fastest route to Florida in winter
 

from Buffalo is the I-79/77 to I-95 the best. Or should we cut over to the east to catch the I-95 asap, going through Corning NY, Harrisburg PA. The drive from Erie,Pa to Morgantown to Beckley is through mountains and usually alot of snow

Um, get on a plane ? Depends - I-77 through W.Va. is always kept very clean in the winter so if that is your only concern, don't let that stop you. Also, where in Florida ? If you are heading to the gulf side, I-95 will be out of the way.

We are going for 5 weeks, that is why we are driving. The triptik or mapquest uses I-77 which joins the I-95 near Charleston. We are going to Ft Myers they cut off the I-95 on the I-10 in Jacksonville

This route doesn't make sense to me. I don't know the exact route from Buffalo, but I assume you know the fastest way to reach most of the major interstate routes. I grew up in Georgia and Florida, but have lived in New England for over twenty years. From New England I go down I-95 if I want to go to the East Coast of Florida, but I go I-84, to I-81, to I-77, to I-85, (Oops I forgot the 285 then 685(?) Atlanta bypass) and then to I-75 if I want to go to the West Coast of FL (and stop to see my mom on the way!)or if I want better scenery. The weather in the winter can make any of the roads north of the Florida line or at least south Georgia a problem in the winter. But I know that people in Buffalo are used to that!

We drive to/from Fort Myers twice a year from Ontario. We have two options through Detroit and down I-75 or through Buffalo and down 79/77/95 across I-10 in FL and down 75.
The drive using 77/79 etc is a much better drive in our opinion. I-75 is a straight run but so boring. It is a tiny bit shorter (distance) on 79/77 but a bit faster on 75. We decide last minute which to take (on a whim) but if we lived in Buffalo we wouldn't even consider 75. You can also cross FL on I-4 (which is shorter than 10) but prepare for lots of traffic through Orlando. As far as bad weather, I don't think it makes much difference, there are mountains either way and the roads are maintained as well as conditions will allow. Living in Buffalo, you can cope with that!

The interstates are kept clean soon after any snowstorm. But if there's one in the forecast, then you need to adjust the time or route, for sure.

The mapquest route looks like a straight shot to me. I'd take it (95 over 75)

AutoTrain?

Why wouldn't you take the thruway (I-90) to 81 South to 77 south to 75 south?

OOPS... I meant I-90 TO 81S TO 77S TO 85S TO 75S?

Most direct route/good highways: I-90 to I-79 to rte. 19 (into Beckley--this cuts off approx. 50 miles. Pick up I-77 to I-26 to I-95 then I-10 to I-75. Contrary to other opinions this is both the shortest and the fastest route -- and without weather complications by far the most pleasant route to drive.

The Corning (Painted Post) route thro Harrisburg is tedious and you lose a lot of time in reduced speed zones. Plus you have to go thro the Washington corridor which can be aggravating.

Return trip, try to stay in hotels with computer access -- most Hampton, Comfort, Fairfields etc. have business centres. That way you can check in advance and revise your route if needed. If it looks dicey on I-79 stay on 77 to Akron and cut across 80 to 79. No guarantees tho what conditions will be south of Erie, or along the lake, but being from Buffalo you know all about lake effect!!

With good driving you should be able to get to Jonesville NC on the south side of the ridge your first day -- great Hampton Inn there -- recommend it highly.

Safe travels.

If you're on I-95, don't (repeat, DO NOT) take I-4 across the state. It's a total nightmare. There's construction, awful traffic, and accidents galore. I live in Tampa and cringe any time I have to go to Orlando, although the construction from Tampa to Orlando has improved quite a bit.

I've made the trip between Tampa and DC many times, and I always take I-95 to I-10 to I-75. Very fast. I-10 is heaven compared to I-4.