Comments and Opinions re: avoiding Beltway

[kristielee]

Can anyone shed any information on taking RTE 301 from the Delaware Memorial Bridge down into Va??? Seeking opinions as an alternate to 495 around DC?

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I took that route about 3 years ago going from Richmond to Baltimore. Good point is that it gets you around the DC traffic. Bad point is that the speed limit is lower and it's not a limited-access highway like the interstates.

If heavy traffic bothers you, take this route. If not, it's not much of a timesaver.

 

[Uncleromulus]

That's about the size of it. Lots easier on the nerves, but saves little if any time.
If you cannot possibly avoid the Balto/DC area anytime near the rush hours, it's a good choice.
I always try to get around balto/DC at 4:00-5:00 AM. But I've had some success at "off" times too--like 10:30 in the morning, or 1:30-2:30 in the PM. Still tons of traffic, but not impossible.
I always get a great feeling when we finally get around the mixing bowl and start toward Richmond--the entire rest of the drive is a relative breeze!!

 

[MsDisney23]

Once you get off the Delaware Memorial Bridge, take Rt. #13 south... this will take you away from the Beltway, You can also look for the Chesapeak Bay Bridge tunnel, that will put you on your way pretty good. I understand the CBBT is very expensive. Or look for signs to get back over to I-95. Have a safe trip...

 

[Patsy1969]

Hi,, I just left another message for someone driving from Mass about 301. It is the way we use all the time now. it is a pleasant drive. Most of it is 4 lanes. Some lights, some local traffic, but less stressful. Also it you are going soon, it might just be safer till they find the sniper in that area. Have a safe trip. Patsy

 

[itsmagic]

MsDisney wrote: <<<Once you get off the Delaware Memorial Bridge, take Rt. #13 south... this will take you away from the Beltway, You can also look for the Chesapeak Bay Bridge tunnel, that will put you on your way pretty good. .<<<Once you get off the Delaware Memorial Bridge, take Rt. #13 south... this will take you away from the Beltway, You can also look for the Chesapeak Bay Bridge tunnel, that will put you on your way pretty good >>>

Wow. Thank you so much! I have been wondering myself how we are going to avoid the dreaded Wash/Balt segment of '95 - even before that sniper wacko. I knew Disney friends would not fail!
We will be driving from Philly later this month.
Now I wonder which is best: The Chesapeake Bay route or the 301? Has anyone driven from Philly ... and which route did/would you prefer? (And what was the easiest way to access them coming from Philly? S.O will be driving :>) We recieved our trip tics already and they, of coarse, have us going straight down '95.
Thanks so much!
Enjoy the Poly, MSDisney. It's adorable! Stayed there last year before sailing the Magic.

Once you get off the Delaware Memorial Bridge, take Rt. #13 south... this will take you away from the Beltway, You can also look for the Chesapeak Bay Bridge tunnel, that will put you on your way pretty good. .<<<Once you get off the Delaware Memorial Bridge, take Rt. #13 south... this will take you away from the Beltway, You can also look for the Chesapeak Bay Bridge tunnel, that will put you on your way pretty good

 

[Patsy1969]

Hi Itsmagic. I live in Wilm. Del. so we go down I-95 and get off at the 896 exit for Newark. Go south on 896 and it merges with 301. We have gone over the bay bridge tunnel. it is nice if you want to relax but it is a long lonely ridge down 13 through De., Maryland and Va. it also take a bit of driving to get back on 95 again. If you have never been over that bridge , it is something to see. Also take the bypasses around Richmond and Jacksonville. We do the drive every 7 months and enjoy it. Also if you have never driven before, you can always get a good reasonably meal at Cracker Barrel restaurants. they are all along 95. have fun and a safe trip. Patsy

 

[itsmagic]

Hi Patsy
Thank you so much!! I have printed out your great post. We really appreciate it!!
Cracker Barrel is our FAVORITE highlight of our drives, too! Always go for their Country Fried Steak :>)
Thank you for the Bay tip. (Perhaps we'll put that off for another time then).
Be safe :>)
Donna & Scott

 

[The Duchess]

I think we have decided to hop off I95 and go down 13 to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. We looked at 301 and it just seems still too close to the "situation" for us. We'll be looping back over to I95 in Emporia, VA on 58. It will add time, but we have three drivers. Also, we're staying our second night in Savannah, GA so we'll be able to spend a little more time there.

 

[ahoff]

I have always tried to plan my trip so that I am going thru that area around 3am. I like taking the shortest route. But someday I would like to try the bridge!

 

[seashoreCM]

Perhaps someone who has done those routes might fill us in on how many lights there are on Rte. 13/Chesapeake Bay and/or Rte. 301.

You can lose a lot of time sitting at lights outside shopping malls. even if traffic is not heavy.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[The Duchess]

seashoreCM,
That would be a great help to us also. We leave a week from Wednesday and planning on driving through that area that day.
We went that way a loooong time ago, I think in 1982 when I was in high school. The road atlas has it as a "multi-lane highway."

 

[Rpsemont]

kristielee,
I looked at a map - is chatham ny up by albany? If so you may want to consider avioding NJ too. We went to richmond this summer (from western mass) via 84 west to scranton, then 81 south until just past winchester, VA. Then 66 east and 17 south. You catch 95 just north of Fredericksburg. What an EASY drive! While I know the map makes it look like you go way west, you really don't. the mileage was only about 20 miles farther than straight down 95 and there was no traffic and we made great time. We've hit traffic in NJ as often as on the beltway, so we really wanted to avoid both. And 17 was state highway with no one on it where we managed to do a pretty steady 60 mph. Going all the way south you may want to take 81 all the way to 77 to georgia. Not sure what to telll you to search on but there were a few posts from people driving from ct and mass. That's where I got these routes. Good luck!

 

[kristielee]

Hi Rpsemont,
I really did want to go that way, but DH is CONVINCED it is way out of the way....maybe your post can help chang his mind. We leave Thursday, and with all this Sniper business, I'd like to stay as far as possible from the beltway.

 

[The Duchess]

We leave Wednesday and we're taking I81 to I77 to I95 in SC.
This is our second re-route! Scary! Oringinally going I95 to Fredericksburg,VA... then re-routed to I81 to cut over to Richmond, VA to pick up I95.
Now we've re-routed down to cut over to I95 in SC and staying in Savannah, GA for second travel night.
Thought about the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, but think it is too out of the way.
Good Luck to everyone who is driving. Stay Safe!!

 

[JudithM]

Duchess, I can understand you feeling scared. We just drove I95 through Richmond last week.

We almost always take 301 south to 207 & pick up I95 just north of Richmond. 301 is not that bad through Southern Maryland. It takes about an hour from US50 @301 in Bowie to the Potomac River Bridge. The bridge is now $3 southbound.

Travel safely whichever route you all take.

 

[BonnieA]

To those considering taking I 81, please be aware that there is a horrendous amount of truck traffic on that interstate.

 

[MsDisney23]

WARNING WARNING Take Rt. 13, stay far away from I-95. To many killings there, I pray to God for this senseless killing to stop. Head straight for Rt. #13, and then start looking for The Chesapeak Bay Bridge Tunnel. This will put you pretty far down south. Also has anyone used MapQuest. I know the tunnel is expensive, but hey, there is a nut loose.

 

[The Duchess]

BonnieA
I can second that. When we drove in 2000 the BSTs (Big Scary Trucks) were awful O-:E
But we seem sort of forced to go that way again this year with the situation on I95. Chesapeake Bay Bridge just seemed too far a side trip. We will try to stick to driving during the day only this time.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

One downside to taking the Chesapeake Bay B-T (aside from the toll) is that it brings you WAAAAAY out of the way from the interstates. After you get to Hampton Roads, it's about 80 miles to Emporia to get back to I-95.

On the other hand, I'm sure the Eastern Shore area of VA is very scenic, as is I-81 this time of year with the leaves changing.