Best route through Baltimore/Washington

[OKW Lover]

We will be driving from MA to WDW for the second time in early March. I'm wondering what everybody's preference is for the stretch between Baltimore and Washington. I-95 or I-295? We will be going through there mid-afternoon on a Sunday if that affects your suggestions.

 

[richmo]

We will be driving from MA to WDW for the second time in early March. I'm wondering what everybody's preference is for the stretch between Baltimore and Washington. I-95 or I-295? We will be going through there mid-afternoon on a Sunday if that affects your suggestions.

Wouldn't think it would make much difference on a Sunday afternoon. I think the traffic tends to drive a little faster on I-95. Actually the stretch between Baltimore and Washington is MD-295, not I-295...also known as the Baltimore Washington Parkway. 295 might be a mile or two shorter, but unless I hear of an accident, I'd probably go with I-95.

 

[grimley1968]

Traffic shouldn't be a concern for you, driving on a Sunday. I'd just go with whichever one is closest to your preference. Between Baltimore and DC, there's really not much difference between 95 and 295, except that 95 has more lanes. Once you get to DC itself, though, 295 offers the most direct route through the city. Unless there's an accident, though, I think you'd be fine on either road on a Sunday.

Once in the Anacostia area on 295, you have the chance to get on 395 if you like. This turns into 95 south of DC once you clear 495. 395 is horribly congested on weekdays (I used to live right off 395), but not so bad on weekends. Look for signs that say something like 695/395 to get onto this. Otherwise you can stay on 295 and then go west on 495 for a bit to get on 395.

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[stevil73]

I'm in the same boat as OKW, driving from NH through the Baltimore - Washington area on a Sunday morning. Seems like all the routes will take about the same time without traffic. Does anyone know a radio station for traffic info once I get closer to the area?

 

[double r]

99.1 fm will do traffic on the ones and 103.5 does it on the 8's, I think they are from the same traffic reports but they are good and will offer detour routes

 

[gdrj]

There will be as many opinions as there are cars in the DC area. I live in the DC area but use to live in NY/NJ and drive to Disney.

Here are my recommendations
On Sunday 95 South (over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge) is probably the best.
If there is an accident jumping to 295 between Balt and DC is fine.

Never ever ever take the top of Beltway from 95 to 495 (towards Tysons Corner VA)


Even if I'm 295 I would jump back on the 95 at the beltway instead of staying on 295. When I don't jump off I usually regret. 295 inside the beltway tends to have construction (most is cleared up), it also has traffic cameras in in the section that is in DC (40 MPH), and if you were to breakdown it has minimal breakdown lanes and not a great area.

As far as 395 there is a direct route from 295 and should be fairly clear you just never know with DC what will be delaying traffic.

Once you get through that area 95 Southbound from Springfield VA to Quantico can be very slow. Its 20 miles that can be bumper to bumper with volume.

On a sidenote Gas Prices are better in VA than MD but you will want to wait until the Fredericksburg area mile markers from 130's to 104. It can be as much as 20 cents cheaper.

 

[richmo]

Once you get through that area 95 Southbound from Springfield VA to Quantico can be very slow. Its 20 miles that can be bumper to bumper with volume.

Agreed. This is worse than the beltway. A local could chime in and say if it would be better to jump off and use US 1 for that stretch. It can be really bad.

I've even taken DE 1 (or I-97 out of Baltimore) and US 301 to avoid that area at times.

 

[mikehn]

Sundays in early March would probably be the best time as any to travel down I95 between Baltimore and Richmond. You might run into a hot spot here and there, but that would be an anomaly rather than the norm for a sunday in March. If you were to travel on a Friday or even a Saturday, that would be a totally different story.

 

[OKW Lover]

Just wanted to thank everybody again. We did the drive down this past Sunday and took the suggested routes through/around Baltimore and DC. Worked out great!

Also want to suggest an iPhone AP for those doing long distance driving, iExit. It covers all the major interstates (but not the NJ Turnpike) and shows what is available at each approaching exit. The lite version, which is free, shows about 10 exits ahead. Liked it so much I'm going to upgrade to the pro version before we head back.