Coming home from TN to Toronto - route choices?

[MicheleF]

Well, we've decided we are going to head home from Greeneville TN without too many plans. We will have 3-4 days to get home, it's just over 800 miles.

We will have come down via I-75.

We plan to spend 3 nights on the road getting home. Nice and easy. We probably won't make reservations (gasp!)

We could go home via I-75 and cross at Detroit, or I-77 & 79 and cross at Niagara Falls, or we could go do I-81 and cross in Upper New York. That last crossing puts us closest to home.

Which route is recommended for newbies? This is our first trip, and I would prefer to avoid very mountainous areas as we are new to towing.

Recommendations on things to see along the way, or good rest stops, are also appreciated.

thanks!

[Essness]

I think your best option to avoid any grades is to head north thru KY, OH, and thru Detroit. We just came up 75 from Asheville, NC in May. It has some slower Rowling hills thru KY that will level out in OH. Them MI is pretty flat.

Looks like 81 to 77 is the recomended route for shortest time but that will give you the smoky's to deal with and eastern PA isn't all that flat............

Hope this helps a little. Good luck.

[Movin' on]

[QUOTE Which route is recommended for newbies? This is our first trip, and I would prefer to avoid very mountainous areas as we are new to towing. [/QUOTE]



If you want to avoid the mountains, I would definitely avoid the I-77 and I-79 route through WV. It is all hills and curves (I live here). Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful drive, but probably not what you're looking for right now.


Just my 2 cents worth. Have a safe, enjoyable trip.

[hankaye]

MicheleF, Howdy;

No matter which direction you choose to go you will
encounter some ups & downs..... both physically and
metaphorically speaking.
I-81 is a uniquely laid out Interstate. It goes thru the
Appalachian Mnts. but stays mostly in the Valleys. Yes
there will some ups & downs but they are minimal and
not at all of white knuckle magnitude.
You can also take US 23 up through Ky. up to Columbus, Oh.
I-275 (I recommend going around the city by going to the East
and re join it (23), on the North side), follow 23 until it meets
US 20 just outside of Toledo, Oh. Turn Left go to I-75 Head North.
I have to tell you that US 23 will leave Columbus as a 4 lane divided
but you will have to exit the 4 lane to follow23 through a few towns,
one of which is Fostoria, Oh.Don't know the status of the glass factory,
Fostoria Glass is a famous name in that industry, or you can stay on
the 4 lane and it will take you to I-75. Going through Detroit is a personal
matter (it's not that bad ...really), Find I-94 North, proceed to Port Huron, Mi.
Cross border, 402 to 401, Bob's your Uncle ... You're home ...
Best route for scenery, easy pace, Happy time I-81, hands down, When you
get to Binghamton, N.Y. Jump onto I-86W.Then I-390 to the N.Y. State Thru-
way, shuffle-off to Buffalo, cross Border QEW to 402 ta-DA!!!!!

hankaye

[LittleJoe]

As far as traffic goes, your third choice is the winner IMO.