The short version is later this summer I need to head to Edinburgh Indiana from Pittsburgh PA. Normally I would blow across Ohio on 70 or 30 barely stopping for gas but I have the vacation time, a couple motorcycles, and a desire to make an adventure out of it. One way across is going to be Rte 6 basically but I’m thinking of doing the other direction on Rte 22. Cut off before Cincy and slip the border around Oxford and Rte 73 ---- but 22 other than that.
Whats 22 like? Any interesting sites? Cool places to eat? Motels like Super 8’s or Comfort Inns? (I’m too old for places usually used to rent friends) I’m looking to kill maybe 2 days so lights, 35 speed zones, and distractions are a plus this one time.
So give me the straight dope and let me know about any stretches you like or hate.
Go down to Wheeling, then take the back country highways from there down to Marietta, Ohio. From there, follow any suitable route to Edinburg, such as the one recommended by Google Maps. The route from Wheeling to Marietta is a delight to drive. Ohio routes 78 and 26 would be nice. Or, the Ohio River highway, route 7, or follow the river all the way on the West Virginia side. The scenic drive along the Ohio River is a well-kept secret.
I thought about 50 but my mind is still leaning towards 22. I’ve taken it across PA several times and I’m just curious about it. Some stretches look real interesting and lonely.
I have driven on the part of 22 between Zanesville and Wilmington many times. That whole stretch is two-lane through rolling farm land, punctuated every 15 miles or so with a small city (Lancaster, Circleville, Washington Courthouse, etc.). The cities are typical small-town America; nothing neccesarily worth going out of your way to see, but charming nonetheless.
I’d take 50 West out of Marietta, stop in Athens and enjoy the town, and then take SR56 west out of Athens through the Hocking Hills. Once you leave Hocking Hills, you’re on your own.
I grew up in Wheeling WV and I’ve been on 22 many times, though not in the last 20 years or so.
There used to be a coke plant just south of Weirton WV. We used to call it the fart plant (it’s high sulfur coal, so coking it smells like farts). I think ISG ended up buying the plant and I’m not sure if it is still operational. If it is, I wouldn’t plan on eating anywhere near the Weirton/Stuebenville area.
Other than that, once you get out of the Pittsburgh area, 22 is just a long country road dotted by occasional small towns all the way until you hit Cambridge.
Along your route, there are hotels in Cambridge, Zanesville, and Lancaster.
I don’t think I’ve ever driven west on 22 past Lancaster.
If you end up going south to Wheeling, Oglebay Park is worth a visit.
If you do go up or down the Ohio River, the view from the WV side is better (IMHO) but it’s a 2 lane road that has a lot of coal trucks on it. The Ohio side is a 4 lane highway which moves better but doesn’t have as good of a view.
22 will take you straight to Cincinnati. There are plenty of hotels and lots of stuff to do there, though usually when I go there it is to visit relatives or do work in a brewery in Trenton.
Once you get west of Columbus or so, Ohio gets very flat and featureless. I have a hard time staying awake driving through it.
I used to live in a village on 22, smack between Zanesville and Lancaster. My village has a statue of Phil Sheridan where 22 meets 13, and that’s about the only excitement there, though if Anthony’s Pizza is open they do a mean cheesy fettucine al forno, and the Clay Haus has Sunday brunch with a very Amish flavor.
I grew up outside an even tinier village, also on 22.
When my now-husband came to visit, he remarked how much he would have liked to be on a motorcycle in the area.
22 meets up with 40 in New Concord, which is the birthplace of John Glenn. Honestly, no idea if there is anything to see there.
The Zane Grey Museum is close to there, too, if you have ever read him.
In Lancaster, there is the Sherman House, which was the birthplace of William Tecumseh Sherman. (Somerset was the home of Phil Sheridan, but there really isn’t anything to see but the statue.)
Past Lancaster, I think the scenery is less interesting. You’ll pass a lot of farmland and housing developments. My first husband was from Louisville, Kentucky so we would sometimes use 22 to get down to 71 via Washington Courthouse. I think I only went the rest of the way into Cincy once on 22 and regretted it because of how slow it got.
I don’t know what it is about the area along the Ohio Valley, but your chances of an excellent pizza are very high, even if you choose your place at random, or just the only one in town. Two of the best I’ve ever had were in St. Marys and Portsmouth.
I’ve read most of the Sackett series (Ooooopsm – wrong author) and been to the Tom Mix Museum so that sounds interesting.
Ohio does seem to lean towards better than average pizza. Also a lot of really good Mexican places. I roamed around Holmes County now and then and it seemed as if every crossroads had a Mexican joint of one kind or another. Considering the county is like 70% Amish I never quite figured that out.
And whichever way I head on 6, one of the detours will be to Tiffin to visit Shellshuckers and their bacon-wrapped “Crazy Sandwiches”. They do (or at least did) a grinder wrapped in bacon without the bun getting soaked in grease. It made the bacon like this really great second crust.
Stop at Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl in Zanesville. They make their own ice cream on-site and they haven’t changed the decor since 1955. It’s great.
There is not.
(I grew up in Zanesville and for a while in high school, I drove to New Concord weekly to participate in a local community wind ensemble. There is literally nothing to do there. Well, you could shop for groceries. But that’s it.)