First time poster to this board but a long time lurker. My wife, kids(15,8,3) and myself are driving from our home in Seagrove Beach FL to Charleston, Baltimore to catch an O's game, DC to see the sights and then are heading home. Any suggestions on a different route to get home. I would like to get home in 3 days or so. We are open to anything and thanks for your help

Some of the older members of my family used to occaisionally use I-81 to I-75, through Atlanta, to get to get to Florida. It takes longer, but you'd go through the Shenandoah Valley, which is quite beautiful, and then down through the Smoky Mountains. I've never done it (always in too big of a rush), but they always said it it was a more pleasant ride. I'm sure you could find some interesting places to stop along the way.

Also, if you have not gotten Orioles tickets yet, because they have stunk for the past 10 years, you can often scalp great box seats, behind the plate, at a substantial discount. One thing they have at the stadium is called the "No Scalp Zone" which is regulated by ushers, where you can buy second hand tickets at a price that may not exceed face value. It's the best way to get really good seats - the discounts are usually better on weekday evenings.

I am thinking about trying the no scalp zone. I'm not sure how much of a gambler that I am considering its a Saturday night game against the Yankees. Thanks for the info on the Smokey mts. We are considering that.

Take I-66 out of DC to I-81 in the Shenandoah Valley.

On the way stop at the Manassas Battlefield off I-66, and the New Market Battlefield and Museum exit 264 I-81.

At Staunton, visit the Frontier Cultural Museum. From that point south you can get off I-81 along the way and pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Roanoke area. Be sure to visit the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford which is before Roanoke.

From there you can continue down to the Smokies.

Here's another alternative route you might want to consider, if you'd enjoy seeing lots of mountains.....

Take 66 from DC to 81 South. Instead of taking 77 towards Charlotte and back to 85, 40 or 95....stay on 81 into Tennessee. About half an hour after you cross the Tennessee state line, you'll see a well-marked exit for Future 26.

Take 26 East into the Asheville area. You'll pass through some phenomenally beautiful mountains.

From Asheville, take 26 East down into South Carolina and all the way back to 95 to head into Florida.

There are plenty of sights to see and places to stay along the way. Many maps and driving direction web sites still do not have I-26 shown as being completed from Tennesse to Asheville, but it is. It's still labeled "Future 26" on the road signs, but that will probably change soon.

Yes, this will add a bit of time to your travels, but since you say you have three days or so, it might be just what you are looking for.

Or you can go down the coast. Go over the the Eastern Shore, and down US13 through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. Continue to the outer banks of NC, past Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, Charleston and then get back on I-95 after Savannah.

3 days will be tight, as the roads are much slower, and you want to stop at some of the places. 4-5 days for that drive will be very nice.

The July 28 game is sold out. Can get 5 seats together for the Sept 29th game, tho, at orioles.com

I'd assume that the Sept 29 game would not sell out or, if it did, that seats will be available at that NS Zone. Both teams will be out of the pennant race by then.