79 or 81

[Cablebandit]

Hi, I'm planning a "down and back" saddlesore 1000 from central PA (State College area) and was wondering if there is any preference between shooting down 81 through VA or staying a little further west into WVA and taking 79 instead?

Any tips or suggestions would be great.

Thanks

[desert_rider]

I'm actually visiting Hazleton right now (where 80 and 81 meet) and there is some construction on 81N on bridges around Scranton.  81S has some light construction around Harrisburg.  Other than that it is clear.
Check out: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/

BTW-I rented a V-Rod and went riding around central PA this weekend and had a blast with incredible riding weather.  There are some nice back roads there!

[Randy FJR]

Where were you thinking of picking up 79?  N or S of Pittsburgh?  I hate I-80 - just my opinion.
If you go 81, then you'll be coming down 322 from State College and hitting some construction traffic in the narrows near Lewistown, but, if you time it right, no big deal.  Be careful in the 55mph zones around Harrisburg and Carlisle on I81.
That being said, here's a possible route if you want to slab it the whole way:
St College through Altoona on 99 and on to Cumberland, MD
I68 to Morgantown WV
I79 to Charleston WV
I64 to Lexington KY
I75 to Cincinnati OH
I71 to Columbus OH
I70 to PA TPK to Bedford PA
99 to State College

About 1050 miles if my math is right.
 

[Randy FJR]

I'm actually visiting Hazleton right now (where 80 and 81 meet) and there is some construction on 81N on bridges around Scranton.  81S has some light construction around Harrisburg.  Other than that it is clear.
Check out: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/

BTW-I rented a V-Rod and went riding around central PA this weekend and had a blast with incredible riding weather.  There are some nice back roads there!

A few miles south, you can take 339 from Mahanoy City to Bloomsburg - nice little run.