Traveling from Lebanon MO to Washington DC?

Question

I'd like some opinions please. I'm driving from Lebanon MO to Washington DC next week and would like to know which route is the fastest and more economical - the southern route through Kentucky and West Virginia or through Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. I know that there are toll roads in West Virginia, but I'm wondering if the gas prices are low enough in the south to compensate for them. And would anyone know how much the toll roads are in West Virginia?

Thanks for the help and advice.

Answer 1

I have driven from Kansas City, and points further west, to DC many times. I always take I-64 East all the way to Charleston, W.Va, then take I-79 North to Morgantown, W. Va, then take I-68 East to I-70 East and on to I-270 South to DC.

That route I found had less traffic, particularly trucks than on I-70 all of the way. It is also a more scenic route. Gas prices was not an issue on those trips so cannot speculate on what they may be now. I do know that you will miss all of the tolls if you take this route. The toll road in W. Va is I-77 the W.Va Turnpike. I-79 is not toll (unless they changed it in the past couple years) and neither is I-68. The other reason I always took this route was the AAA always said there were speed traps on I-70 near Columbus Ohio.

Answer 2

Do not take the train. It's a ripoff. A one way ticket on Amtrak from NY to DC is $72. However, on Megabus it's $8-$25. Amtrak only saves an hour compared to the bus. Reserve your Megabus trip a month in advance. Purchase the ticket online. Print out the ticket. On the day of the trip show it to the driver.