I also HIGHLY recommend taking 29. MUCH nicer drive, very little traffic and you can stop in Charlottesville, Lynchburg or many places in between. Sometimes you need to take 29, though (not the bypass) if you want to hit the amenities (you'll see signs).

There is stretch of not much after Charlottesville for about 20 minutes or so, so plan to stop before of after that. There is a wayside station in Nelson County where we stop often and let the dog run around. We usually get gas around Lynchburg for good prices and there are tons of amenities right on 29 in Lynchburg, but it is nice to go into the downtown.

I agree with the NC native person. Even though the ride is slower on 29, it's MUCH better than the mess that is called 95. (I live in NC now but am from Virginia.) And the scenery is beautiful!

If you take 81, there is a Chick fil a about 10 miles into NC that has a nice indoor play area. That's where we always stop. it's about 1/2 way.

Anonymous wrote:If you're making this drive on a weekend -- especially this weekend -- I would consider going down 29 instead. You hit Charlottesville and then Lynchburg is pretty close to halfway.

Lynchburg has a cute little downtown that even has a children's museum. There's a kind of upscale pub/pizza place called Waterstone that's good, or an Indian/Lebanese (yes, both) restaurant called Hot &Cold, or a great little coffee shop/cafe called The White Hart.

I am from NC and make the drive regularly. I much prefer going down 29 even though it's slightly slower because you don't end up with the terrible traffic jams getting out of DC, through Richmond, or in the Triangle.

This is an awesome idea!!! Thank you!

If you're traveling down 81, the mid point is Roanoke.

If you're traveling down 29 you can stop in Tight Squeeze (yes, that's the name!) or Lynchburg.

If you're making this drive on a weekend -- especially this weekend -- I would consider going down 29 instead. You hit Charlottesville and then Lynchburg is pretty close to halfway.

Lynchburg has a cute little downtown that even has a children's museum. There's a kind of upscale pub/pizza place called Waterstone that's good, or an Indian/Lebanese (yes, both) restaurant called Hot &Cold, or a great little coffee shop/cafe called The White Hart.

I am from NC and make the drive regularly. I much prefer going down 29 even though it's slightly slower because you don't end up with the terrible traffic jams getting out of DC, through Richmond, or in the Triangle.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the middle part of that drive goes through a whole bunch of nothing. The only place between Petersburg and Raleigh/Durham is South Hill. There's a nice enough travel plaza and your standard fast food places but nowhere to run around "for a couple hours". If I'm remembering correctly though I think one of the rest stops near the state line does have a small playground.

Thanks. That's what I was afraid of. A rest stop with a small playground would work though. Kids are small enough that they don't need much to excite them. Can you see the playground from the highway?

Honestly, the middle part of that drive goes through a whole bunch of nothing. The only place between Petersburg and Raleigh/Durham is South Hill. There's a nice enough travel plaza and your standard fast food places but nowhere to run around "for a couple hours". If I'm remembering correctly though I think one of the rest stops near the state line does have a small playground.

Can anyone recommend a place to get out and stretch our legs...let the kids run around for a couple hours, get some food, use the bathroom, etc. that's half way between the DC area and Charlotte, NC? Any nice town with a park/playground or something similar?