Community Forums

SteveW123 · 08-04-2017, 11:43 AM

We are planning to travel from near Bristol Tn to Chambersburg, Pa. Can anyone comment on the road conditions of I-81?

A32Deuce · 08-04-2017, 12:10 PM

Not s bad route. A lot of trucks and grades are not too bad. I run this route from home to Nashville. Covered Bridge KOA is one place I have stayed in over night several times. My class C is 3 ft plus a 21 ft car trailer. Nice long pull throughs.

SteveW123 · 08-04-2017, 12:14 PM

Thank you, I appreciate your input.

A32Deuce · 08-04-2017, 12:53 PM

You are welcome.

smlranger · 08-04-2017, 12:59 PM

I-81 is not bad. Some grades in SW Virginia but it is scenic in most of Virginia. Some folks complain about the truck traffic but you will find trucks on most any interstate in the U.S.

TomandGloria · 08-04-2017, 01:05 PM

I agree. I have driven that many times with my Suncruiser and the only long grade is Christianburg Mountain. Not bad, but that is the only place I recall with a long grade. Just came down from PA last week to Route 17 in VA. No problems at all. Like Gary said, lots of 18 wheeler traffic, but that is everwhere anymore. Enjoy the ride, beautiful scenery through the mountains.

SteveW123 · 08-04-2017, 01:39 PM

Thank You.

Air Conditioned Gypsy · 08-05-2017, 08:58 AM

We drove north from Roanoke to I-66 yesterday, then cut east on 66.. 81 runs through a beautiful part of Virginia. For the part we were on, road condition is mostly fine, but there is a bit of construction just north of Roanoke, not bad though.

Only real problem is trucks outnumber other vehicles by a HUGE percentage. Too bad, because they kinda ruin the great beauty of the drive for me.

SteveW123 · 08-05-2017, 09:22 AM

Thanks for the information, we appreciate it. Have a great day!!!

JFXG · 08-06-2017, 12:58 AM

When we were coming north last April we joined I-81 at Ft Chiswell (I-77), and rode it north to the I-78 interchange northeast of Harrisburg. I recall good road just about all the way. A bit bumpy through Harrisburg, but bad road is pretty much what you get in most of Pennsylvania.

Several have commented on the truck traffic. True, but it's helpful to keep in mind that the Interstate System was originally conceived and built for commercial and military logistics. The fact that millions of folks can cross four states to visit Aunt Millie or go on vacation started as a secondary benefit but over the years has become part of the great commercial benefit to our economy.