Driving from CT?

[Mom_]

We are driving from CT and thinking of taking I-84 to Scranton, PA to I-81 to I-64 in Roanoke, VA, to I-95 to Orlando. It is approx 90 min farther than I-95 straight in but it bypasses NY, NJ and DC. Do you think it is worth it to take this route? We are leaving around noon from Hartford, CT and thinking of driving straight through. This is our first drive to florida. Has anyone else taken this route? TIA

 

[PCFriar80]

We are driving from CT and thinking of taking I-84 to Scranton, PA to I-81 to I-64 in Roanoke, VA, to I-95 to Orlando. It is approx 90 min farther than I-95 straight in but it bypasses NY, NJ and DC. Do you think it is worth it to take this route? We are leaving around noon from Hartford, CT and thinking of driving straight through. This is our first drive to florida. Has anyone else taken this route? TIA

Full disclosure; never have driven to WDW from near Storrs, CT. Based on you leaving at noon and using the I95 route, I see you over the GWB by 2:00 PM, Delaware Memorial Bridge by 4:00 PM and maybe hitting late DC traffic. I might be wrong on the DC part, or Baltimore for that matter, but I think I would go the
I95 route. JMO. Good luck!

 

[Mom_]

Full disclosure; never have driven to WDW from near Storrs, CT. Based on you leaving at noon and using the I95 route, I see you over the GWB by 2:00 PM, Delaware Memorial Bridge by 4:00 PM and maybe hitting late DC traffic. I might be wrong on the DC part, or Baltimore for that matter, but I think I would go the
I95 route. JMO. Good luck!

But we are not taking the 195 route. The route in my original post bypasses NY, NJ and DC. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[PCFriar80]

But we are not taking the 195 route. The route in my original post bypasses NY, NJ and DC. Correct me if I'm wrong.

In your OP you said "and thinking of taking I-84......." By saying "thinking" I had assumed your mind was not made up. I responded accordingly thinking that NY, NJ, and DC would'nt be a problem based on the the time of day you're leaving. If you have made up your mind and bypassing them, then I'll sign-off.

 

[Mom_]

I'm trying to avoid high traffic. I'm not sure of the best route. So you were recommending taking I95 straight through! Gotcha. Thanks!

 

[ceopamom3]

I live near Scranton... We have driven to WDW more than half a dozen times - all but one straight though.. The only time I would drive drive straight down I-95 would be late evening.. Hitting Baltimore around 8 p.m. We attempted to start at 8 a.m. one time during our only two day drive - and sat for 2 to 3 hours in just horrendously slow traffic around DC. The I81 route is an easy drive - I would recommend it... And a additional small upside - no tolls! Also - I would recommend timing your drive so that you can check into your hotel and receive your room directly upon arriving. Nothing feels better than a warm shower and short rest after that drive - especially if it is straight through!

Have a great trip and safe drive!

 

[mom2missmous]

We live in the Hartford area and used to drive down almost every year(before we started flying). We took a similar route, but avoided Scranton ( we passed throught the Delaware River Gap. If you want particulars on the route, I would be glad to ask my husband. We hated taking the "lower" route, preferring to avoid the areas you mentioned avoiding. We have never driven non-stop, however, preferring to stop for just a few hours just before the Georgia border.

 

[baileybelle]

Mom: We always drive the 84-81 route. We usually leave southern Maine around 1am. We go on 84 in Mass to 81 in Scranton to 66-17 in Virginia to 95 around Fredricksburg, VA. We usually stop in South Carolina around 6 in the evening.

It takes us about 23 hours driving time from Maine. So about 16 hours the 1st day and 7 the next. Usually arrive at WDW around 1pm if there are no accidents along the way. One year there was a major accident on 95 just about the NC/SC border and we sat there for 3 hours!!

I have also heard you can cut across from 81 to 64 to 288 around Richmond, VA. We haven't tried that yet, but are thinking about it on our trip in April, 2007. If moderator obi-wan pinobi is out there, he could probably fill us in on 288. I believe he is from the Richmond,VA area.

Mom2Missmous: I would like to hear about that route you mentioned...Thanks

 

[pbharris4]

Another option instead of going all the way to Roanoke would be taking I-81 in PA to Winchester and then picking up Route 17 and follow that to Fredericksburg, VA and get on I95 there. You'll miss all the tolls, traffic and everything else. I have driven I-81 many times as my parents lived off if I-81 near Hazleton, PA. It's worth it if you really want to avoid most traffic and potential accidents. From Fredericksburg and south to WDW isn't bad.

 

[kmjmom]

It might be cheaper to fly. We just got $59 flights each way from Bradley! Just a thought!

 

[lats118]

What airline and when are you flying?

 

[kmjmom]

We're flying in August and it is Southwest. I signed up for their e-mail fare sales and got the $59 rate. I was shocked at how cheap. $118 roundtrip AND direct flights! Good luck!

 

[Mom_]

It might be cheaper to fly. We just got $59 flights each way from Bradley! Just a thought!

We are driving a car to Orlando to leave at our vacation home. We are flying back to CT on SW at the incredible sale price of $54 one way ($67 with fees). I agree that you can't drive down for $54! The same tickets right now are $137 one way! The sale ended June 8th.

Thanks to all that suggested routes from CT.

 

[DJNOWICK]

I live 20 minutes south of Baltimore and work in DC.

Before you travel I-81, etc. make sure you check on construction, etc. That route through the mountains can be horrendous with lane closures and trucks, etc.

If you do come down I-95 (and I agree with the PP that leaving at noon you'd hit Baltimore around rush hour...) I'd skip DC altogether -- here's how:

Come through the Harbor Tunnel (Rt 895, toward Annapolis) instead of the Ft McHenry tunnel (Rt 95).

From there, take Rt 97 South. Exit at Rt 3/32 (probably about exit 9 or so); take Rt 3 south toward Crofton. Rt 3 will turn into Rt 301 SOuth. Take 301 across the Potomac and into Virginia. You'll pick up Rt 95 South again near Richmond (Bowling Green, I think).

To me this is the best of both worlds - no DC traffic, and more direct.

GL, Jackie

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I have also heard you can cut across from 81 to 64 to 288 around Richmond, VA. We haven't tried that yet, but are thinking about it on our trip in April, 2007. If moderator obi-wan pinobi is out there, he could probably fill us in on 288. I believe he is from the Richmond,VA area.

Truck traffic on I-81 has grown a lot over the years. Most of the stretch is 2 lanes in each direction, plus it's through the mountains. Beautiful scenery but can be nervous at times when you're passing a big rig. Once you get onto I-64 eastbound at Staunton and over Afton Mountain, you're coming out of the mountains and traffic is a lighter until you reach Richmond (except for some around Charlottesville).

Route 288 is a great ride if you're coming east on 64 and need to get to 95 south. Traffic can be somewhat heavy during the rush hours, with commuters going from one side of the river to the other. Primarily it's south to north in the morning and north to south in the afternoon. Even when it's heavy, it does move, and compared with the DC mixing bowl or anything you'll see in NY or NJ it's nothing. IMO, traffic on 288 is better than going through Richmond itself. They've been working on I-64 near where it merges with I-95 and I frequently hear accident reports on the radio for that area.

Only thing is, not too many of the exits have much development in terms of gas, food, and hotels. US 360 is the best in terms of this. Of course, I think the entire stretch is somewhere around 30 miles from I-64 to I-95.

Once you reach I-95 there may be some traffic southbound until you pass Petersburg, but it still doesn't compare to DC traffic.

 

[RobinMarie]

I would never do a straight I95 drive down south again. I think your plans are a pretty good idea.

 

[Mom_]

Come through the Harbor Tunnel (Rt 895, toward Annapolis) instead of the Ft McHenry tunnel (Rt 95).

From there, take Rt 97 South. Exit at Rt 3/32 (probably about exit 9 or so); take Rt 3 south toward Crofton. Rt 3 will turn into Rt 301 SOuth. Take 301 across the Potomac and into Virginia. You'll pick up Rt 95 South again near Richmond (Bowling Green, I think).

To me this is the best of both worlds - no DC traffic, and more direct.

GL, Jackie

Where is the Harbor Tunnel? TIA

 

[MeggerasMa]

We've driven to WDW 3 times and never do I-95 the entire way. If you decide to go I-81, however, I wouldn't travel I-64 to 95. I-64, IMO is a long ride across the state of VA to get to I-95 (from Staunton to Richmond). I'd either take 81 to 17 at Winchester, VA then you hit 95 at Fredricksburg or if you want to travel 81 down to Roanoke (had DD graduate from there so am familiar with that route) , then take 77 to 40 to 95 in N.Carolina or 77 to 26 to 95 in S. Carolina. Personally, we will do the 81 to 77 to 40 because we want to make a stop in Asheville. Don't blame you a bit for wanting to avoid the DC traffic and what I call "circle nightmare" stuff! LOL! We are also familiar with that since DD was interning in DC for awhile too. Whichever route you choose, travel safe and enjoy the ride. Those long hours of togetherness can be a rewarding journey of it's own.

 

[DJNOWICK]

Where is the Harbor Tunnel? TIA

As you approach Baltimore on Rt 95 South (just after you cross through the Baltimre beltway - Rt 695) the highway will split -- Rt. 95 South/Ft. McHenry tunnel bears right and Rt. 895/Harbor Tunnel bears left. You can't miss it.

Also, get EZ Pass if you don't have it already - but I assume being in CT you have it...

Jackie

 

[Mom_]

Thank you all for the comments and info on routes from CT.

My DH is now looking into leaving around 5pm and going I-95 straight down. He thinks driving through the night he will avoid bad traffic in NY, NJ and DC. What do you think? TIA