Emmitsburg and Gettysburg. Exit onto 94 at York Springs and continue North on 94 where it becomes Route 34 in Mount Holly Springs. North on 34 straight into the center of Carlisle and then a left turn onto Carlisle Springs Road (which is still Route 34). The Fairgrounds will come up on your right.
I have been going this way since my first Carlisle in the Spring of 1981 with great success. Good Luck.
Last edited by C2Scho; Jul 20, 2024 at 10:22 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: NC
Thanks folks. It was a much easier ride living in suburban NY, I84 to I81, but a PITA living in the Raleigh area. I always try to avoid DC, for many reasons, lol. I’m going to map out the routes suggested.. I prefer to avoid Fredericksburg as well, there always is an issue there. I have gone 95 to 17 and avoided the north side of Fredericksburg up to DC.
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From: Northern Virginia
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As a 16-year northern VA resident, I wholeheartedly concur with the suggestion to take US-15—it's a very enjoyable drive and well worth the few extra miles to avoid the craziness of the beltway.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: NC
We passed through Haymarket last year on the way home. Nice town.
We recently went up 95 clear through Fredericksburg. It looks like the years long construction has solved the congestion in that area.
So, 95 to 17 to 15 seems like a route we are going to take.
We recently went up 95 clear through Fredericksburg. It looks like the years long construction has solved the congestion in that area.
So, 95 to 17 to 15 seems like a route we are going to take.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 179
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From: Forest Virginia
My recommendation would be to opt for the Rt 29 suggestions. You can take a cut-through to I-64 by taking Rt 6 to Rt 151 to Rt 250 and then get on I-64 at Afton Mountain. If you look on the map, Rt 6 is North of Lovingston, VA. Also keep in mind that for most of Virginia, US 11 runs parallel to I-81 but if there is a problem on the I-81 US11 will get likely be backed up too.
Last edited by y2kcoupe; Aug 6, 2024 at 03:15 PM. Reason: add info
Le Mans Master
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Go 15. Drive through Gettysburg if you have never been. Quick off and right back on. Or you could go through Gettysburg on 34 and continue on that to Carlisle.