Can't make a decision! Help!

[kristytru]

We will be driving to the fort from NJ for the first time on 4/2. We have a used 24 ft. mothor home. Our longest trip has been 8 hours. Hubby wants the easiest route since we have only had the RV since June. Should we take 95 (& risk DC traffic) all the way down or 81 to 77 to 26 to 95? We were 90% sure of the 81 route and then someone told us it would be a tough drive throo the mountains. DH is the only driver, so we're trying to make it as stress-free as possible.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Timing is everything. I am a 95 South guy, not fond of pulling my camper thru mountainous terrain. I do try to hit the Washington beltway about 2 or 3 AM on a Saturday. Traffic is tolerable, if not pretty much light, at that time. I have done the beltway during rush hour on a week day - I do not recommend it.

 

[LarryJ]

We will be driving to the fort from NJ for the first time on 4/2. We have a used 24 ft. mothor home. Our longest trip has been 8 hours. Hubby wants the easiest route since we have only had the RV since June. Should we take 95 (& risk DC traffic) all the way down or 81 to 77 to 26 to 95? We were 90% sure of the 81 route and then someone told us it would be a tough drive throo the mountains. DH is the only driver, so we're trying to make it as stress-free as possible.

Just hit the D.C. Beltway between 10 AM and 2PM and take your chances on I-95. I've done the I-81 south over the mountains on I think it's I-77 and that's a much more trying drive than fighting the D.C. Beltway traffic.

Larry

 

[ldo]

I have made the I95 drive from DC for 20 years. On 4/2, a Thurs., you will have a fair amount of extra traffic from early Spring breakers getting away--but that will not start until after 2 PM. If you can get to DC area by 1-2 PM, you should be fine--so, from NJ (assuming 5 hrs away), if you can get on the road by 8-9 AM, you should be fine. I would definitely take I95 vs. 81.
IF you must go later in the day, if you wait to get to DC area at 8 PM or later, you will also be fine.

 

[BradyBz12]

Timing is everything. I am a 95 South guy, not fond of pulling my camper thru mountainous terrain. I do try to hit the Washington beltway about 2 or 3 AM on a Saturday. Traffic is tolerable, if not pretty much light, at that time.

Ditto on all counts!! We're coming from southern NH and usually hit the beltway about 4am ish on a Saturday - still pretty easy traveling. Wasn't even too bad the year we were on the road the night before/morning of Thanksgiving.

Any other time through DC.... ugh. Although Saturday mornings aren't horrid if it's not a holiday weekend.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

My brother and his wife have lived/worked in the DC area for the past 30 years. Many years ago, most places in DC went on "flex time" in order to alleviate the rush hour traffic. It worked fairly well for a while, but now with the increased suburban population in the area working in DC, the concept of rush hour has pretty much been eliminated, resulting in heavy traffic on the beltway most of the day during the week. With many offices having weekend hours, too, the heavy beltway traffic has spilled over into the weekend daylight hours. If you really want to eliminate any white knuckles, I would stick with mine and moniques time frame. I have bad feelings about towing thru Orlando on I4 also.

 

[BradyBz12]

I have bad feelings about towing thru Orlando on I4 also.

Yeah, with you on that one too. We usually crash the night before arrival in Jacksonville, so we only have 3 hours (ish) left on the trip. Most trips that day is a Sunday and we aim to get through Orlando around 10am. Not too terrible then. Once or twice we've been on a different schedule and been going through on a Saturday or rush hour during the week....

That wacky area in Jacksonville that's been under construction FOREVER stinks too. Make sure you slow WAY down and pay attention as soon as you see the signs.

 

[LuckyinGa]

We have a full size motor home and tow a full size pickup. We live just outside of Atlanta and whenever we head to and from the Northeast we take the following routes:

78 to 81 to 77 to 85. To continue on to the Fort we take 75 south to the Florida Turnpike.

There are plenty of campgrounds with pull thru sites. Plenty of rest stops and truck stops. The mountains are not an issue at all and both husband and I drive so I can make that statement!!

 

[MadFF]

When we went down to FW last October from Connecticut, the worst part of the drive was through New York City -- mostly due to road surface conditions. On the way back it was traffic...

Since you are starting past that, you should be fine staying on I95. Actually, where in New Jersey are you starting from? Near the shore, take I95. If far inland, look at taking the other routes.

As to stress while driving, I actually stopped about every 1 1/2 hours for a stretch/bathroom/coffee break. I could have driven longer between stops, but I didn't have to (scheduled the extra rest stops into my time figuring), and it made the drive a lot nicer.

 

[BradyBz12]

When we went down to FW last October from Connecticut, the worst part of the drive was through New York City -- mostly due to road surface conditions. On the way back it was traffic...

Yeah, we abandoned going through NYC when we got the TT for these very reasons. Not sure where you're starting out at (we're coming from NH) but we now take 84 all the way through CT to 87 in NY, to the Garden State then connect back up with 95 in NJ past NYC.

It's a little bit longer, but a MUCH smoother, less stressful ride.