A method of optimizing drilling ramp-up is provided herein. More specifically, a method of ramping up a drilling operation from a static condition (0, 0) to optimum drilling parameter values (WOB*, RPM*) is provided. The method includes identifying a set of drilling control variables used in forming the wellbore. Examples include weight-on-bit (WOB) and rate of penetration (RPM). The method additionally includes selecting desired control variable values for a first identified drilling stage. The values may be generically referred to as (V1, V2). The method also includes increasing the drilling control variables from (0, 0) to pre-defined drilling control variable values (V1, V2). Preferably, V1 is a WOB value while V2 is a rotation speed value (RPM). The method also comprises monitoring a performance index (PI), wherein (PI) is a combination of torque (TQ) and penetration rate (RPM). The method then includes determining an optimal path to optimum drilling parameter values (WOB*, RPM*) using the Performance Index (PI).