avoiding Philly, DC, Baltimore driving from NY

[Crazy4mandms]

Just curious if anyone has come up with a good way to avoid all the traffic in these places. Would love to hear alternate routes instead of going through DC taking I-95. I'm coming from upstate NY (Binghamton, right on the PA border on I-81)

 

[cranbiz]

I personally avoid the traffic by timing. I drive thru those areas at night and have not had a problen except on the NE April school break and that was only NY and NJ.

I hit NYC at 9 to 10pm and then have no problems anywhere else.

Lately,Instead of sticking to I95 the whole way, I have been using I895 thru Baltimore and I 495 around DC on the way down and just I895 on the way back. I do these detours only because the GPS recommends them as a shorter, faster route thru these areas. I think I agree with it.

I drive the MA-FL route on I95 3 to 5 times a year (twice this year so far) and with the exception of the one time mentioned above have been fine.

Others will chime in with their opinions and that's fine. You will be able to decide what's best for you. This is what's best for me.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Tracking my walking to Disney progress from SE PA with MS Streets and Trips, following this route in part:

Pick up I-83 in York, PA (from NY you would pick it up in Harrisburg off I-81)
Stay on I-83 to Baltimore, MD, pick up I-295
Stay on I-295 through Washington, DC (DC-295)
Catch the I-495 InnerLoop to get to I-95 (I-94/I-495/Richmond)
Take the I-295 around Richmond, VA (I-295/Rocky Mount, NC)
Beyond that it's I-95 all the way to I-4 in Daytona, FL

 

[BonnieA]

Here's the route I used to take when traveling from Binghamton to Williamsburg VA when I lived there.
Take 81 thru PA, continue thru MD and W. VA into VA (all on 81). At Winchester VA take 17 all the way across the state to 95 near Fredericksburg.

You'll avoid all the Baltimore, DC traffic. Mileage wise it is probably longer but timewise it didn't seem like it. We got cured from traveling around DC one Chrismas return trip when we were delayed around DC for 4 hours. It just wasn't worth the hassle.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

A couple of other routes people have mentioned involving I-81 include --

* I-81 into VA to I-64 east to Route 288 around Richmond, connecting with I-95

* or I-81 into VA to I-77 through NC and SC to I-26 at Columbia to I-95.

Might be longer mileagewise, but definitely more scenic through the mountains and might be worth it to avoid the traffic stress.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Here's the route I used to take when traveling from Binghamton to Williamsburg VA when I lived there.
Take 81 thru PA, continue thru MD and W. VA into VA (all on 81). At Winchester VA take 17 all the way across the state to 95 near Fredericksburg.

You'll avoid all the Baltimore, DC traffic. Mileage wise it is probably longer but timewise it didn't seem like it. We got cured from traveling around DC one Chrismas return trip when we were delayed around DC for 4 hours. It just wasn't worth the hassle.

Looking at the map this might seem like my best choice! Now I remember last time we went the route others have suggested, 81 to 64, but if I take that 17 it seems a bit shorter. Can you tell me, please, what type of road that is? The map says it is a four-lane divided hwy. Just want to make sure it really is something that isn't backroads, one lane or lots of stop lights.

I went to DC last summer for a teaching conference and sat between DC and Baltimore for 5 HOURS!! I know people say go through DC at night, however; it is just me travelling with 3 kids...I'm the only driver so I don't want to drive late at night, would rather be in a good hotel room feeling comfy and safe late at night!! Besides, my brother and I drove through DC to FL at about 11 pm one night and we almost got ran off the road!! I'd rather avoid it!!

 

[MeggerasMa]

Hello neighbor to the north! I went to college in Binghamton and we now live in PA not far from I-81. We have driven the PA to FL route several times and several ways and by far prefer taking I-81 to either 17 or do the I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95 route. IMO I-95 by DC is just terrible. The scenery along I-81 is absolutely beautiful any time of year. And allthough there is truck traffic, we feel it is nowhere near as bad as the traffic on I-95. Also, in our opinion, the road condition is better on I-81 than on I-95 at the present time. (Except that in PA, there aren't many roads without pot holes!) We recently did the I-95 route from South Carolina to Washington DC out of necessity and did not enjoy it in the least. We will be travelling to FL again next January and our plans are to go 81 to 77 and that route. Hopefully, we will get to stop in Asheville, North Carolina to see the Biltmore Estate, then continue on our way to the Land of Mouse. Good luck with your journey and don't forget to enjoy the lovely countryside on the way!

 

[BonnieA]

Looking at the map this might seem like my best choice! Now I remember last time we went the route others have suggested, 81 to 64, but if I take that 17 it seems a bit shorter. Can you tell me, please, what type of road that is? The map says it is a four-lane divided hwy. Just want to make sure it really is something that isn't backroads, one lane or lots of stop lights.

Most of it is 4 lane except for a small stretch between Rt 50 and 66. There will be stoplights around Warrenton. And I haven't been down the stretch of 17 between Warrenton and Fredericksburg in quite awhile so I presume it has grown up and is more crowded than previously but still shouldn't be as bad as 95. This route has picked up in popularity since I traveled it.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Well, now, you guys have given me one less thing to worry about! I think I am going to try the 81-17-95 this time. Along 17 might be a nice place for us to take what I call a 'major' break in the middle of the daily driving (we usually find a mall to walk around or a Chuck E. Cheese or something to let the kids stretch out a bit). We've taken 81 twice previously and it is a beautiful ride, I just didn't know the best way to eventually do the cut over to 95. Now, If I could figure out the best way to drive back! It seems such a pain to get to a major highway to take me north from the West Coast of FLA (I'll be coming from Sarasota)

Meggar.....I love Binghamton! But I am still on the I hate NY, U suck because of taxes thing! So I'm thinkin'...smart person getting a good education in NY and getting the heck out!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I went down 81-64-95 from Cortland last summer and used 17 coming back up. I preferred 17: IIRC, there was a mall or shipping center in the most congested part of the route, which may work well with your plans.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

I went down 81-64-95 from Cortland last summer and used 17 coming back up. I preferred 17: IIRC, there was a mall or shipping center in the most congested part of the route, which may work well with your plans.

That would work quite well! I think I am set on 17, esp since it seems that continues more on a Southerly route as it goes East, saving precious minutes!