Alternate route from NJ to avoid Irene???

[donnaf516]

Leaving tomorrow around 7pm from NJ. Torn between heading out to 81 or taking a chance down 95. I'm thinking we'll get pretty far before we hit the storm so I'm not sure 81 is worth it since it puts us back on 95 in South Carolina. Ugh!! Someone just gave me another alternate 95/85/75...anyone done this? It adds about 100 miles to the trip but is way inland so might be something to consider.

Any advice???

 

[LadyBeBop]

What part of New Jersey are you in?

I looked up Mapquest from Newark to Orlando; one going through Atlanta, and one going down I-95. The Atlanta route is 230 miles and 3 1/2 hours longer.

I'm assuming you'd be picking up 85 near Richmond and 75 near Atlanta. Mapquest shows another route from NJ to Atlanta...78 to 81 to 77 to 485 to 85. That's a 14 hour trip to Atlanta. Assuming minimal stops, I wouldn't leave much before 7 PM. You don't want to be anywhere near Atlanta during rush hour (7-9 AM).

Good luck.

 

[donnaf516]

Thanks! We'll def skip the Atlanta route. Now to decide if we go right down 95 or take the 81/77 route. We're about 20 minutes away from Newark.

Ugh! Go away Irene!!

 

[tyandbash]

We are supposed to leave disney on saturday and drive back to the nyc area. Not sure what to do. Should we leave early? Drive through atlanta? Any opinions? Thanks!

 

[dustinsmom]

We were supposed to be taking the auto train Saturday to Disney, however found out this morning it has been canceled. My 10 yr old son and I will now be driving from NJ to Disney. Our route plan is 95/81/77. Hopefully that will take us far enough west to miss Irene!!!

 

[anuragsarin]

Thanks! We'll def skip the Atlanta route. Now to decide if we go right down 95 or take the 81/77 route. We're about 20 minutes away from Newark.

Ugh! Go away Irene!!

we are in the same position..planning to leave 8PM tonight

 

[donnaf516]

we are in the same position..planning to leave 8PM tonight

I think we're going to head down 95 for as long as we can. If anything really bad starts we'll head north and find a place to stay until it passes over....or maybe we should just take 81 to be safe...

I have NO IDEA what we'll do but we're def heading out tonight. I'm more worried about my family here in NJ.

 

[donnaf516]

We are supposed to leave disney on saturday and drive back to the nyc area. Not sure what to do. Should we leave early? Drive through atlanta? Any opinions? Thanks!

I'd say hang out another day or so and let it pass.

Good luck & safe travels!

 

[jdb in AZ]

I'd say hang out another day or so and let it pass.

Good luck & safe travels!

Agreed. The current projection has the storm passing over NYC on Sunday.

 

[taylor3297]

I think we're going to head down 95 for as long as we can. If anything really bad starts we'll head north and find a place to stay until it passes over....or maybe we should just take 81 to be safe...

I have NO IDEA what we'll do but we're def heading out tonight. I'm more worried about my family here in NJ.

Can you make it to Richmond then south of Richmond take 85 there? You won't be going as far out of your way to get to 85. From Durham to Atlanta is between 6-7 hours depending on traffic and construction.