thisheregirafFe Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 hi guys - as the title states i'm taking a road trip from connecticut to pigeon forge, tn and will be driving basically the length of virginia via i-81. i've always heard nightmare stories about podunk police and their love of sticking out of state plates with ridiculous fines. i already know anything over 80 gets you reckless driving and a hefty fine, but is there anything else i should know about VA? i've heard some horror stories and would like to hear from the folks with experience how to deal with driving that stretch... i can put anything i want down here?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudeondacouch Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 Don't speed. Easy peasy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted June 17, 2013 Moderators Share Posted June 17, 2013 you've heard right. nothing to tell you other than stay within 10 mph over the speed limit and you'll probably be fine. Watch out for stretches that slow down when you pass through city areas. "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisheregirafFe Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 yeah wasn't planning on speeding... probably even keep it to just 4 or 5 over on cruise control. i was thinking about taking the blue ridge parkway for a good spell when i head back home, but is that usually packed with police too? if i'm not mistaken it's 35 tops there, but i there is now way i could resist diving into some of those sweet, sweet twisties... i can put anything i want down here?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted June 17, 2013 Moderators Share Posted June 17, 2013 yeah wasn't planning on speeding... probably even keep it to just 4 or 5 over on cruise control. i was thinking about taking the blue ridge parkway for a good spell when i head back home, but is that usually packed with police too? if i'm not mistaken it's 35 tops there, but i there is now way i could resist diving into some of those sweet, sweet twisties... If you're not planning to speed then don't worry about it--you're not gonna get pulled over just for having out of state plates, lol. Blue ridge parkway is nice, but I think you're right about the limit being 35mph. Cops there are also Federal police, not state / local, so look up the regulations for federal crimes and whatnot if you care. "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudeondacouch Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 be careful with the cruise control. it drops from 70 to 55/60 in several spots, and one of them (around JMU, i think) is in combination with an expansion from 4 lanes to 6, which is counter-intuitive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebo03 Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 you've heard right. nothing to tell you other than stay within 10 mph over the speed limit and you'll probably be fine. Watch out for stretches that slow down when you pass through city areas. ^^ Solid advice. Also watch out for reduced speed limits in construction zones. Anything 20 mph over speed limit in VA can be considered reckless driving which requires you to appear in court...no prepayment. Try to avoid a return trip in a few weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudeondacouch Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 wreckless fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashwinearl Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 There is a section on I-81 South just after Blacksburg, VA and before Wytheville that always seem to have a lot of state troopers or county sheriffs. They park on on ramps which are very well hidden as you drive south. Definitely take it easy in that section. I've seen over 5-6 different police in that section on any given day. After Wytheville it usually didn't seem as bad. Similarly, on I-81 South just south of Roanoke, there are several dedicated congested areas with lower speed limits. These are patrolled heavily as is around Harrisonburg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acumenhokie Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 I miss the old days when the cops fought crime instead of sitting at an off ramp looking for people to harass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudeondacouch Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 I miss the old days when the cops fought crime instead of sitting at an off ramp looking for people to harass. tell me moar about the "old days" where you from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acumenhokie Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 tell me moar about the "old days" where you from? I went to school at VT and lived in NOVA for many years. I've driven 81 in VA more than I care to admit. The old days looked a lot like this... http://cartocars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/1969-dodge-charger-general-lee-from-the-dukes-of-hazzard-movie.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted June 18, 2013 Moderators Share Posted June 18, 2013 OP, one more thing. If you happen to drive through Madison, VA you need to do two things: 1. Go the speed limit. That doesn't mean go 3mph over, that means go the speed limit or less. The sheriff / lackies there blow goat nuts. 2. Eat at 'Pig and Steak'. Yum "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisheregirafFe Posted June 19, 2013 Author Share Posted June 19, 2013 1 - roger that. 2 - pig and steak? god i do like the sound of that... i can put anything i want down here?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn06SpecB Posted June 21, 2013 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I literally just made this trip and the advice in this thread is great. The speed limit changes frequently from 60 to 65 & 70 for what ever reason. Also, if you do hit the small portion of i81 in west virginia be very careful in the construction zone there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisheregirafFe Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share Posted July 1, 2013 phew. made it there and back. 13 hrs. was grueling. gotta say though, virginia doesn't seem to have any concept of a 'passing lane', though not quite as bad as in pennsylvania. up there i think a total of 3 people moved over for me and i was in the state for about 5 hours... i can put anything i want down here?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acumenhokie Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 i think a total of 3 people moved over for me and i was in the state for about 5 hours... Sounds about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 drove through Virginia on the way to NC on Saturday. Traffic was running 10-20 over for most of the way. Lane discipline was awful. Based on this, the drive north on 81 should be exact opposite? Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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