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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: The age-old travel question
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BobcatJH
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Posted: 1/19/2012 12:01 PM
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Ladies and gentlemen: I'm driving down to visit my folks and take in the Miami game and I'm headed down from Cleveland after work tonight (Thursday). Normally, I do the 77S route, and I've done the 71 via Columbus route a couple of times, too. Given the highway work (or nonwork) and that it'll be at night, which way should I go? They're both dreadfully boring, but if one is shorter, let me know. 
shabamon
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Posted: 1/19/2012 12:04 PM
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Going on 71 to Columbus feels shorter, and you avoid West Virginia.
Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 1/19/2012 12:05 PM
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I might go thru Columbus because you won't get to Columbus until after rush hour, but it sounds like you may hit Akron & Canton during the evening rush still.  If you wern't hitting the road until 6 or so, I might leave toward 77.  It seems most of the NE Ohio peeps I know swear by the 77 route over 71.
BobcatJH
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Posted: 1/19/2012 12:09 PM
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Leaving right at five, I'd definitely hit Akron/Canton during their rush. I'm leaning toward 71, I just didn't know if there's any crazy construction once you hit 33. Hopefully not.
Bobcat Binge
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Posted: 1/19/2012 12:12 PM
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I frequently travel from Athens to Cleveland and have found that the travel time is almost the same for either route (depending on time of day and which side of Cleveland I'm headed to). I prefer travel on 77, much less heavy truck traffic and just a modest sprinkling of state troopers :)
bobcat695
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Posted: 1/19/2012 12:12 PM
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77 to Parkersburg, then 50 to Athens.  All four lane highway, no construction, no stoplights, no Nelsonville, absolutely no traffic between Canton and Athens.

Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 1/19/2012 12:13 PM
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Minor construction between Nelsonville and Logan, won't really slow you down.  That's about it. 

This doesn't really have an effect on your decision since it will be later, but while we are on the topc...Last night and the Buffalo game I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of traffic heading out of Columbus in the Canal Winchester area around 5:30.  Last year it seemed to be terrible and I missed a few of the 7:00 tips.  Not sure what changed to make it better, but it sure seems to have improved.

Now we just need that Nelsonville bypass.
JSF
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Posted: 1/19/2012 12:16 PM
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All things equal, 77 is faster and it doesn't have depressing flat nothing like 71.
bornacatfan
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Posted: 1/19/2012 12:39 PM
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If the snow we are getting now is coming through to get  to you anytime around when you are going I would take the road less travelled . Hard hitting slick stuff with multiple interstates closed.

After the trip down 33 a couple weeks back I would do anything to avoid 33 when that is happening....of course you wont have all the bimbos returning to school with cars full of junk and sitting inthe left lane to obstruct....when did drivers ed teachers start teaching the left lane is for driving?

Yes I remember the alternative was what made the refs late.....probably a left lane impeder getting a nudge...
Last Edited: 1/19/2012 12:41:41 PM by bornacatfan
roar-room
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Posted: 1/19/2012 1:01 PM
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I like driving 71 because I enjoy driving through Columbus compared to Akron/Canton - but I always take 77 because it is faster.
Recovering Journalist
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Posted: 1/19/2012 1:19 PM
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I'll be coming down tomorrow morning from Cleveland. Ever since 50 went to four lanes, I-77 has been my preferred route. I think it's a bit faster, but I'd echo some of the other points too: More scenic, fewer troopers, less traffic. In my experience, "rush hour" in Akron/Canton is akin to "normal traffic" anywhere near Columbus.
PutnamField
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Posted: 1/19/2012 1:38 PM
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shabamon wrote:expand_more
Going on 71 to Columbus feels shorter, and you avoid West Virginia.


?
bobcat695
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Posted: 1/19/2012 1:52 PM
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PutnamField wrote:expand_more
Going on 71 to Columbus feels shorter, and you avoid West Virginia.


?


I let that one go at first, but what is the reason for wanting to avoid WV?  Is it the uncongested, brand new highway or the higher speed limits that get you to Athens quicker that are the problem?  I know it represents almost 20 minutes of the trip, so it must be a big deal.
The Optimist
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Posted: 1/19/2012 2:23 PM
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I usually go 71 because it is slightly easier to get to from my house in eastern Medina.  My problem is always more with Nelsonville than it is with Columbus rush hour.  Last time I made the drive the Nelsonville route was slow but not a dead stop or anything.  On a Thursday night you should be fine.

I also think avoiding West Virginia makes it feel shorter.. 

And to say how meaningless this is... My Dad takes the 77 route and gets here in almost the same time.
Last Edited: 1/19/2012 2:25:21 PM by The Optimist
PutnamField
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Posted: 1/19/2012 2:40 PM
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The Optimist wrote:expand_more
I also think avoiding West Virginia makes it feel shorter.. 


West Virginia gave us Jerry West, Tyquane Goard and my grandma.

You know, if you flatlanders don't like it down here ...

Preemptive note: If you don't want these thread detours, don't put pointless geographic slams in your posts.

Note to my note: Any slam pertaining to Miami is fair game, even if it insults someone's grandma.
JSF
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Posted: 1/19/2012 3:07 PM
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PutnamField wrote:expand_more
Note to my note: Any slam pertaining to Miami is fair game, even if it insults someone's grandma.


71 takes you closer to Miami, leaving you in danger of suck.
BobcatJH
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Posted: 1/19/2012 3:30 PM
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True. 71 does have Grandpa's Cheesebarn. Plus, looks like the weather's going to be more clear of 71 by the time I go than 77.
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 1/19/2012 6:27 PM
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I pictured Grandpa laid up in a back room drunk while the rest of the family sells the cheese.

Beside Grandpa's Cheesbarn is a Marathon with portajohns.  To be fair, there is a very nice travel plaza about a mile from Grandpa's. 
RSBobcat
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Posted: 1/19/2012 6:49 PM
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Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more
I pictured Grandpa laid up in a back room drunk while the rest of the family sells the cheese.

Beside Grandpa's Cheesbarn is a Marathon with portajohns. To be fair, there is a very nice travel place about a mile from Grandpa's.
Yes - the Goasis/exit 185 or so - nice break/gas/snack stop if needed.
GoCats105
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Posted: 1/19/2012 7:04 PM
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Take 77.

I've been driving down 71 from US30 through Columbus back to Cincinnati and the traffic is getting worse and worse. There is a ton of construction right around the 71/70 interchange, so unless you take the loop you're gonna get stuck in some nasty rush hour traffic.

The Akron/Canton traffic isnt nearly as bad and is all you have to get through, then its smooth sailing all the way to Marietta, and then on into Parkersburg.
Ohio69
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Posted: 1/20/2012 7:05 PM
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As a fairly frequent Athens to Akron driver, I gotta agree with bobcat695.  Parkersburgh all the way up to New Philadelphia is a very easy drive.
bornacatfan
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Posted: 1/20/2012 10:53 PM
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Just got outta the truck in Lancaster.

Drive over was good and 70 /33 was clear but I could not hold my footing to get my bag outta the backseat of the truck. Everytime I took my hand off the b pillar I started sliding down the hill. finally after I pulled my self back up the hill inch by inch I grabbed my bag with one hand and held on withthe other. Turned the bag and slid/skated  down the hill into the garage.  That is iccccccyyyyyy. Hope it clears by morning. and the roads get a ealthy dose of salt.
Joe McKinley
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Posted: 1/20/2012 11:10 PM
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I drove home from a HS basketball game in Lewis Center. Not bad at all on the main roads and just a little slippery on neighborhood streets. The road crews  have plenty of notice to get things under control. I think everything will be OK tomorrow.

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