I-85 construction (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro: 2015, school, area)
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Hi,
I'm going to drive from Richmond area to Asheville. It looks like there is a lot of construction on I-85. Will is significantly slow down the drive?
Don't you need to be on I-40 to go to Asheville? I don't think there's much construction on 85 from Durham to Greensboro where 40 and 85 run along together. I haven't been up your way in awhile so not sure of Petersburg to Durham. If you stay on 85 you'll go to Charlotte, not Asheville.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FLgirl367
Hi,
I'm going to drive from Richmond area to Asheville. It looks like there is a lot of construction on I-85. Will is significantly slow down the drive?
Thanks!
Are you talking about I 85 to US 74 or I 85 to I 40?
In NC there is a resurfacing project on I-85 in Warren and Vance counties, for about the first 20 miles after you cross the VA line. There may be a lane closed along there, but its a very rural area, and I don't think you'll experience much of a problem on any day other than a huge travel day (Wednesday before Thanksgiving, for example).
You might want to post on the Virginia board for that part of the trip, if you haven't already done so.
I'll piggy-back off this post (yay for searching).
Has anyone been on I-85 through Vance County lately? I know there isn't a lot of traffic on that portion relative to the rest of I-85, but it seems to be a lot of work and lane closures. I also seem to recall the NB side being back up for bridge construction near Henderson when I went through SB last November. There is also work on the Virginia side. Trying to determine if it's worth the extra miles to take US 70 - I-440 - US 64 to I-95 from NW Raleigh. Don't even suggest US 1; I refuse to drive through Wake Forest with the afternoon school traffic.
I was on I-85 in Vance a few months ago, and while it's a hassle, it's still not enough of a delay to indicate to me on Google Maps not to use that route when heading from Durham to Richmond, DC, etc. in favor of the others you suggested, especially if you're talking during rush hour. According to the NCDOT website, the 20-mile rehab to the Virginia state line is slated to last until the end of 2020 (!), so if you find that aggravating along with the usual boredom on that stretch of I-85, you may want to go ahead and plan your alternate route accordingly anyway.
I was on I-85 in Vance a few months ago, and while it's a hassle, it's still not enough of a delay to indicate to me on Google Maps not to use that route when heading from Durham to Richmond, DC, etc. in favor of the others you suggested, especially if you're talking during rush hour. According to the NCDOT website, the 20-mile rehab to the Virginia state line is slated to last until the end of 2020 (!), so if you find that aggravating along with the usual boredom on that stretch of I-85, you may want to go ahead and plan your alternate route accordingly anyway.
Thanks! I'll give it a try tomorrow. Looking at the traffic data today for the approximate time I'll be traveling through that area indicated slow-downs, but no major stopping/congestion. I prefer 85 to 95 anyway, except that it dumps you onto 95 in Petersburg north of 295, which is my preferred route AROUND Richmond. Especially at 5:00 PM. Ugh.
Thanks! I'll give it a try tomorrow. Looking at the traffic data today for the approximate time I'll be traveling through that area indicated slow-downs, but no major stopping/congestion. I prefer 85 to 95 anyway, except that it dumps you onto 95 in Petersburg north of 295, which is my preferred route AROUND Richmond. Especially at 5:00 PM. Ugh.
Once you get to Petersburg coming in on I-85, just take US-460 East to I-295. It's not really that much backtracking. Just watch out for Hopewell's speed trap. There's a 2 mile stretch of I-295 that goes through Hopewell city limits near VA-36 (exit 9A, 9B). Also, do NOT exceed 80mph in VA, even in a 70mph zone. If you get caught doing 80mph or more, you can get charged with Reckless Driving, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor criminal charge.
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