Looking for the best and safest route. Driving chevy duramax towing 38 foot 5er. never been to WV heard some grades can be tough. looking to go rafting with the kids. Any route or rv park info would help me alot. Thanks
Your best bet would probably be to come across I-68 to Morgantown, WV and take I-79 South to US 19 (Exit 57) towards Beckley, WV. There are a number of grades due to the mountainous area. But I don't recall one over 6% along the Interstate. You'll reach Fayetteville before the 9% grade on Hwy 19 at Midway, just before Beckley, so no problem. Many of the rafting outfitters have camping facilities in the area (see Camping)
I've over-nighted over the years at the Walmarts in the Fayetteville and Summersville areas while passing through during the winter. When rafting, I've always stayed at the Fayetteville Quality Inn.
What size truck and how heavy is your trailer. Driving 70 to 68 is much different than driving to Ocean City or down 95. Nothing to be afraid or anything like out west. But the grades are there a large trailer will try to push you down the mountain.
Let the tow mode do its job. An exhaust brake is also a nice feature to have if you make the trip regularly.
I-70 to I-81 to I-64 is a good alternative route. Lots of 18 wheelers and a bit curvy but the grades are not as steep.
I-95s to I-495w to I- 66w to I-81s may even be shorter but you have to deal with the always aggravating DC traffic.
Personally I think I prefer I 70 to I81 to I 64
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On the surface your truck appears a bit under rated. I would stick with the I 95 south route and avoid the grades as much as possible.
I-68 could be a bit of a challenge. Parts of I 70 could also be a concern.
I 95 is much more congested but less grades.
For what it's worth, I avoid the VA side of 495 between 270 and 66 unless it is really late at night or I have no choice. The traffic, insane drivers, construction, lane shifts, pot holes, and narrowness make that area harrowing even in a car unless you are very used to it.
If you are coming from Baltimore, take 70W.
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Eycom wrote: Your best bet would probably be to come across I-68 to Morgantown, WV and take I-79 South to US 19 (Exit 57) towards Beckley, WV. There are a number of grades due to the mountainous area. But I don't recall one over 6% along the Interstate. You'll reach Fayetteville before the 9% grade on Hwy 19 at Midway, just before Beckley, so no problem. Many of the rafting outfitters have camping facilities in the area (see Camping)
I've over-nighted over the years at the Walmarts in the Fayetteville and Summersville areas while passing through during the winter. When rafting, I've always stayed at the Fayetteville Quality Inn.
We've also used this 79/19S route towing our 28 -ft TT with a Suburban 1500 Z71. No problems on that leg of the journey. We've towed the I-68 stretch heading east/west to/from Baltimore, it is a bit of a pull. We prefer the PA Tpk route, seems that the hills aren't as bad, IMHO. We've spent several October weekends in Fayetteville, for the Bridge Day Festival, staying at Rifrafters CG, right off of 19, just a mile or two after the New River Gorge Bridge. Nice quiet, little CG
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