routing, weather question....

I ran PA backroads today from Carlisle to Elkton MD. 3 hours to go 107 miles. Sigh.

 

I 80 would be my preference just because exits are fewer between.

Avoid I 94 if you can just because of all the construction.


The northeast is excellent running in winter. You are in snow plow country. Much safer than little rock Arkansas.

Don't worry so much you'll be fine to run those hills. Just be careful going up towards the top of a hill or in a shaded spot.

You'll see the cars that weren't xD

You can feel it in your ### really if you do it enough and can just tell...

 

Yep, just like 'olhand said. 80 is not bad running at all. Just do what you do. FatDaddy did you run over thru Lancaster and such to get to Elkton?

 

Yep. Sure did.

 

When I go up in that country that's how I go to Philly. Not really too bad through there, and get to see some cool stuff.

 

Just a bit slow. Especially when I broke off 30 and headed south. But yeah you are in the heart of Amish country out there.

 

Yeah we drop a good bit in that SE corner of Pa, so I'm learning some ways to get around. We got one in the west side that finals in Clearfield, and the way I go cuts rught thru Punxatawney. If I see the lil weather rodent I'm liable to throw rocks at him!

 

I live in the Philadelphia area. 30 years driving experience. Have been through the woods countless times in PA. I don't fear the snow, but respect the weather at all times. If you find yourself in a bad situation, would you want the next exit you could find safe haven to be 10 miles away, or 50 miles away, like on the turnpike? If you get stuck spending a day on the side of the road, better to do it at a TA, Petro, or Flying J, than to sit in one of those God Forsaken rest areas on the pike.

80 is well maintained these days, on all but very rare occasions, but you always need to be focused on the hills.

NEVER, EVER, use your Jake (Engine Break) when going down hill in the snow. Your drive tires could skid, and add a lot of unwanted excitement to your day. Just start out easy at the top, and stay within your abilities. I would rather go down a hill too slow, hundreds of times, than go down too fast even once. ***DO NOT*** use the show "Ice Road Truckers" as a training aid video. Half the stuff you see them idiots doing is best left to them. Remember, if they screw up, they have plenty of help with them.

The way this season has been in PA, the bitter cold is more to worry about than the snow. Make sure you have 2 gallons of water, and food for a day or two, just in case.

 

Just a peek at what I do in the snow. I routinely hit speeds of 60 to 65 miles per hour on snow packed roads, as long as I am the only one within sight. I don't recommend trying to copy what I do here, but don't be scared of the snow. Just know the limits of your ability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxr1P2nDVVA