1st Timers Driving from NJ - HELP, PLEASE!!

[Lizzytish]

This Thursday (yes, July 4th!!) will be our first time driving from NJ to WDW. Have always flown but family was nervous this time around. My question is -- We are at the Jersey shore so we will get to 95 south. Approaching Wash. DC area I'm told to avoid AT ALL COSTS going "right through the DC area and to take "495 loop" around the city and then pick up 95 again. Someone else tells my hubby that he just drove back & forth to FLA. last week and to take "295" in that area and something about Richmond, VA.

Can anyone help, PLEASE??!! And quickly --- Thanks to all as always.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We did the trip in May and we are also from the shore, we left at 8:00 am on a thursday and stayed on 95 the entire time. We missed all the DC traffic because of our timing. I think for you that DC will be closed for the 4th so you shouldn't hit any commuter traffic.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Good advice to avoid DC proper on the 4th--it'll be virtually impassable. I-495 is the CAPITOL BELTWAY and is actually also I-95. Just follow the signs when you're on I-95 south of Baltimore. It will be a lot of traffic but no real way to escape it unless you go thru at 3:00AM or so---.
I-295 goes around Richmond. Take it and do not stay on I-95 thru Richmond. I-295 takes you around the city and is a nice, pleasant way to avoid Richmond proper.

 

[poohbears5]

We just got back this monday and we took 295 around washington and it was great no heavy traffic .

 

[Barb D]

Actually, 295 goes directly through DC. You don't want that. 95/495 is the way to go around DC.

WTOP radio (1500 AM) has "traffic and weather on the 8s" (8, 18, 28, 38, 48, 58 minutes after the hour.) You could always listen to it between Baltimore and DC to find out what the exact traffic situation is.

 

[zurgswife]

Definately take 495 around DC...You will have two choices N or S most people take 495S towards Richmond...you actually could go either way it's a little bit longer the other way ....but don't panic if you go the wrong direction on 495 both directions connect up with 95 S again in VA.

I also agree that traffic on the 4th should be lighter due to no government commuter traffic...but remember that people that live there will also be traveling to get to their July 4th destination whether it be local or long distance...So you might hit some traffic..

 

[Mark P.]

On that route, there are 2 beltways...One goes around DC, and the other is the I-295 beltway around Richmond, VA., which is a very nice alternate route. It's super easy to get off I-95, and puts you right back 95 with no problem