I-66 West to I-81 South, Virginia

Follows I-66 West from Front Royal to I-81 South through the Shenandoah valley through a series of clips to as far as Mile 190.

[@UsonianAC]

The Shenandoah Valley is just one of many valleys forming one of the oldest trade routes in North America, the Great Appalachian Valley, a chain of valleys stretching from the Canadian province of Quebec to the U.S. State of Alabama. Interstate 81 traverses the Great Appalachian Valley, so it is a vital truck corridor between the northeastern and southeastern United States.

[@frankconnelly8880]

and again,you are helping me go on my last great road trip,and i am going to enjoy every mile of it,i was told that I-81 is the best way to get to orlando,florida. so i will go that way

[@AJTLfilms]

I think this is the best rural drive in Virginia

[@LorenzoMoore1000]

I had to drive down to Atlanta from Baltimore and this was my 2nd time....We took 695 to 70W to 81S down to 77 into Charlotte NC into 85 straight into Atlanta and I loved it.

[@EuropeanRoads]

Great one! Gotta love the Shenandoah Valley. If that's THE truck corridor in Eastern U.S. then you haven't seen European truck corridors! On some freeways, the right lane is solidly filled with trucks for dozens of miles in a row. Especially in Germany, Netherlands and Belgium.

[@nathanmohn4272]

This is a bypass route for truckers the main trucking corridor on the east coast is I-95.

[@wschmrdr]

I only stayed on the US 17 part of 66, as I instead took 17 through to Winchester and then 81 back home. Speed trap-y but a VERY lovely drive.

[@bigburnize]

I will be driving through here on my way to Baltimore from Louisiana in a few weeks. Nice scenery.

[@valkhorn]

I agree with FreewayJim. I've done the southern route to DC through NC, and the northern route through TN and the 'spine' of VA (as I call it). Generally the northern route is just a bit longer but it's much less in the way of traffic and MUCH more scenic.

[@madbengalsfan85]

Been on I-81 from the TN border to the Blacksburg area, and for a road in the Appalachians, it is surprising easy to drive

[@historicalshadow1454]

It isn't one of the busiest trucks routes in the east, it IS the busiest truck route.

[@PGHammer21A]

That is due to it being the only truck route between Interstate 70 and Interstate 40. Interstate 81 and the towns and cities along it (especially Winchester, Front Royal, Roanoke, Salem, etc.) grow lots of apples, peaches, and grapes - in addition to being Virginia's winemaking region - that product has to get east somehow! Still, this area's most controversial product it shipped east was - lightbulbs. I did NOT stutter. And yes; the lightbulbs were MORE controversial than either the repeating rifles, shotguns or even their ammunition - the sin they committed was being INCANDESCENT.

[@jagsnatsfan]

I drive on I-81 and I-66 on a regular basis. There is tons of truck traffic on I-81. I live off of exit 315 in Winchester.

[@wschmrdr]

I-81 is fairly scenic between Binghamton and Cortland (but a VERY common speed trap, and they like to bust people going 66), alright through Syracuse (through I highly suggest the bypass), and north of there through the Tug Hill Plateau is nice. They're building a new interstate up there (I-781) to service Fort Drum. The northernmost part near the St. Lawrence is REALLY beautiful.

[@Freewayjim]

I-81 is a pretty ride, I don't find it boring at al, just long. Borrrring is I-85 from Petersburg, VA to Durham, NC, I-81 allows me to miss that on the way back to ATL.

[@paulinetaylor388]

Freewayjim

[@fftinag2]

great routes

[@patlk]

i know 66/81 well i had fam that went to JMU forum the mid 90s to 2004 its nice to see it again!

[@Freewayjim]

@TammyLoves2Read Thanks and I'm glad to know my video brought back a pleasant memory for you!

[@txkid1]

I've been on this road a lot. Would love to see a continuous time line from the border to I-40.

[@Freewayjim]

Interesting question regarding JMU. I am originally from NH but grew up in Atlanta.

[@Freewayjim]

I have one of I-77 coming in to NC from VA down the hill.

[@didimichou]

Is there an exit on I-66 to take the Skyline Drive ... and than from that road to the I-64 east.... ... many thanks ... Keep up the good work.... love your videos... !!!!!!! :-))

[@FreewayBrent]

I might have to consider an I-81 drive, on my way down from Boston.

[@tybois74]

A couple updates for ya. Speeds in the Harrisonburg and Staunton areas are up to 65, while the rest of the interstate is now 70 MPH. Would love to see I-81 from I-66's exit 1B to the PA line. That would be nice. :)

[@Freewayjim]

You just did, thanks.

[@Freewayjim]

ATL to DC I-85N to I-77N to I-81N to I-66E more interesting and less traffic than 85/95, maybe a little longer but not to much.

[@Gruezi583]

nice road .. like vermont .

[@Freewayjim]

@orangemonster2k1 Agreed! thanks.

[@wilsonkm]

The stretch of I-81 is really beautiful....and as a JMU student, I wonder if we are one of the few, if not, the only school that is divided by an interstate.... BTW, where are you originally from?

[@PGHammer21A]

I am not that familiar with this section of Interstate 66, as it only existed in pieces my three trips through this area; instead, I am familiar with VA 55 - which parallels Interstate 66 (and with it shares pavement in stretches). The even stranger part is that US 48 - which meets Interstate 66 at Interstate 81 - comes no further east - let alone replaces VA 55, despite it making sense. Speaking of which, VA 55 itself is a nice drive even where it merely parallels Interstate 66, instead of sharing pavement with it; however, it also has a rather rotten historical reputation as "Jim Crow Highway" - the last school districts in Virginia to segregate are all along VA 55 between Gainesville and Front Royal..

[@Bluetailvappy]

Yeah, I rarely ride in the left lane, unless it is to pass some of the slower trucks, as i find myself usually doing 68-71 on the interstates. You'd prolly be passing me too.

[@fissure226]

No joke yesterday I went from Fairfax to James Madison University, This EXACT video.

[@Freewayjim]

I agree but a friend asked me to film some of it as he had never seen it. I cut out the REALLY boring parts.

[@ducyhada]

Now what you've seen this video. Must be this idea for characters to I-95 North Richmond VA and I-95 North New Jersey Turnpike. I-95 South toward NJ 81 split.. On the US 1-9 ramp there is a detour sign . On the RT 139 split there will not be detour signs. On the Garden State Parkway. there will not delays on I-95 North there will be delays on Rt 440. On I-287 North there will be a left lane closed ahead . On RT 495 there will be a closed exit onto John F Kennedy Blvd.

[@Freewayjim]

The next two videos will tell you more.

[@Digatone]

When me and I my family moved out of Northern Virginia to moved to Bossier City LA we would take I-66 and then I-81 to leave that area

[@Freewayjim]

I never use Google Maps for that, I use AAA Triptiks and other maps, it's worked for me for the 27 years I've been driving.

[@assaultislove]

Is it faster to get from ATL to DC via I-75N/I-81N/I-66E? Or should I just continue drive the 85/95 route? And you're right, I-85 from Petersburg to Durham is as exciting as watching paint dry.

[@jaygee7028]

I-75N to I-40E to I-81N to I 66E* you forgot I-40

[@Freewayjim]

@cas66ragtop I was around 75 or so, Virginia is a not a state you want to go over 80 in as they classify that as "Reckless Driving by Speed" if they catch you.

[@rchtmn2010]

Let me mention that once you exit onto I-81, you're facing west (as the interstate runs east and west) and in front of you is West Virginia off in the distance

[@jasonsadventures64]

Yeah, I-81 Virginia is a LONG ride.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks. No we took I-81 to I-77 and picked up I-85 in Charlotte, that's MUCH shorter.

[@Freewayjim]

@booklover691 I'd agree with that.

[@tybois74]

@Freewayjim Sure, no problem. :)

[@Freewayjim]

Well not too smart, I went that way on the ride north :) I just could bear the idea of doing it twice in one week.

[@Freewayjim]

There probably is, I'd suggest you check Google maps for the exact way.

[@LorenzoMoore1000]

I hate left lane hoggers on two lane highways. Nice video.

[@jasonsadventures64]

Speed limit is 65 through there. Most people like you and me obey it, some don't (points at FWJ lol)

[@suffolkvaboi]

you was flying wont u?

[@MazdaStrider]

I agree with him.. I-85 from Petersburg VA to Durham NC is sooooo boring.. Trees all the way from Petersburg to NC state line.. from the state line to Durham, NC.. nothing but developments.. He's smart to avoid that part.

[@Freewayjim]

Nah, I'm usually 5-10 over :)

[@JoeNJ1]

Arn't you supposed to keep in the right lane except to pass lol