anyone driven from MA?? Help???

[DNBois]

My wife and I are taking the autotrain in a month and i'm not sure what the best plan would be for us as far as what time should we leave (we figured 2am) and what route should we take. We very much would like to avoid 95 as much as poosible as we don't do well with traffic. Seems I keep reading about this alt. route involving 84west to 81 south. can anyone please give us some detailed advice as what we should do??? Thank you.

 

[Stiff]

I have never driven all the way to florida...HOWEVER, I used to live in NC with my family in PA so Ive traveled that distance many many many (way too many) times. if its traffic you fear, then in the leg between you and NC, you could take 84 to 81 south....take 81 south to winchester VA and there is a highway that goes across to 95 there (66 or something? you cant miss it on a map).......if you travel over to 95 at that point, you will be past DC already (thus missing DC, Philly, Baltimore, NYC, etc). 95 is very clean sailing into SC at least.....Ive never been on it past here

one other tip....if its NOT a rush hour type time, just take 95 striaght through richmond....its not a real busy city...if its close to rush hour...there is a bypass that goes east of 95 (I think its 295)

 

[DNBois]

Thanks so much - we have been waiting for some detailed directions and that is what we were looking for - thanks again!!!

 

[cherylp3]

You may want to pick up a trip ticket from AAA.

Note going this route may take extra time.

Cheryl

 

[DNBois]

The question would be how much extra time and would it be comparable to the traffic we will encounter during the am commutes using 95 all the way down? hmm.

 

[higgin704]

I think I may be reading this wrong, but if you get to Richmond, you have gone too far. Lorton is just after the DC beltway once you get back onto 95.

To the OP - We live outside of Baltimore and have used the autotrain on 3 of our trips. I think you will enjoy it. You need to get there absolutely no later than 3, so I would time it for 2. That puts you passing by Baltimore at about 12:00 and traffic is very managable. I am not sure about the other citiies you pass through. Just wanted to weigh in on the one I know

angie

Originally posted by Stiff
I have never driven all the way to florida...HOWEVER, I used to live in NC with my family in PA so Ive traveled that distance many many many (way too many) times. if its traffic you fear, then in the leg between you and NC, you could take 84 to 81 south....take 81 south to winchester VA and there is a highway that goes across to 95 there (66 or something? you cant miss it on a map).......if you travel over to 95 at that point, you will be past DC already (thus missing DC, Philly, Baltimore, NYC, etc). 95 is very clean sailing into SC at least.....Ive never been on it past here

one other tip....if its NOT a rush hour type time, just take 95 striaght through richmond....its not a real busy city...if its close to rush hour...there is a bypass that goes east of 95 (I think its 295)