Routes to Baltimore from western VA?

[riggies_imp]

I am going to visit a buddy that lives in Downtown Baltimore next week and going to make a mini trip out of it. I’ll be approaching from western Virginia, probably approaching from Roanoke or possibly somewhere a little north in W. VA? Anyone have any recommendations on destinations in that area?

I’m starting out in Charlotte NC and planning to head up to Roanoke VA the first night, after that I’ll be pretty open to suggestions.

 

[hb9400_imp]

Have you ever taken the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive ? Its close to Roanoke and very laid back.

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[riggies_imp]

Have you ever taken the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive ? Its close to Roanoke and very laid back.

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Yes I’m probably taking the parkway to Roanoke from Blowing Rock there will be a ton of tourist traffic so hopefully not too slow of a ride. How is the skyline road I have never been on that and it actually gets me a little closer to Baltimore then I thought.

I’m looking for suggestions on how to get to Baltimore from Roanoke while actually having a nice ride and avoiding the insane cities that surround that area. Maybe there is some local knowledge on how to sneak into it from the West because I know coming from the South through D.C. is awful.

 

[tommymck]

Have you ever taken the Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive ? Its close to Roanoke and very laid back.

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Yes I’m probably taking the parkway to Roanoke from Blowing Rock there will be a ton of tourist traffic so hopefully not too slow of a ride. How is the skyline road I have never been on that and it actually gets me a little closer to Baltimore then I thought.

I’m looking for suggestions on how to get to Baltimore from Roanoke while actually having a nice ride and avoiding the insane cities that surround that area. Maybe there is some local knowledge on how to sneak into it from the West because I know coming from the South through D.C. is awful.

Yes I’m probably taking the parkway to Roanoke from Blowing Rock there will be a ton of tourist traffic so hopefully not too slow of a ride.

I’m looking for suggestions on how to get to Baltimore from Roanoke while actually having a nice ride and avoiding the insane cities that surround that area. Maybe there is some local knowledge on how to sneak into it from the West because I know coming from the South through D.C. is awful.
Definitely. Make sure to route yourself through Harper's Ferry and check it out. At some point, you'll probably find yourself on I81N or will be running somewhat parallel to it. There is an exit for Charlestown, WV off of 81 that will lead you to Harper's Ferry. Leaving Harper's Ferry, take 15 North, and stop by the Frederick, MD historic district. Neat small town (actually, I think it's officially the second biggest in Maryland, but it's still a small town off on its own.) From there, you could take I 70 East towards Baltimore if you are in a hurry. It's pretty empty as highways go except for rush hour in the morning the last few miles before you get to the Baltimore Beltway.

Or, you can take MD144 as it winds its way parallel to I 70. You pass through a bunch of small towns on the way. Ordinarily, I'd suggest that you stop in Ellicott City, just 10 miles from Baltimore, but Main Street still isn't open after a recent flood.

Hope this helps.

 

[riggies_imp]

Fantastic suggestions, I’ll look into all of this on the map.

 

[KiowaEagle_imp]

Ellicott City is a cool little town. It's too bad about the flooding.

 

[tommymck]

Ellicott City is a cool little town. It's too bad about the flooding.

Last time a couple of years ago was bad, but the whole county pulled together to rebuild. Took nearly two years, but it was finally as good as new (or Old in Ellicott City's case.) Unfortunately the next 100 year flood struck within a few weeks I think of the re-dedication. People are a bit less enthusiastic about pitching in this time around...

Fantastic suggestions, I’ll look into all of this on the map.

And even if you don't do the whole skyline drive thing, you definitely want to do part of it if the weather cooperates. You can cut over about midway through off of I81 near Luray if you are looking to save a little time. They have a sort of cheesy tour of a cave in Luray that is actually quite fun. The cave is beautiful, but the presentation...well, it's a small town... And Skyline Drive is definitely is taking you in the direction you want. You'll end up taking I66 West to get back on I81 North. Past Winchester VA, cut over to Harper's Ferry and Bob's your uncle.

In my opinion, you don't want, under any circumstances, to take I66 East towards Washington and go around the Washington Beltway. That way madness lies...

 

[riggies_imp]

Ellicott City is a cool little town. It's too bad about the flooding.

Last time a couple of years ago was bad, but the whole county pulled together to rebuild. Took nearly two years, but it was finally as good as new (or Old in Ellicott City's case.) Unfortunately the next 100 year flood struck within a few weeks I think of the re-dedication. People are a bit less enthusiastic about pitching in this time around...

Fantastic suggestions, I’ll look into all of this on the map.

And even if you don't do the whole skyline drive thing, you definitely want to do part of it if the weather cooperates. You can cut over about midway through off of I81 near Luray if you are looking to save a little time. They have a sort of cheesy tour of a cave in Luray that is actually quite fun. The cave is beautiful, but the presentation...well, it's a small town... And Skyline Drive is definitely is taking you in the direction you want. You'll end up taking I66 West to get back on I81 North. Past Winchester VA, cut over to Harper's Ferry and Bob's your uncle.

In my opinion, you don't want, under any circumstances, to take I66 East towards Washington and go around the Washington Beltway. That way madness lies...

Oh man, I played that game in my F-150 recently, couldn’t imagine on a bike.