95 or 81/77/26 from nj

java · Jul 24, 2016

I'm questioning my drive. Past few times we have done the 81 way. This time I am the only driver. I plan on leaving way early. But really dc is always a nightmare no matter what time.

But the question is has anyone done either route lately and care to weigh in.

monorailsilver · Jul 24, 2016

We drove down in 2013 & 2014 (one ur was the auto train but we had to go thru DC).

They were both on Fridays in April. The first year we took the east loop around DC. The next year we drove straight thru. There was no traffic. We use waze and I check google (yes same thing but I can see the red roads) and as we were approaching the loop I said just stay in this road.

Both times we hit DC at about 11am.

I have only done 81 when we went to Nashville. It's nice but boring.

rwdavis2 · Jul 25, 2016

If you hit DC by late morning you should be OK. I-295 straight through DC has been pretty congested lately so keep an eye on it. Waze and Google maps will both redirect you if there is traffic ahead. I think google is better, or at least faster, on that feature. Also, There are paid Express Lanes on the west side of the beltway that can take you well south of DC (not the whole way to Fredricksburg though) if they have changed direction by the time you get there. They are one-way north in the morning rush and one-way south for the afternoon but I don't know the switch over time. Well worth whatever it costs, most of the time/

GrnMtnMan · Jul 25, 2016

java said:
I'm questioning my drive. Past few times we have done the 81 way. This time I am the only driver. I plan on leaving way early. But really dc is always a nightmare no matter what time.

But the question is has anyone done either route lately and care to weigh in.

I just drove from DC to Hiton Head on Friday July 15th. Hilton Head is on the Georgia South Carolina border. Took 95 the whole way. We left DC at 5 AM and didn't encounter any traffic the entire trip (except for the road onto Hilton Head, which is off 95). We took 295 around Richmond. No major construction between DC and Georgia on that route.

We head to WDW from Hilton Head in two weeks. Are you going before or after that?

java · Jul 25, 2016

We have about 3 weeks to go.

On the "express lane" is it easy pass? Or a cash paid toll. I would hitting DC very early morning like around 7am

Oh and I know that road to Hilton Head. That's a brutal one.

ParrotBill · Jul 25, 2016

If you are the only driver, will you have a copilot who can navigate if you get to a problem area? Sure, lots of people make it through I-95 with no trouble. The reason I favor I-81 is that if you do run into an accident or construction, I have experienced less delay on the I-81/I-77/I-26 route. In fact the worst delays I usually see are on I-95 in SC where the 2-lane can't handle the traffic.

java · Jul 25, 2016

Yes I will have a non driving co pilot. I'm just thinking it will be more interesting for me as I want to crank out most of the drive day one.

But I know these are famous last words because I have been caught in horrible 95 traffic all over the place. It's just been a while so the memory fades

ValerieK · Jul 25, 2016

java said:
We have about 3 weeks to go.

On the "express lane" is it easy pass? Or a cash paid toll. I would hitting DC very early morning like around 7am

Oh and I know that road to Hilton Head. That's a brutal one.

Its EZ Pass only, no toll booths at all on that stretch of 495. Just be careful and make sure you have a transponder, they are hitting people hard for not paying tolls.

And you would be in the middle of Morning rush hour traffic at that time if its a weekday, the weekends you should be okay.

java · Jul 25, 2016

ValerieK said:
Its EZ Pass only, no toll booths at all on that stretch of 495. Just be careful and make sure you have a transponder, they are hitting people hard for not paying tolls.

And you would be in the middle of Morning rush hour traffic at that time if its a weekday, the weekends you should be okay.

I don't have an ez pass. So no fast lane for me. Will I hit other tolls that require it on that route?
Or can I borrow one? Do they allow that? My Mom has one

Lvsdisney · Jul 25, 2016

java said:
I don't have an ez pass. So no fast lane for me. Will I hit other tolls that require it on that route?
Or can I borrow one? Do they allow that? My Mom has one

I highly recommend getting an EZpass. Best thing ever. I think it's $5 a year to have, and then you pre-load it. There are many times it has saved me time! It's worth it! However, you can borrow your moms, she'll just have to add your car info/license plate to her account should the transponder not read for any reason (they'll look you up and see you're on an ez pass account and bill your tolls that way).

ValerieK · Jul 25, 2016

java said:
I don't have an ez pass. So no fast lane for me. Will I hit other tolls that require it on that route?
Or can I borrow one? Do they allow that? My Mom has one

Your license plate would have to be connected to the EZ Pass account. So it could potentially be okay.

Traffic from Baltimore to past Fredricksburg on 95 could be a nightmare, especially during rush hour, Just be aware.

The earlier in the AM you can get through DC and on the south side of the DC beltway the better. Just pray there hasn't been an accident on whatever road you choose, cause you could be stuck for hours. Been there, done that. :faint:

java · Jul 26, 2016

And Valerie just helped make my decision.
I'm sticking with 81/77

95 you have to hope for the best. Which is rare.

EpcotQueen · Jul 26, 2016

We take the 81/77 to Georgia (not quite the same as Disney,but..). Last trip was end of June. Spots of construction but nothing that slowed us down. Along the way are wonderful rest stops with nice restrooms and picnic areas. We pack a picninc lunch for the trip and enjoy a nice break from the road. 77 offers some spectacular views from the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

GrnMtnMan · Jul 26, 2016

Lvsdisney said:
I think it's $5 a year to have, and then you pre-load it.

Many states offer EZ-Pass, with varied fees, and you don’t have to be a resident to get one. You can get them without monthly fees. See here for the various programs.

I live in Washington DC, but have had EZ Pass from Maryland and Virginia. I now have a Virginia one because there is no account fee. You have to put a $35 deposit down to get the transponder, but that is refunded if/when you return it.

95 or 81/77/26 from nj

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