I-95 in SC and I-26 and I-77 in SC-Road Conditions

[Coldbear]

Heading from FL to NJ. Usually take I-95 north but are very concerned about road conditions, particularly in SC. Investing a good sum of money in front-end work and don't want to damage it.


A family member recommended I-95 N to I-26 W to I-77 N straight thru to I-81 E. I am familiar with I-81 but not with I-26 and I-77.


I looked at the 511 Apps, and studied the camera shots. Hard to see if the pavement is in poor shape, if there are pot holes, etc.


Can anyone provide any information on the road conditions (and construction) on these interstates?


Thanks so much!

[Olive]

I used that route a few weeks ago. I-26 in SC was the worst, quite rough in areas but I doubt any worse than most of our interstates. I use that route every year when I travel from Florida to PA with a side stop at Freightliner in Gaffney, SC for yearly service.

[WDW]

Consider old US 301 - I 95 out of FL to I -16 back to US 301 and north to Orangeburg where you join I-26 to I77. Dave’s you SC 85?and lower I—26. Very rural, no traffic.

[TravelWheels]

The I-95 northbound right hand lane in South Carolina is full of pot holes and lost pavement. Thought we were going to break a spring or blow a tire. You can try riding in the left hand lane but it’s not good to do that and tie up traffic. I think we are going to use the above suggested Hwy 301 next time we go up. We only did the east bound section of I-26 and it was rough. It’s been a couple of years since we have done the west bound drive.

[BayRunner]

I’ve taken I-95 to Fl and back 4 times in the last few months., Yes, SC can be a bit bumpy but didn’t think it was too bad. BTW, exit 98 at Santee, SC has a Starbucks with room to park an RV. We always make it a point to make this a rest stop to stretch out legs and get some decent coffee.

[Ben-Jo]

We swore we would never get back on I-95 in SC again if we could avoid it. Like previous post hwy 301 to Orangeburg is what we have ran on last two trips to Florida. Takes a little longer but road is good and usually light traffic, just some small towns to go through. Also much more relaxing because drivers on I-26 and I-95 drive like crazy people.

[andy29847]

I would stay on I-95 through GA, exit at US 321, Hardeeville, SC, and drive. 321 to Columbia. You go from 321 to I-77 avoiding I-26 altogether. If you hit Charlotte at a bad time, the west side loop is short and much less crowded. I-81 to Yankee Land Carries a lot of truck traffic, but it keeps you out of the big cities.

[journey15]

Originally Posted by WDW

Consider old US 301 - I 95 out of FL to I -16 back to US 301 and north to Orangeburg where you join I-26 to I77. Dave’s you SC 85?and lower I—26. Very rural, no traffic.

I second this route! Easy and nice scenery to look at. The loonies do not like this highway because they can't go 80-90 miles per hour!!

[Charming]

Because SC has never seen fit to have an interstate to the coast we have always taken exit 33 when heading south, exit 170 when heading west, and exit 181 when heading north. I have rarely traveled the I-95 between those exits.

[BT3927]

Originally Posted by andy29847

I would stay on I-95 through GA, exit at US 321, Hardeeville, SC, and drive. 321 to Columbia. You go from 321 to I-77 avoiding I-26 altogether. If you hit Charlotte at a bad time, the west side loop is short and much less crowded. I-81 to Yankee Land Carries a lot of truck traffic, but it keeps you out of the big cities.

I would second this suggestion. We've traveled 321 from Hardeeville and it's a decent enough road. Fairly light traffic. I-26 has heavy traffic pretty much all the time these days and I-95 in southern SC is just awful IMO.

[chuckbear]

We just traveled I95 through SC and I can say with confidence that it is the worst road we have traveled in a very, very long time. We were in fear for the coach for the first 100 miles north from the Georgia state line. Never again and there are no signs of road work that would make us think there will be any improvements in our lifetime. We haven't researched a work around route yet but are looking at some of these suggestions. Chuck

[TravelWheels]

Chuck, from what I have read some of the I-95 section is slated for 2026. The interchange at I-26 & I-95 is 2024. The rest is like 2030.

[chuckbear]

What that means is I will still have to avoid that highway for years. Chuck