Scenic Route: Orlando to Fairfax Station, Virginia

[Richard in Florida]

A million years ago I used to use 301 driving between New Jersey and Miami. I'm wondering if 301 would be a low-stress medium-speed route for my '53 Victoria between Orlando and Fairfax Station, Virginia. I wouldn't be in any hurry, and I don't want the I-95 grind.

Any experience to share ABOUT 301?

[Grandadeo]

Richard, all I can tell you is that three or four weeks ago we were on I-95 between Richmond and Fredricksburg VA and it was stop and go. I mean stop and then maybe 15 MPH - for no visable reason. ANY alternative would be an improvement, and you get to see some small towns and country side, mom/pop diners, etc. Used to be that taking the interstate at least got you there faster, not so much anymore - at least where I-95 is concerned.

Lee

[jim1932]

81 is a high speed alternative that we use to go from DC to Charlotte. 29 is a good road to look at as well (only know from NC to DC).

[Capn John]

I-28 from Charleston, stay on it or I-77 to I-81, Shenandoah valley, lotsa side trips and the balance of the route like we discussed a while back.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

IMHO I-81 is not the best road to travel in any weather except perfect weather and iven then it's iffy. Big rigs really move up on you and usually with little regard to our old cars. I personally like 301 from Williamsburg to Baltimore area to avoid I-95 which I do try and avoid like the plague. As a kid I rememeber going back and forth to Florida in the late 50s using Rt 1 - I guess you could call that the east coast's answer to Rt 66.

From northern Jersey I pick up Rt 1 into 295 which runs parallel to the NJTPKE, scoot across the Del Mem Bridge and then pick up 895 to 97 towards Annapolis just before Baltimore, and then hit 301 from there. Once you get down just before the Richmond area, pick up 295 off of 301 to skirt around Richmond towards Rocky Mount, NC.

After that I think 301 continues on and it's a pretty nice ride although I've never been on it. If you don't have one a GPS unit might be a good idea for that "just in case" time ....

[TomT/Williamsburg]

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Originally Posted by Grandadeo

Richard, all I can tell you is that three or four weeks ago we were on I-95 between Richmond and Fredricksburg VA and it was stop and go. I mean stop and then maybe 15 MPH - for no visable reason. ANY alternative would be an improvement, and you get to see some small towns and country side, mom/pop diners, etc. Used to be that taking the interstate at least got you there faster, not so much anymore - at least where I-95 is concerned.

Lee

So true, Lee - I really dislike I-95. Anyway, how ya been?

[Grandadeo]

Tom, been great but unproductive. I'll drop you a PM about that T Touring I was asking about, very interesting.

Lee

[365356]

I drove some of 301 in GA and SC not long ago (just outside Stateboro, GA to Allendale, SC). Light traffic and maintained pretty well, not a lot of bumps/potholes. Watch out for the small town cops!

[Dale Fairfax]

'Just gotta ask: why Fairfax Station? Dale Fairfax.

[oldford2]

When we go "back North" from Dunedin Fl (Tampa area) we take 301 to Orangeburg, SC where we pick up the interstate up thru Charlotte. That portion of 301 is a comfortable ride. Light traffic and not many big rigs. Don't know about 301 north of Orangeburg but looks good on the map. John

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by 365356

I drove some of 301 in GA and SC not long ago (just outside Stateboro, GA to Allendale, SC). Light traffic and maintained pretty well, not a lot of bumps/potholes. Watch out for the small town cops!

Thanks. Very useful information.

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by oldford2

When we go "back North" from Dunedin Fl (Tampa area) we take 301 to Orangeburg, SC where we pick up the interstate up thru Charlotte. That portion of 301 is a comfortable ride. Light traffic and not many big rigs. Don't know about 301 north of Orangeburg but looks good on the map. John

Thank you, as well.

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by Dale Fairfax

'Just gotta ask: why Fairfax Station? Dale Fairfax.

Sister lives there.

[Rebel Sympathy]

I'd have to agree with TomT/Williamsburg; I-81 is miserable with big trucks most all the time. Add some weather and it is downright dangerous. If I were going in that direction I'd be over on U.S. 11. Mike

[Ol' Ron]

A C-123, follow Irene up thr coast. You'll have a tail wind all the way to Vt. Bring the dog.

[phartman]

Originally Posted by Richard in Florida

A million years ago I used to use 301 driving between New Jersey and Miami. I'm wondering if 301 would be a low-stress medium-speed route for my '53 Victoria between Orlando and Fairfax Station, Virginia. I wouldn't be in any hurry, and I don't want the I-95 grind.

Any experience to share ABOUT 301?

301 is a poor choice south of Richmond and most of the way south through North Carolina. Much of the road serves as the access road immediately adjacent to I-95. I wouldn't do it. There are better routes.

I travel these areas almost every week in my sales job, and have for the last 30 years. My suggestion?

301 from north there of Orlando all the way to Orangeburg, SC. Then 601 to Camden. Pick up US 1 at Camden and travel on it through Pinehurst up to Sanford, NC. There, pick up 15/501N to Chapel Hill/Durham. From Durham, Route 15N back to Fairfax.

It's a terrific route, one of my favorite- and I'm a guy who HATES the interstate roadways. You'll get a big ol' taste of the real Dixie.

Pete

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

A C-123, follow Irene up the coast. You'll have a tail wind all the way to Vt. Bring the dog.

And of course that's exactly what all this pathfinder stuff is all about... so I can bring the dog. I never give up; you know that.

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by phartman

301 is a poor choice south of Richmond and most of the way south through North Carolina. There are better routes.

Now that's exactly the kind of usable information I'm after! Thanks, Pete. I will look into all this pronto.

[phartman]

Route 1 from Camden, SC all the up to Raleigh is a turn in the old South. Southern Pines/Pinehurst is a good spot to stop. And Route 15 from Chapel Hill all the up to Northern Virginia is just terrific. A real taste of old Virginia.

Sounds like a whale of a trip. Wish I were going with you.

Pete

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by phartman

Sounds like a whale of a trip. Wish I were going with you.

Now all I need is a copilot, the time, the money, and the courage.