Driving from NJ - Question

[diana13]

My husband will be driving alone with my children, meeting me (who leaves earlier for a business trip) in Disney.

They are planning on leaving from central NJ/shore around 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17th. (they need to leave after school & work and want to avoid DC rush hour)

Looking for suggestions as to where they will end up around 11:00 p.m. or midnight, the latest, to stay over?
Also, they will definitely leave that afternoon, so please suggest around this timeframe.
Thank you in advance!

 

[ducklite]

My husband will be driving alone with my children, meeting me (who leaves earlier for a business trip) in Disney.

They are planning on leaving from central NJ/shore around 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17th. (they need to leave after school & work and want to avoid DC rush hour)

Looking for suggestions as to where they will end up around 11:00 p.m. or midnight, the latest, to stay over?
Also, they will definitely leave that afternoon, so please suggest around this timeframe.
Thank you in advance!

If they are leaving @ 4:00pm on a Friday they are driving right into rush hour! They'll hit rush in Philly and Baltimore. If that's when they are set on leaving, plan on getting to the Richmond, VA area at 11:00pm. IF they get really lucky, they might get as far as Emporia by midnight.

Anne

 

[postalcop]

well depending on the traffic situation they should be somewhere at the end on VA or the begining of NC. but we never left that time of day, so i would assume that time should be ok, since they should get to DC around 8 pm, ( not sure though how long the traffic lasts there).
good luck and have fun!!!

~sue

 

[diana13]

Do you think there will be traffic on the NJ side by Philly? We usually go down I-95 to the Del Bridge.
Didn't think about traffic in Baltimore, which is usally about 2 1/2 hours from us.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Do you think there will be traffic on the NJ side by Philly?

As one who drives in it daily, yes.

I'm trying to think of a decent route. Are you anywhere near 537 (Great Adventure)? You could take 537 into Mt. Holly, to 541 to the NJ Tpk.

 

[diana13]

We could go down 537 past GA, but where is most of the traffic? The NYC return trafffic on the turnpike? We come from 195 heading west, do you think we would be better on 295? Not sure I know where 541 is, but do know Mt Holly.
Thank you!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

The traffic is on 295 heading south. It's not bad until you get into the Moorestown/Mount Laurel, but it'll be busy from there 'til you're south of the 295/42 intersection. 295/42 can be a real mess.

Here's a link to Mapquest, showing how to get from 537 (labeled Monmouth Rd) to Woodlane Rd to 541 (Burlington Mt. Holly Rd). The Tpk entrance is about 1.5 miles from where you turn from Woodlane onto 541.

http://*******.com/necno

Here's google maps satellite/road map:

http://*******.com/llmma

ETA: Hmm...not sure why that website got the **** treatment...

 

[diana13]

Thanks,
I will mapquest or look at detail maps.
I appreciate the info,
Diana

 

[Hannathy]

No matter what route you take they will be in heavy traffic anywhere in NJ at that time of day, and south of Philly will be busy also. That's a real bad time to leave. A little earlier could make a big difference.

 

[Mark P.]

Hi,
Have you considered signing up for EZ Pass? (www.ezpass.com)

We did the drive last year (from NJ), and read here on the boads that it might be a good idea....It was!

We got the ezpass for the trip, and while we haven't used it much since, it is still convenient to have in the rare occasions we do travel over to Delaware, Philly, or on the NJ tpike.

 

[Capt_BJ]

might need a little head start on that 4pm departure, but the Cape May Ferry to the Ches Bay Bridge tunnel is toll $$$ but allows them to skip the entire Philly, Balt, DC thing. Unfort last ferry that day is 6m from NJ side.

Or, cross at Philly then take 13 south to the CBB & Norfolk then 58 over to p/u 95 south of Richmond

I use this route from Norfolk to Manasquan and time is about the same as all 95 w/out the crowds...lots of rooms to be had around the Greenbriar/Chesapeake area at 64&464 south of Norfolk

 

[isyt]

Recently I moved my mom to Florida. We left north Jersey (I am in Parsippany area) at exactly 2pm on a friday. We stopped an hour into N.C at 11p. I have driven to Florida several times but we made an exceptional time. I think you will do ok on 95, I am assuming you will be at the top of Maryland at 5p so if they hit traffic stop for dinner. They will be finished and the traffic should clear up. Goodness know we can't predict all traffic but I will send pixie dust your way for a safe and speedy trip !!!!!