[MR] I-68 versus Breezewood

[Siegfried Sebastian Faust]

In part to give my experience, and in part to answer the question that a 
gentle had about 'options other than Breezewood' ... I offer the following ...

The 'typical' route to Pennsic is as thus:
* Make your way northward to I-70
* Head west on I-70, and stay on I-70 when it splits with I-68 and starts 
heading north
* I-70, at Breezewood, connects with I-76, the PA Turnpike
* Pay your tolls, and take I-76 all the way to I-79 (Cranberry Exit)
* I-79 North gets you to Pennsic (always, IMO, the longest bit of the drive)

This route, from Frederick, MD (for lack of a better 'average starting 
point'), is approximately 4.5 hours, at speed, no stops, blame yahoo maps 
for wrong timing.

The standard 'alternate' route, is as follows:
* Make your way to I-70 still.
* Head west on I-70, and take I-68 west when it splits
* Take I-68 west until Morgantown, WV (Home of WVU)
* Here get on I-79 North ... which, again, will take you to Pennsic

This route, from Frederick, MD, is approximately 5 hours.

Now, my own thoughts, pro/con as you will:

A) In my experience, the I-68 route DOES only take an extra half-hour, and 
is much more scenic of a drive, instead of long, LONG stretches of turnpike 
that you can't get off of.
B) I-68 is NOT a turnpike.  No Tolls.  I-76 will cost you between $8-$12 
depending on your vehicle/trailer, each way.
C) I-68 has a number of nice exits to get off from for food/gas/etc.  I-76, 
you can only stop at the waystations, and pay for overpriced gas and 
overpriced food from select merchants.
D) Drawback ... I-68 DOES mean driving over Sideling Hill ... If you are 
hauling a heavy trailer with a smaller truck (eh hem), it can slow you down 
a little bit.
E) Bonus ... Speed limit in West Virginia is 70 (ie, makes up for Sideling 
Hill)

Personally, I will be going I-68, in the past I have always 'waivered' as 
to how much that 30 minutes was worth to me, and would alternately take both

Now, with increased turnpike fees ... It's finalized in my mind.  I'll be 
taking I-68 from here on out.

Siegfried

___________________________________________________________________________
THL Siegfried Sebastian Faust                         http://crossbows.biz/
Barony of Highland Foorde           Baronial Web Minister & Archery Marshal
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