This Summer, I need to take my daughter to Duke to start her freshman year. What is the best route (faster and easier) from Chicago to Durham? Thanks.

The shortest and fastest Interstate-only route is I-65/I-74/I-75/I-64/I-77/I-74/I-40, about 840 miles via Indy, Cincinnati, Lexington and Charleston.

However, if you don't mind a few traffic lights, I suggest the following:

I-65 to Indy
I-70 to Dayton
US35 to just west of Charleston
and then pick up the Interestates again.

That'd save you about 60 miles. A good part of US35 is freeway, and is a pretty fast route once you get out of Dayton.

Thank you, rkkwan.

Oh, if you do take US35 (which I've driven many times as a truck driver), note that you can pick up Highway 34 in West Virginia to get back on I-64 a few miles earlier than if you stay on US35.

I don't have suggestions for the northern part of your trip, but as a Durham resident, please take I-40 (instead of I-85) when the interstates divide around Hillsborough.

I-85 is under construction in the Durham area (I think it has been under construction since the beginning of time)

Take I-40 to exit 270 (Highway 15-501, it will say Durham and Chapel Hill) and then head towards Duke.

Thanks to rkkwan and ncgrrl.

rkkwan,

I estimate the US35 section is about 150 miles. Typically, how long does it take (from Dayton to Charleston)?

Originally, I was planning to take I-80/90 to Cleveland and then take I-77 all the way to Charleston.

Thanks again.

Another thought. On I-77 soon after crosing into NC, take highway 52 (around Mt. Airy) over to I-40. This should cut off a few miles off the trip. Highway 52 will cut over to I-40 in Winston-Salem. There is some construction on 52. Highway 52 might also be called "Future I-?".

Durham to Charleston WVa is around 6 hours.

Kenny - US35 is mostly freeway, and even when it's not, it's 4-lanes in OH. The only slow part is a few miles just outside Dayton, before Xenia, but that may be improved now.

The only 2-lane section is about 40 miles in WV, but traffic is usually pretty light.

You should be able to average 55-60MPH on this route.

And, yes, I'm assuming you're taking the US52 from I-77 down to Winston-Salem. It's called "Future I-74", or maybe already called I-74.

I second rkkwan's second suggestion. It is about3+ hours from Dayton to Charleston on Route 35. It is almost all 4 lane freeway now.
Actually re-reading, I take 35 to route 23 south, drop down to Portsmouth along the Ohio, take 52 to I64E to Charleston. That is my 3+ hours from Dayton time. Also agree about I40--85 is always a nightmare.