We will be stopping overnight in the vicinity of these two cities during a trip to Myrtle Beach in a couple of weeks. Looking for suggestions on accommodations outside of the big cities in perhaps Beckley or perhaps Warrentown? Just need nice clean rooms and perhaps an indoor pool for the kids to take a dip and relax after driving all day. Unfortunately, we won't have time to explore in these areas though.

You may want to go about 1 1/2 hrs. South of Pittsburgh and stay in Morgantown, WV. If you are not sightseeing and want to miss the crowd, I'd suggest this. I am from a Pittsburgh suburb and have traveled I-77 through WV to Myrtle Beach. I'd recommend maybe traveling onto Charlotte and staying overnight there and then going the rest of the morning to Myrtle Beach. It will not take long.

So you may be able to gauge, Charleston, WV is 5 hours from Charlotte and MB is 3 1/2 (the way we go).

thanks for the help!

do you mean Warrendale?....and where are you coming from....and how many hours do you want to travel a night?.......that is the BIG ????

Well the plan is to leave Guelph Ontario about 4 or 5 pm and drive for say 5 or 6 hours and stop. That should take us to Pittsburgh or area via I-79. Then leave the next morning and drive abpit 4-5 hours via I-76 and I-70 to Washington [staying in Silver Spring] for two nights. Then drive down to Myrtle Beach from there. We are staying at the Coral Beach Resort for 5 nights. Coming back we are going I-77 to I-79 and travelling about 9 hours a day. So stopping halfway home would take us to around Charleston WV.

And yes I guess I meant Warrendale, north of Pittsburgh.

At either the Warrendale or (preferably) Cranberry exits onI-79, just north of Pittsburgh, you'll find numerous motels and chain restaurants. If you're only looking for a place to sleep and no atmosphere, these should do well. Probably the best place to eat (at the Cranberry exit, which will have the most hotel and restaurant choices) is Bravo, an Italian franchise but not really a chain, with better-than-chain food, good wine and reasonable prices. Max & Erma's would be the next choice.

tyrannulet:

If that is your plan, to go on 76, you may want to stop off at Breezewood, PA, (100 miles east of Pittsburgh) on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and stay at one of the dozens upon dozens of motels. It is farm country but this place really lights up the countryside like you would not believe. There is a Bob Evans there you might want to have breakfast at before leaving South.

Ok, I will check out what there is at Cranberry and Breezewood. I have some hotel points racked up, so am hoping to use some up during this trip. We have one free night in Washington so far courtesy of Hilton HHonours. Morgantown may be a possibility coming back. We'll be driving right through Charlotte, but is there anything that is a must see there, that we should stop for? And will we be going through Pennsylvania Dutch country? or Amish country?

If you have children along there is a wonderful science museum (Discovery Place) in downtown Charlotte. An excellent museum of craft and design right across from it (Discovery Pl.).

Having lived in Charlotte and driven to MB many times, I am always curious about the routes that folks take. Especially those coming south on I-77.

As everyone knows, there is no direct route to MB (except via the airport).

Is anyone up for swapping their favorite routes?

there is Amish country in New Wilmington<Pa.--but you`ll have to get off the Interstate to see it..the Grove City exit...the Grove City Outlet Mall is at that exit too.....

T:

If you decide to stop just North of Pittsburgh, I would suggest that you skip Cranberry mall because it is a little too far off I-79 (tons of traffic). Grove City Outlets can be seen from the highway and it is very easy to get to and you may want to stock up on some cheap clothing at Eddie Bauer or some other place. Nice walking outdoor mall. I would suggest going to a yellow building (restaurant) just before Grove City mall entrance. The place is called Elephant Room and it has a British telephone booth in front of its entrance. They have very good food.

Beckley is an hour away from Charleston. It has plenty of typical chain hotels off of the Harper Road exit. Charleston isn't that big of a city - alot smaller than Pittsburgh. Off the Virginia Street exit in Charleston there is a Holiday Inn Express, Marriott, and Hampton Inn.

Thanks guys! These are great suggestions!

T.:

If you want to stay at Grove City Outlets, the Elephant Room Restaurant also has rooms for $58 a night (on 2nd level)- never stayed there. Across from Grove City Outlets is an Amerisuite and I think a Best Western. For breakfast you could go to Eat n' Park, which has a yummy breakfast bar.

sounds like you just want a bed for the night on the 1st night..if it were me I`d drive to Washington,Pa. about an hour south of Pittsburgh,right off 79...there are hotels and restaurants and an easy on next am....or Morgantown another hour past there...only Hilton I know of is dwontown Pittsburgh...what other hotels can you use points for....Beckley doesn`t have to much...maybe some hotels and a few restaurants...if youdo go to PGH/Cranberry/warrendale area the only indoor pool is the Sheraton...and the pool would be closed at 10.which it sounds like will be your arrival time...it`s not a hard of and on unless it`s rush hour ....there is a 24 hour Kings restaurant there.....

We have points for Hilton groups of hotels which include Hampton and Fairfield, Holiday Inns, and Marriott. We'll be going off onto 76 and 70 toward Washington so Morgantown and Washington PA will be the other way. Since my last post, I've booked a Marriott in Beckley for the route back [it's about halfway home and has an indoor pool]. We'll be driving all day that day and will need a wind down. So the way back is arranged. Still looking for a stopover for the way there though. Breezewood may be a little too far, though, so perhaps Grove City or Warrendale/Cranberry. Don't think we'll have time for a swim anyway the first night...we'll want to get back on the road again to get to DC as quickly as possible! Does 76 get really busy during rush hour around Pittsburgh? I'm wondering if we should get past Warrendale then so as not to get stuck.

there is a Fairfield Inn at Cranberry/Warrendale....it`s at a light right of the exit..so it`s easier to get back onto route 19 to the Turnpike(76-just about a football field length away) or Intertsate (79)..even w/traffic.it`s really not that bad....or Grove City exit on I79 is really easy off and on..but puts you about 45minutes to an hour North og Pgh..