Actually the route I was looking at from Akron was taking I-77 south to Virginia where it would hook up with I-81.  That looked like a more direct route to me than swinging west to go east.

    True guys the I-75 corridoor is usually a mess especially around Dayton-Cincy area. Being an Ohio resident, I drive these roads all the time and I still prefer the "back roads". Not usually the fastest or most direct route, but certianlly the most scenic. We are from the Toledo area and most likely be traveling with the great pumpkin, who are good friends of ours from Mi, not too far from us. We hang around together all the time, especially during the "season". Last summer, the wife and I took Rt250 out of Norwalk to Wheeling and went to Gatlinburg and PF in a round about way. Great trip and very senic. Nice leisurely trip and not too fast paced,what ever floats your boat. Could meet up anywhere. Doesn't really matter, but would like to avoid 75 if possible. Just my 2 cents.

Jim 78SEVette

Actually the route I was looking at from Akron was taking I-77 south to Virginia where it would hook up with I-81.  That looked like a more direct route to me than swinging west to go east.

Jim - Drove I-75 from Cincy to Dayton after the 2004 C3X in October and don't recall any traffic delays.  But then maybe the construction season was over by then that year.  Connie and Larry (with their Tweety-bird yellow coupe) are in the Toledo area also.  Do you know them?

Dave - If my plans come together and I end up taking that route hooking up along the way in W. Virginia would be a definite.

    Guys - Toledo is a great place to meet up. We have I-75, I-23 and I-80/90. Can take you in any direction you desire. Norsky, if you go to Akron would you be traveling 80/90  east? If so, Toledo is not a bad place to hook up. Its a little out of the way for some of us going to PF, but a nice drive anyway. Then south out of Akon to Parkersburg and points south. If not, another good place is where I-70 east and I-75 meet up just north of Dayton. Wife and I took the Parkersburg Rt last Sept. Drove along the Ohio River west to Huntington. Not fast but BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL. Then we headed south to Gatlinburg. Got a little Smoky Mountains thrown in, What a rush. Might be something to consider.Just a thought since I paid my 2 cents. 

Jim 78 SEVette

I am in for this caravan, joining you in Cincinnati.  I'd be OK with going I-75 or scenic routes, but here is my opinion, having taken the trip from Cincinnati to Knoxville probably 20 times:

I-75 isn't that bad.  Will you likely run into a section of several miles of construction?  Yes.  But the delay is typical small, when compared to the overall 4 - 5 hour drive.

Taking the scenic route may be an all day affair.  You'd be taking 2-lane highways through the mountains (read lots of slowing down for  curves) plus haveing to slow down or stop in every small town along the way.  Through eastern KY, I think this is more of a problem than most areas of the country.  Just one man's opinion...