Appalachian Mountains, Questions And Concerns.

Yeah but those 9 and 12 grades were only for short periods, lol, like less than a mile, and why dont you get off the interstate in those areas you mentioned?

I run east coast so unfortunately I basically get stuck in the Appalachians every week. I have several rules I follow. Don't get off the interstate if you don't have to in WV, TN east of Nashville, PA, WV, Northwest NC, and WV lol. Also don't run out of hours there in WV if you can help it. The thing with east cost mountains is that they sneak up on you. I don't run west coast so I can't speak on those grades. But over here, the signs are posted literally right before you decend a long grade. Some of those hills on i77 are basically mini grades. My 1st time there I smoked my brakes and had to get to a rest area to cool off. You've done 9 and 12 apparently, so if you can handle those you'll be fine. Just remember, go slow and take your time.

There is a double digit grade on PA 901 near I-81. When loaded I've had to drop it onto 5th gear when I had ten speed. Also several on PA 54, same area. Rt 10 through Southern Chester and Lancaster counties is a bear too.

PA secondaries can be very steep, but for short periods of time.

I am down there multiple times a year on trips, and if you're going on I-81 you'll be fine for the most part. Some steep grades, but they designed that highway right with a minimum amount of them. Just take your time, and like others have said the highway is thin and 2 lanes, so try to focus on staying in your lane. Unless someone is really holding you up, I'd say just stick behind them at least until you get a break in 4-wheelers...

I-81 through northern PA is also a handful. Combination of steep grades and curves can be harrowing for an inexperienced driver under a load.

Fog on 81 is notorious. Many times fog north of exit 102 up to Hazleton is like peasoup. I recall several times spotting an empty at the WM DC when I could barely see the rearmost trailer marker light. This area is well lit at night...quite an experience.

I-81 through northern PA is also a handful. Combination of steep grades and curves can be harrowing for an inexperienced driver under a load.

Fog on 81 is notorious. Many times fog north of exit 102 up to Hazleton is like peasoup. I recall several times spotting an empty at the WM DC when I could barely see the rearmost trailer marker light. This area is well lit at night...quite an experience.

I'm actually going out there tomorrow... Going on a family week-long trip to Erie for April Break :) We're taking 95 to 287 to 78 to 81, then 81 all the way across. TBH I would rather just go on a week long trip to the other side of the country, so we're in the car the whole way. Gettin' there is the best part, in my case, which is part of the reason I think trucking is the life for me :)

An example of what G-Town said...

...at midnight, far worse. Twice shut it down at the Pilot off exit 100.

Gotta love PA truck routes lol. Set your autoshift to hold a lower gear and use your Jake's. You can go down too slow as many times as you want, but you can only go down too fast once. Relax, you got this. And like they said, ignore the dummies flying down. Those will be the ones you see hanging off a cliff in the trees or laid over in a curve at the bottom.

Susan wrote:

Gotta love PA truck routes lol. Set your autoshift to hold a lower gear and use your Jake's. You can go down too slow as many times as you want, but you can only go down too fast once. Relax, you got this. And like they said, ignore the dummies flying down. Those will be the ones you see hanging off a cliff in the trees or laid over in a curve at the bottom.

100% agree Sue.

We're did you hit a 12 percent grade at? The most I have seen is 9 on a paved road.

PA-31 has a 14% grade. I travel PA-31 as a hazmat route off the Penna Turnpike. Lots of nasty grades on PA roads. I-68 has a doozy eastbound going into Cumberland, MD. I saw a driver underestimate that hill and smoke his brakes shortly into the descent.

But I'd rather take western PA and southern PA / northern MD over I-81. At least the roads are better. 81 north of Tremont exit is horrible. Can't wait for construction to continue past Hazleton through Scranton.