Akron, OH to Washington, DC (rail, route, mountains, easy)

[Lilac11]

Hello, has anyone traveled from Akron, OH to Washington, DC via I-70? In the mountains, is the road very difficult? Is it steep?

[bigbear99]

No interstate on this route has very steep hills. The PA turnpike will have some, but they're manageable. ]

What is your concern? Are you towing a trailer with an underpowered vehicle?

[reed303]

Check this website
https://www.flattestroute.com/Akron-...Washington--DC

where you'll see most of the route is Green (Easiest) with a few Yellow (Easy) spots. No Orange, Red, or Black.

[rational1]

At Wheeling you have a choice of 70 or 470. If I remember right 70 has some sharp curves and seems narrower.

That's the only part of your route that I remember as even remotely requiring extra care.

[bus man]

Most of the route, basically from north of Pittsburgh, PA to around Frederick, MD, is mountainous. Grades of 5 percent are common, and while 5 percent isn't all that much, when it keeps on coming, again and again and again, up and down and up and down, it can get wearying.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike, which is I-76 from the state line to Breezewood, PA, is not one of the better designed roadways. They're working to improve it, but I still find it to be a bit substandard for what an interstate highway should be. My vote would be to take I-79 south from Cranberry Township, PA to Morgantown, WV, then follow I-68 east to Hancock, MD, where you'll rejoin I-70. It's mountainous on that route too, but the highways (especially I-68) are much better designed and I find it noticeably easier to drive. It'll add about 45 minutes to your drive but you'll save on tolls. (You'll have to pay the toll on I-76 in Pennsylvania but I-79 and I-68 are free, as is I-70 in Maryland.)

Edit to add, the approach to Cumberland, MD is curvy and steep going downhill. The speed limit is posted at 40 mph, and you would do well to adhere to that. Looks like You Tube's got you covered; here's a video showing what the drive to and through Cumberland looks like. Right around 3:40-3:45 on the video, as you're approaching the Industrial Blvd. exit, you get a glimpse of the city's attractive, historic downtown. Look left (which the video does not do) in that area to enjoy the view a little bit longer. Or, take the exit and explore it on your own; it's a neat place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIIpfMQX5TI

[bigbear99]

I 68 is a lightly travelled modern stretch of highway, but very hilly. If you think the PA turnpike is steep, compare again.

Keep in mind though that somewhere, somehow, one needs to get through the Appalachian mountains. This isn't Kansas. Just slow down and enjoy the scenery.

[Lilac11]

Thank you all for the information!