mojo61309

Hi all-- I originally posted this on Tripadvisor, but didn't get much action, but I'm cross-posting here for feedback.

This is probably my first of a few questions, but I'm planning a trip in mid-July that takes my family south on I81 to Sunset, SC. We've done this trip a couple times before, but I'm trying to plan a new route this year. I'm currently considering a stopover in Floyd, VA for one night (we have four year old twins so are not interested in doing the drive in one day). Google maps gets me there in about 6 hours and 40 minutes, not including stops, but roadtrippers.com has it closer to 8 hours. Any thoughts on this? Stops with the kids will probably cost us a couple hours (we like roadside adventures) so I'm wondering if getting to Floyd is too ambitious. Last year we stopped in Roanoke, and was originally planning on Lexington for this year. But Floyd looks really interesting and it also helps me avoid the more mountainous drive of 81 to 26 and instead points us down 77 to 40 (I hate heights and windy roads!) Open to suggestions!

We are traveling the weekend of July 11th. Our original plan was to leave on Saturday morning (8ish), stay somewhere halfway Saturday night and then do the remainder of the trip. In my brief look into Floyd, VA, it seems like Friday nights are the cool experience in town, so I'd consider driving on Friday and Saturday instead. Again, leaving around 8. So there are options.

As I said, we've got two young kids. I have a tentative plan for leg stretches/fun excursions:

Harrisburg-- Midtown Scholars Bookstore (we stopped here before, and it is a great spot). Farmers Market across the street

Either Harrisonburg Children's Museum or Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton, depending on weather and what we think will be the best break for the kids

Floyd, VA or Lexington-- overnight stay (I've got potential activities for each, just not sure which way to go). I wouldn't want to arrive somewhere later than 6pm, and we will have a couple hours of stops most likely, so that's why I'm curious about time.

The second leg depends on the stopover.

If we do stay in Floyd, I'd love to take the kids to the Western North Carolina Air Museum in Hendersonville, NC, but need a stop prior to that for the kids. Can't seem to find anything. I'm not really into the whole Mayberry scene. So open to ideas.

If we stay in Lexington, we'll probably stop on the second day in Abingdon and Brevard, as we did last year.

The downside of taking the more eastern Floyd route means we won't be close to stop in Brevard, NC, which we really enjoyed last summer. It also wouldn't really make sense to stop in Roanoke prior to Floyd for the transportation museum, which we've wanted to do with the kids.

I'm just wondering if this trip option is a good one, or if we should just do what we've been doing for the last couple years, but find different stops along the same route! Ahhh!!! So many choices...

Also I just read that 77 has a very steep grade between Fancy Gap and Charlotte-- I'm not sure I can handle that, but I'm also not a fan of The Highlands near Ashville, which we have to go through on the other route!

Gretchen

I had to look up where this is and I don't think going all that way down I81 is particularly necessary.
"Also I just read that 77 has a very steep grade between Fancy Gap and Charlotte-- I'm not sure I can handle that, but I'm also not a fan of The Highlands near Ashville, which we have to go through on the other route!"

It is a really beautiful stretch of road that gives a stunning view of the Piedmont valley. The "pulls" up around Asheville are longer and steeper and more of them.

I would come down I77 and if you wanted to make a little detour, run over to Winston Salem to Old Salem.
The rest is up to you and your desires for the kids' stopping.
Brevard is a great little town.

mojo61309

Thanks for the reply. We usually take 81 down to 26, which takes us through Ashville (and I think near here is where we go through the very steep, windy roads). On the way back home, sometimes we take 85 to 95 and up the east.

In terms of the 77 vs. Highlands area, I'm embarrassed to even be basing our route around my anxiety, but last year I truly had a panic attack on some of the twists and turns up there! I guess what I don't like is feeling like we're driving "on the edge" of a really steep drop, especially when there are lots of turns. Heading south, do you know if you're on the land side of the road, mostly, or the open side that looks over the valley?

Also, if anyone can give feedback on getting to Floyd from Philly in one day of driving with kids (say, 7 hours of travel and 2 to 2 1/2 hours of stops) or if that's pushing it, I'd appreciate it.

Any thoughts on Floyd or Hendersonville? Worth taking the new route to stop at both places?

Virginia1990

Southbound on 81 across Fancy Gap is landside, and I don't think it's a bad drive at all. I used to drive it all the time when I went to school down in Hickory.

I'm not sure about how crowded it is trying to get out of Philadelphia, but I know Friday afternoons on 81 southbound can be a bit packed. So keep that in mind as far as your driving time. Sounds like you would probably be hitting Roanoke around rush hour traffic, which isn't awful but can be somewhat of a pain as well. I don't know much about the Floyd area, but have heard it's beautiful and the bluegrass music is fun on Fridays.

There's also more fun things for kids in Staunton besides just Gypsy Hill Park (although the park is wonderful). Have you thought about the Natural Bridge area just past Lexington?

Virginia1990

Another idea that I just thought about (if you are taking 81 to 77 to 40) is Sims Country BBQ in Granite Falls, NC. They are only open on Friday and Saturday nights from 5pm-9pm, but it's a lot of fun. You pay $10/person (kids may be cheaper), and it's all you can eat BBQ buffet that includes beans, potato salad, macaroni salad, chips, and desserts. They will have a live bluegrass band that starts around 7pm or so, and everyone can get up and dance and they even lead some line dancing and square dancing. Sometimes the cloggers perform as well. Don't be put off by the looks of the place though, it's just an old one story building that doesn't look like much. It may be a fun place for you to stop at for dinner on your way to Brevard that second evening.

I also just realized in my last comment I said southbound 81 crosses Fancy Gap. I meant 77. You get on 77 between Pulaski and Wytheville (exit 81), and then cross Fancy Gap as you cross the state line. If you decide to go over to Winston, you just take 74 over from 77 (near Mount Airy). Otherwise, stay on 77 to where you get on 40 in Statesville. The drive on 40 heading to Asheville from Hickory is a bit twisty at times when crossing Black Mountain, but I don't think it's quite as bad at 26.

Gretchen

Why would you take 40 to Asheville from 77. Come on down to Charlotte, take 74 west (VERY pleasant) to 26, etc. Shorter, and since he needs to, misses the Black Mountain/Olf Fort pull.
Yanno, these are interstates--4 lanes. It isn't like the old days on 2 lane roads. Don't ever go west of Kansas! ;o)

The road down 77 is on the inside of the "gap" as has been said. It is not long and it is not "windy".

Virginia1990

40 to Asheville from 77 is just the way I have always gone, I've never gone over to Charlotte and taken 74 to 26. Mapquest also sent me that when I checked (wasn't sure exactly where Sunset was), so I just assumed it was shorter. Good to know though for the next time I'm in that area

Gretchen

Route 74 is a 4 lane limited access highway, and VERY uncrowded. It is also the hypotenuse for where these folks are going.
85 wouldn't even be a bad way to get where they are going.

mojo61309

Thanks, Virginia and Gretchen! This is helpful. My google map also has me taking 77 to 40, but then has me getting off 40 around Salem and heading down 64 to 74 to 25. Does this make sense? Do either of you know anything about 64? I know we should come to Charlotte and we will on our route back home, via 85, I promise! Last year we stopped at Romare Bearden Park for a quick stretch and grabbed a bagel. It was fun for the kids and beautiful.

Also, thanks for all the advice about the route and the "pulls" as you all are calling them. I'm not willing to add hours to the trip, but if I can avoid them and see something new, it's a double win.

Gretchen, I think I remember you from all my route planning questions last summer. I still have a bunch of suggestions saved for this trip. I appreciate it.

Gretchen

The 64 route is a lovely drive--back roads. Since you don't like windy roads, I'd still suggest 74.
If you take I85 stop in Gaffney and buy some peaches and see the peachoid water tower. There are also good peaches on 74.
Stop in Charlotte and get some good BBQ also. The park is a little treasure. Discovery Place, our science museum, would be a GREAT stop for your kids. It is right downtown.

ronkala

Take 77 to Charlotte, and don't worry about the long downhill drive when you leave 81. Put it second gear, stay in the right hand lane, and let the traffic flow on by you.

mojo61309

Gretchen-- A follow up on 64. I'm ok with windy, as long as there isn't too much elevation. I wouldn't mind a nice drive on the backroads if it's not elevated. What do you think?

From Floyd, We'd drive down 77 to 40, then head down 64 at Salem to 74. From there it has me catching 25 at Flat Rock and heading down to 276/11/133...

I'd love to stop off for some peaches (if we take 85 on either way we will stop in Gaffney). Other morning or afternoon stops? We'll miss the barbeque suggested by Virginia because of the timing, and probably won't go to Brevard because of the new route, so any towns to stop in or roadside attractions would be great!

Gretchen

Please, we are not talking about Rocky Mountain elevation anywhere here. GET over it!! And I had a mother like this!!
You will see a lot of farmstands. Gaffney is the epicenter.

bmillersc

If you are going back to PHI via Charlotte, etc., take SC 11 from Sunset all the way to Gaffney, where you can pick up I-85. Hwy 11 is the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, and is a pretty drive along the base of the "Blue Wall" mountains, but is not a winding road as it is below the mountains.

Along Hwy 11 you will pass Strawberry Hill where you can get some of the best peaches to be found anywhere around Upstate SC. And of course, when you get to Gaffney, you will see the Peachoid, which is sporting it's first new paint job since the mid-90s and looks great.

mojo61309

Thank you! I will definitely keep this on my list for the return trip!

bmillersc

Another stop along Hwy 11 that wouldn't take too long is Cowpens National Battlefield. This is an NPS-managed Revolutionary War battlefield that has a nice little visitor's center and short driving tour where you can learn about one of the turning points of the Revolutionary War.

mojo61309

Thanks. We're not really history buffs, but I'll keep it in mind.