A Sea Of Red

OK all of you Carolinians, I need the definitive answer as to which road should I take from the Raleigh airport up to Lynchburg.

Do I go up to Durham and take 501 all the way into the 'Burg?

Do I take 86 from I-40 up to Danville and then on up 29?

Back in the day this was a no brainer to drive up 501. But I know there have been improvements to some of the routes and I'm looking for the quickest route up from NC.


So what do you all think?

Do NOT drive up 501. You'll add an extra 45-60 minutes to your trip unnecessarily.

I-40W to NC-86N to VA-29N. Trust me. 86N is only a two-lane road, but so is 501. Once you get to 29N it's four lanes and 65MPH most of the way to Lynchburg. (I say most because the speed limit does dip here and there.)

From RDU you should be able to make in 2:45 with no stops.

I've only made this trip about 70 billion times.

Thanks for the clarification. 86 was a crappy option back when I used to make the drive and I always loved the drive up through Halifax. But time is of the essence in this trip. Thanks for the heads up.

I always take 501 because I was doing it before 29 upped the speed limit. If you didn't get stuck behind a slow person, 501 was about the same. But now I use the excuse that it's scenic.


Edit: also make sure that when you get into VA you DO NOT go more than 10 over the speed limit. 100% chance you get pulled over.

The sooner you can get on 29, the easier the ride. It's a straight shot from 29-on.

El Scorcho wrote:Do NOT drive up 501. You'll add an extra 45-60 minutes to your trip unnecessarily.

I-40W to NC-86N to VA-29N. Trust me. 86N is only a two-lane road, but so is 501. Once you get to 29N it's four lanes and 65MPH most of the way to Lynchburg. (I say most because the speed limit does dip here and there.)

There is no other way to go IMO...I live on 501 and its still not even close to being quick enough for me

Sly...take 40 to 146 (or whatever the Durham Freeway is called)...to 85S...EXIT almost right away to the US 70-W for about 8 miles, right on 86 to Danville. That should take you about 2 hrs and 15 mins.
(I had to make this trip multiple times during my mother-in-law's illness and funeral)

El Scorcho wrote:Do NOT drive up 501. You'll add an extra 45-60 minutes to your trip unnecessarily.

I-40W to NC-86N to VA-29N. Trust me. 86N is only a two-lane road, but so is 501. Once you get to 29N it's four lanes and 65MPH most of the way to Lynchburg. (I say most because the speed limit does dip here and there.)

From RDU you should be able to make in 2:45 with no stops.

I've only made this trip about 70 billion times.

Took both back in the day of my Freshman year. Realized quickly the 86 29 route was the only logical way. Been that way back and forth like a million times.

It took me less than two hours to get to RDU last time I went. RDU is closer to Durham than Raleigh really. You won't be on 40 long. I think you hit 86 in Hillsborough.

Coming from Raleigh, pass the first exit for 86 and there will be another exit shortly after tuning into 85. The first one's alright, but the second one avoids going through Yanceyville.

i will agree with rooskie on the route from RDU. durham freeway to I-85 south then once you merge onto I-85 south you can take the next two exits. one is business 70 and the other says efland. i always take efland because you totally avoid hillsborough and come out way up 86, but it can be tricky. then just roll 86 to 29 north. 2:15 minutes max. pm me sly if you want to know further about it.

Durham Freeway is 147, and yes 86/29 is the only way to go.

listen to el scorcho......I have made this drive atleast 10 times

40W to 86S to 29N

the easiest and fastest way....besides, hardly any cops come out on 86

I never see cops between Lynchburg and Chatham either and I drive that at least once a week.

I'm agreeing with above: 40 to 86 to 29

Also, there are signs around Altavista that say "Speed Limit Strictly Enforced" however I have yet to see a cop in that area running radar.

just fly into Lynchburg, then rent a car.

or give SJ 10 bucks to tote you around

problem solved

you're welcome

Flying into Lynchburg (or Roanoke for that matter) weren't options based on the flight schedules. It was Raleigh, Richmond, DC or nothing.

I hear Richmond is nice. (+ you could carpool w/ SCAR- just tell him to watch for puddles and wear your seatbelt)

or was, 20 yrs ago; not sure now.

Enjoy the trip- sure wish I could be there with you guys

I've flown in and out of Richmond before...its a nice airport-just remodeled-and not hard to get to. About the same distance as RDU.

i drove it for 9 years during my time in raleigh and have taken multiple routes. if you go straight 86 you will run through downtown hillsborough which at times sucks. take rooskie's route from RDU and get off at the buisness 70 or "truck route" that runs you into 86 and avoids downtown hillsborough. simple and fast from RDU and don't believe dickens about cops on 86...they may not be there every 5 miles or so, but they are out there.

bigsmooth wrote:take rooskie's route from RDU and get off at the buisness 70 or "truck route" that runs you into 86 and avoids downtown hillsborough. simple and fast from RDU

+1

I have made the trip a million times... Sly the Effland exit is exit 160....take that onto 86 then on to 29....

i prefer that route too GMTM, but it can be tricky to someone who does not know it.

I'm going to be a dissenting voice here. I've made the trip probably 40 times or so over the years, and I now always take 70 W. from RDU to 501. Yes, 501 (Roxboro Rd.) does take you through North Durham, Roxboro, South Boston, Brookneal and Rustburg, but the route is 35-40 miles shorter than the one most are suggesting, and it usually takes me about 2:15. I've made it in under 2, but that was between 3 and 5 AM, on my way to catch a 6:00 flight. Most of the time I am making the trip either early in the morning (leaving) or late at night (returning). Going through all those towns in daytime traffic would slow you down.

El Scorcho wrote:I've only made this trip about 70 billion times.

givemethemic wrote:I have made the trip a million times...

I win. 70,000,000,000 to 1,000,000.