S.E. Ohio road advise needed

[Buckster]

I am riding to Lexington, Ohio for Mid-Ohio vintage days in July.
I was planning on coming up I-77 to get to I-70W.
l could take 60 as I enter Ohio at Marietta and pick up 70 in Zanesville and it appears to be a scenic route and would cut some miles off as I was headed to 13 towards Newark.
Question is, would I be saving anytime going this route or would it be about the same time OR would it be longer.
Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks.

[Biff's R]

Buckster,
You are talking about my backyard. There are a couple of options that you have depending on what you want to do.

1. You want to get there the fastest. Take I-77 N to US 36 west into Mt. Vernon. Then 229 to 314 and into Mid Ohio.

2. Cruise up the Muskingum River. Rt. 60 from Marietta to Zanesville, then 146 W to 16 W to Newark. From Newark take 13 to 657 to 314.

3. Fun time in the curves. Cross into Ohio on US 33, in Darwin take CR 33(old US 33) into Athens. Take US 50 E to OH 690. Stop at Holt BMW. Then 690N, to 550E, to 329N. Go north on OH 13 all the way up to Newark, or Mt Vernon.

4. Holy crap this is twisty. Cross into Ohio on US 50 near Parkersburg, WV. Go west on US 50 to OH 555. Go north to Zanesville. Eat at Tom's Ice Cream Bowl, and gather yourself. Then take OH 666 N to Dresden, OH and then take OH 60 N to US 36 west(Warsaw). You can add OH 715, and then go into Mt. Vernon on US 36.

I would go for Option 4, if possible. Options 1, 2, and 3 will all get you there within an hour of each other. Add a couple hours in you do #4, but you will not find many roads anywhere in the country better than 555.

[MikeCam]

... you will not find many roads anywhere in SE Ohio country better than 555.

Fixed quote.

[Biff's R]

Mike the original was right. Fresh pavement.

[garylspolar]

Option # 4!!!! Take pics, and give us a report later. Bring back some memories for me... it's been awhile since I hit 555.

Anyone here ever hit Rt. 800 in OH? Sorry, ignore my hijack. I live in the Cleveland area in NE OH, and it's quite flat. Any route with 3 digits in the southern half of Ohio is a blast for me.

[Biff's R]

Option # 4!!!! Take pics, and give us a report later. Bring back some memories for me... it's been awhile since I hit 555.

Anyone here ever hit Rt. 800 in OH?

Gary, you need to get back down there. I have also ridden 800 quite a few times, and may go out and ride part of it tomorrow.

Any route with 3 digits in the southern half of Ohio is a blast for me.

Very true.

[garylspolar]

I am riding this now:


I may be able to borrow a motorcycle, however. I really need a motorcycle fix right about now.

[Buckster]

Thanks, Jeff. I'm sort of on a tight schedule, so I probably won't hit 555 which sounds like I'm going to miss out on some great riding. I'm guessing it will be about 8 hours, so it will be a long day.
I will leave Thursday early and my Dad has a vendor spot and I will be camped out with him. If you go, you should see my R. I guess I'll be parked at his spot.

[Biff's R]

Buckster,
If you want to, you can take 60 to zanesville, then 146, to 586N to Mt. Vernon, and then up to the track. the 146/586 part is a decent ride, and may be the most direct route.

[Buckster]

Thanks again, Jeff. I am meeting with my dad this week and will make the final plans then. I appreciate all the help!