Seeking driving directions from NYC to Lexington, Virginia

[JimHow]

I need to take a road trip from NYC to Washington & Lee Law School in about three weeks.
I had assumed I was going to drive to DC and then on to Lexington, Virginia.
When I Mapquest the route, Yahoo takes me through Harrisburg, PA, what appears to be around DC to the north and west, mainly down I-81:

Distance: 408.80657.9 mi Time: 6 hrs 41 mins

Starting in NEW YORK, NY on CHAMBERS ST go toward CHURCH ST - go 0.10.2 mikm

Bear Right on HUDSON ST - go 0.60.9 mikm

Bear Right on HOLLAND TUNL - go 1.93.1 mikm

Continue on 14TH ST - go 0.30.5 mikm

Bear Left on RT-139 W toward PULASKI SKYWAY (US-1-9)/I-280/KENNEDY BLVD/JERSEY CITY - go 1.21.9 mikm

Continue on US-1-9 S - go 5.79.2 mikm

Take the GARDEN STATE PARKWAY/PORT NEWARK/NEWARK INT'L AIRPORT NORTH AREA/NEWARK INT'L AIRPORT AIR CARGO exit onto I-78 W toward AIR CARGO/MAIN TERMINALS/I-78 WEST LOCAL/AIRPORT (Portions toll) - go 135.3217.7 mikm

Take Left exit #1B/HARRISBURG onto I-81 S - go 230.7371.2 mikm

Continue on I-64 W - go 30.649.3 mikm

Take exit #55/LEXINGTON (VA-39)/GOSHEN - go 0.30.4 mikm

Turn Left on N LEE HWY(US-11 S) - go 1.11.8 mikm

Bear Right on N MAIN ST toward LEXINGTON (US-11 BUSINESS) - go 0.71.2 mikm

Continue on N JEFFERSON ST(US-11-BR S) - go 0.20.3 mikm

Make a U-Turn at W WASHINGTON ST onto N MAIN ST(US-11-BR N) - go < 0.10.2 mikm

Arrive at the center of LEXINGTON, VA

According to Mapquest, at least, this is about an hour shorter drive than going down I-95 to DC. I don't think I've ever taken this route, is anyone familiar with I-81, and do you recommend taking the above route instead of going down I-95 and then turning southwest at DC?

Thanks,
Jim

[Daytonnc]

When driving to NYC, Rob and I always take I-81. The only time we take I-95 is if we are going to DC. Hope that helps!

Susan

[JimHow]

Thanks Susan that's helpful, especially since I-81 seems to lead right to Lexington VA. So I-81 is a major highway then?

[RDD]

Here are roug directions.
Take GW Bridge to
I-80
I-80 to
South on I-287
West on I-78
Then South I-81 at Harrisburg.
The milage will be less and the scenary is great.
Get to see the Shenodoah Valey and can imagine Lee's march up to Gettysburg.

[Houndsong]

The indicated route is shorter, will have less traffic, and no tolls (at least outside the metro area). I've run 81/78 and 81/84 many times. The scenery is better. You will arrive far less stressed.

[JimHow]

Excellent, will do, thanks!

[Houndsong]

Here's where to stop:

http://www.dutchkitchen.com/

Frackville, PA. Easy on-off.

[JimHow]

I'll check it out Hound.
Looks like a very scenic drive, I'm looking forward to it.

[DavidG]

Another vote for avoiding I-95 and the DC beltway traffic.