Can't offer route suggestions, but make sure she has a cell phone car charger. If all else fails, she can resort to using Seri, although she doesn't always give the shortest route. She saved' me one evening one evrning when there was road construction and I had no clue as to an alternate route~I was actually in tears until I remembered to use her!

I drive alot in the Midwest. My vote is to stick with interstates and stop at national chain gas stations for services - Speedway has clean restrooms, hot coffee, bottled water etc. Avoid Citgo gas stations and don't stop at highway rest areas. US 23 isn't an interstate although it's a fine road.

We've driven Asheville to Chicago a few times and there's nothing to warn about. Columbus sholdn't be much different.

And, yes, have a cell phone. When traveling alone, I always write out my route on a separate piece of paper, in larger writing, so it.'s easy to pick up and read as I drive.

She'll be fine!

I have driven a whole, whole lot starting when I was a young college student... she'll be fine! I agree- stick with the route that's mostly interstates... if she's driving during the day, she should be fine at any interstate rest area--- depending on the car she's driving, she probably won't even need to stop for gas til she's pretty close to Columbus! she won't be going thru any really remote areas so lack of cell service shouldn't be a problem... if cell service is a problem anywhere, it would probably be around Asheville and the hilly corner of tn she'll probably go thru. print off driving directions if she feels her phone gps might be unreliable...

I use the app Waze, and it hasn't let me down yet. It gives info on expected arrival time, and also notifies if there are any delays. Agreed, stick to the interstates, she will be fine.

Do you or does she belong to AAA?

My son-in-law uses Waze too. He used to use another great Phone app when he and my daughter would be driving back home from a long distance. It's called Glympse.com. You won't have to worry where your daughter is on the highway, because you can track her car on a map on your computer. It will also tell you her speed and estimated arrival time. I really liked being able to know how far along they were without bothering them with phone calls.

We are further north of Columbus --- nice city!
We just came back from a trip to Florida.
We use the 77 Route.
It is a great route, lots of places to stop.
My only issue is driving through the mountains. From the time you hit the Virginia border through Charleston, W.Va., you are up in the mountains. He doesn't mind, in fact thinks it is fun! - but I don't like it - and especially the W.VA. turnpike. During the day, it is okay, but I would not want to be driving that stretch at night.
Realize that is just me and I don't want to scare you. Just letting you know what the road is like. I have never driven the I-75 route so I don't know about those roads.

We often drive Columbus-vicinity to Asheville. DH suggested 75 for your DD, He mentioned the mountains on 77, as the poster above did, but also said to make sure your daughter has plenty of change for the I75 tolls. We've never taken 23.

77 will have the WV turnpike. I drive it a lot, but it is in the mountains and very curvy. Lots of people don't like it, but I'm used to it so I don't notice any more. There are also 3 tolls - $2 each and they don't take credit cards so make sure you have cash. The rest stops there are full service gas and rest stops and I've never had an issue stopping there during the day. They are always very busy.

I've not gone the other routes so I can't compare.

Thanks everyone! She traveled Thursday via 75 and had no trouble. Well, except for the self imposed detour when she tried to find a Taco Bell and Apple maps lead her astray. : )

That is so good to hear. I am so glad she didn't trek through the mountains.
I loathe driving through there - don't know if I will ever get used to it.
We never stop worrying about our kids!!!