Best way to Auto train from Middletown, DE? ASAP!!!!

[JMLBrats]

Okay, our friends just drove to the autotrain the other day and said that 495 was an absolute nightmare-so now I'm getting scared!
What is the best route for us to get there in a resonable amount of time (it's suppossed to be a 2.5 hr trip) and not run into a ton of traffic.

Please help ASAP-leaving in the morning!

 

[vicki_c]

Do a search on delaware and lorton. 13 threads came up, a number of which are about how to go from DE, NJ, etc. to Lorton. Good luck!

 

[JMLBrats]

Do a search on delaware and lorton. 13 threads came up, a number of which are about how to go from DE, NJ, etc. to Lorton. Good luck!

good idea. Thanks for the tip, I'll give that a try!

 

[Kazzy1548]

OMG...
We just drove through the 495 last night, it what a nightmare. The trip down was a breeze even the New Jersey turnpike was heaven compared to the 485. We will try to see for an alternative route on the way back. Although when we come back, we might avoid traffic at the time we get off the train. Any suggestions will be welcomed...
Now off to the auto train, I hope it will be a great experience

 

[ibcnu]

Are you talking the western route around DC or the eastern route?

We took I-95 last Thursday and took the eastern route of I-95/I-495 and it was clear sailing (this was late am, around 11am). I checked my traffic watch and there appeared to be residual traffic on the western loop around, that's why we took the eastern. But I noticed that all of the maps take you western and not eastern. Someone in the area did report that the western side of 495 around DC is currently under road construction, coupled with the fact that it is a more highly populated area.

Definately take I-95/I-495 Eastern route.

 

[NJRRK]

Use 295, and the Anacostia Freeway, it's saved us time in the past. You get back on I-95 right before the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.