For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (III)

[stevil73]

If possible, try and get through the southern MD/DC/northern VA area by 6 a.m., if indeed you are traveling during the work week.

All the best.

What's the opinion about taking 295 around Richmond? Looks like its only 5 miles longer than going 95 through Richmond.

 

[BC1836]

What's the opinion about taking 295 around Richmond? Looks like its only 5 miles longer than going 95 through Richmond.

We stay on I-95 through Richmond, and always avoid rush hour traffic.

Note:The ride approaching Richmond can be tricky (especially at night or in the pre-dawn darkness) for first timers since the road is not in the best condition, turns are frequent and the elevation changes as you get nearer to the James River. But once you pass Richmond, Petersburg is not far away. And then Emporia and then the NC border!

All the best.

 

[gotdbltrbl]

We stay on I-95 through Richmond, and always avoid rush hour traffic.

Note:The ride approaching Richmond can be tricky (especially at night or in the pre-dawn darkness) for first timers since the road is not in the best condition, turns are frequent and the elevation changes as you get nearer to the James River. But once you pass Richmond, Petersburg is not far away. And then Emporia and then the NC border!

All the best.

THANKS! It will be on Friday morning, we plan on leaving around 5:30pm Thursday night, so we should be able to make it! I HOPE!

 

[NJRRK]

THANKS! It will be on Friday morning, we plan on leaving around 5:30pm Thursday night, so we should be able to make it! I HOPE!

Take I-295, definitely! Speed limit is 70 on I-295, only 55 or 60 on I-95. And as a PP stated there are some "tricky" areas through Richmond especially around the James River.

 

[stevil73]

I should be driving through very early morning 2-3am, so the route I am looking at is 895 (Balt harbor tunnel) to 295 all the way back to 495 just before the Woodrow Wilson bridge, and then back to 95. Is this the best route to take?

 

[sara mom]

What's the opinion about taking 295 around Richmond? Looks like its only 5 miles longer than going 95 through Richmond.

We have done both (way down and return trip). No preference either way. GPS wants to go the 295 route.

 

[NJRRK]

I should be driving through very early morning 2-3am, so the route I am looking at is 895 (Balt harbor tunnel) to 295 all the way back to 495 just before the Woodrow Wilson bridge, and then back to 95. Is this the best route to take?

I personally would stay on I-95 through the Ft McHenry tunnel then 295 down through to I-95, aka I-495 to just before the WW Bridge.

I like the Ft McHenry tunnel better, more lanes; less likely to get a significant backup.

 

[goofyfigment]

What's the opinion about taking 295 around Richmond? Looks like its only 5 miles longer than going 95 through Richmond.

I take 295 going but 95 coming back. Going i usually hit Richmond right before 9 am and traffic starts to back up around then

 

[edbo77]

Take I-295, definitely! Speed limit is 70 on I-295, only 55 or 60 on I-95. And as a PP stated there are some "tricky" areas through Richmond especially around the James River.

Just made this drive on Thursday night going down to WDW - PLEASE GO 295!! There was a point at Mile 78 Southbound where they were doing bridge work and 95 was down to one lane. We lost 45 minutes in traffic due to this, wish we had gone 295 (like I had always done in the past). Trust me!

 

[edbo77]

Yes please, let us know what you see regarding speed traps. The family and I are heading down the third week in February and forewarned is forearmed!

Only saw 3 radar traps in total, 1 in VA at Fredericksburg and 2 in SC. Don't think that's typical (used to seeing a lot more) but I was happy to see that Smokey didn't bother my drive.

 

[lsg1]

Just made this drive on Thursday night going down to WDW - PLEASE GO 295!! There was a point at Mile 78 Southbound where they were doing bridge work and 95 was down to one lane. We lost 45 minutes in traffic due to this, wish we had gone 295 (like I had always done in the past). Trust me!

I agree with this...take 295 - we drove last week, and used my android phone as GPS (Google navigation which has traffic built in), and it took us on 295 instead on 95 through Richmond with no problem at all. We met a couple at the hotel in Savannah who told us that they took 95 through Richmond and that there was construction that forced all traffic to one lane and they lost an hour due to traffic, where we got to Savannah with no traffic delays at all.

 

[Salrx95]

I agree with this...take 295 - we drove last week, and used my android phone as GPS (Google navigation which has traffic built in), and it took us on 295 instead on 95 through Richmond with no problem at all. We met a couple at the hotel in Savannah who told us that they took 95 through Richmond and that there was construction that forced all traffic to one lane and they lost an hour due to traffic, where we got to Savannah with no traffic delays at all.

We should be hitting that area around 7am on Friday morning. I believe the wife's GPS has built in traffic but if, not, I assume it is pretty clear how to go 295 and get back to 95. This is our 2nd family drive from Ct and hope to to reach Jacksonville by dinnertime. We don't want delays.

Thanks.

 

[harris family]

We are from northern Indiana and we went Xmas2011 23rd-30th( just had to go for Xmas) an we racked up 2600 miles we hit the ocean first then all the crusin around Disney then home bound was a blast .we are going again in may we are ready for another kick a.. road trip!!!

 

[sharadoc]

What's the opinion about taking 295 around Richmond? Looks like its only 5 miles longer than going 95 through Richmond.

We tried it last trip to compare and we really liked it. It was much nicer than going through the center of the city of Richmond. But in the summer, 295 could be really busy with Virginia Beach and Williamsburg traffic, but based on the time you should get there, it should be fine.

We also like 295 around Jacksonville, which is much less stressful than the maze of overpasses, underpasses, crossovers, on ramps and off ramps LOL.

 

[Firegerry]

Any suggestions on a decent "halfway point" when driving Boston to WDW? Looking to leave the Boston area about 4am on a Thursday.

Thank you,
Gerry

 

[nono]

Any suggestions on a decent "halfway point" when driving Boston to WDW? Looking to leave the Boston area about 4am on a Thursday.

Thank you,
Gerry

If you can get through NY/Northern NJ without too much traffic, and want to take I-95, you could probably reach Florence, SC in time for a later dinner. I think it's about 7 hrs. from Florence to WDW.

I have never taken the inland route, so I can't make any suggestions there.

 

[edbo77]

Any suggestions on a decent "halfway point" when driving Boston to WDW? Looking to leave the Boston area about 4am on a Thursday.

Thank you,
Gerry

Just a thought - wouldn't leaving Boston at 4AM put you in the heart of the NYC morning rush?

 

[BC1836]

Just a thought - wouldn't leaving Boston at 4AM put you in the heart of the NYC morning rush?

Under normal circumstances this would be a rush-hour problem but you have to depart Boston before the snow. Drive safely.

All the best.

 

[Salrx95]

Getting out of town just in time it seems ahead of the blizzard. The plan all along was to leave at midnight tonight and stay over in Jacksonville tomorrow night. But it looks like if we leave at around 8pm tonight, we could drive in less or even NO rain, according to the hourly weather forecasts this morning for the I-95 corridor.

Would rather leave earlier and miss most, if not all of the rain.

I think Daddy will get a nice nap in this afternoon and pack the car nice and early so we can leave around bedtime for the boys.

And Grandpa had better send the plow guy while we are gone!!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I know this is somewhere in this thread but I just can't read it all.

We are driving from MA.

What are the other routes besides I-95?

Is stopping in NC probably the best place/ halfway point to stop for the night?

We've never driven all the way to WDW. We have drove as far as Charleston SC though. I'm pretty sure we only drove I 95 that time.

Thanks for your help. We are leaving next week.