The Ultimate Road Trip: Driving from Athens, WV to La Plata, MD

If you're planning a road trip from Athens, West Virginia to La Plata, Maryland, you're probably wondering how long it will take to drive there. The answer depends largely on which route you take and what type of traffic you'll face. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the different routes you can take, the fastest and slowest routes, and how long it will take you to reach your destination.

The Fastest Route

The fastest route from Athens to La Plata is to take I-77 and I-70 East all the way to your destination. This route covers a distance of approximately 398 miles, and under normal traffic conditions, should take you about 6 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

However, it's important to note that traffic patterns can significantly impact your drive time. During peak traffic hours, such as rush hour, it's possible that your drive time could increase by an hour or more. On the other hand, if you're driving during off-peak hours, you could make the trip in as little as 5 hours and 45 minutes.

The Slowest Route

If you prefer to take the back roads and avoid the highways, you can take US-50 East from Athens to La Plata. While this route is slower than taking the highways, it offers beautiful landscape views and unique small-town experiences along the way.

The distance covered by this route is approximately 473 miles, and the driving time is roughly 9 hours. It's important to note that there may be some areas along the way where the speed limit is lower than on the highways, which will obviously impact your overall drive time.

In-between Routes

If you're not in a rush to get to your destination but still want to take a route with good traffic conditions, you could take I-64 East to I-95 South, then exit onto MD-5. This route covers approximately 422 miles and typically takes around 7 hours and 20 minutes to drive.

In terms of traffic impact on this route, you'll likely face significant congestion around big cities like Richmond and Washington DC. It's best to avoid driving during peak traffic times here, as it could easily add on an hour or more to your overall drive time.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the route you choose will depend on your personal preferences and priorities. If you're in a hurry, taking the highways will be your best bet, but be prepared for the possibility of heavy traffic. If you're more interested in taking your time and seeing the sights, the slower routes have plenty of charm and interesting things to see and experience.

No matter which route you take, make sure you pack plenty of snacks and drinks, have good music or audio-books to keep you entertained, and take frequent breaks to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Happy driving!