DRIVING FROM NY-Best way when we get to DC area.

[nezy]

We are driving in Feb from NY to WDW.Leaving Sat at 6:00 am. MY AAA Trip Tik suggests going on 495 to the West around SC. I think I have in the past gone to the left-or stayed east as I recall crossing over into VA near Alexandria. and getting a long distance view of the Capital and Washington Monument-they were on my right (west) as I drove south. It seems AAA is sending me around a different way and then back to 95. Anyone have experince with this or live in the area I would appreciate a suggestion.

THanks.

 

[melifeld]

95 and 495 run together through part of Virginia (and through Alexandria), so it sounds like this may be the same route?

If you post the entire route I will take a look for you.

 

[nezy]

It May be the same-but the map looks a little different to me. I THINK I HAVE TAKEN 495 EAST, NOT WEST BUT I COULD BE WRONG. I will pick-up the directions w/ NJTpk:
TAKE I-95 S TOWARDS NEWARK/BALTIMORE/WILMINGTON/ 92.9 MILES

TAKE EXIT 27 TOWARDS I-495w/sILVER SPRING FOR 29 MILES

TAKE EXIT 57A TO GET TO I-395 TOWARDS RICHMOND 1.5 MILES

I-395 BECOMES I-95 s-dRIVE FOR 83.6 MILES

TAKE EXIT 84A TO GET ON I-295 TOWARDS EMPORIA/ROCKY MOUNT....

Thank you for any advice/help.

 

[nezy]

Actually what I think I took was I-295 from Baltimore down passed DC into Alexandria--does that make sense?
Is that a better route than the one suggested by AAA which keeps me on 95 then to 495 West around Dc back on to 95.?

 

[melifeld]

I see what you are saying. It is taking you the other way around the capital beltway (495). The way they have quoted you is shorter.

If you go the around the beltway so as to go through Alexandria you will still get to I-95 South. Its just a slightly longer route.

 

[nezy]

Do you have any idea which is quicker-sometimes shorter is not the fastest depending on traffic flow. We should be in DC by 11:00am on Sat morn in Feb. The Alexandria area may have more shopping traffic--not sure about the 495 west area.

I appreciate the advice.

 

[melifeld]

On a Saturday it shouldn't matter. If there is an accident it will hold you up in either direction. And there is construction going on in both directions right now.

 

[hbehrman]

On a Saturday it shouldn't matter. If there is an accident it will hold you up in either direction. And there is construction going on in both directions right now.

Don't forget to make use of the HOV lanes if they are open in your direction, as they will be quite a relief in running the gauntlet of traffic around Baltimore and DC.

 

[cranbiz]

Actually what I think I took was I-295 from Baltimore down passed DC into Alexandria--does that make sense?
Is that a better route than the one suggested by AAA which keeps me on 95 then to 495 West around Dc back on to 95.?

NO, this is a horrible route. It goes through DC and speed limit is 35mph. Roads are in horrible shape too. Use the I95/I495 route.

 

[GranddadTom]

Saturday mornings in February are, as a rule, not bad for traffic on the Beltway or on Rt. 95 south of Washington. You should forget that business about seeing the White House, etc. Right now there is more construction on the western part of the Beltway in Virginia (as they are adding another lane there) than on the eastern (where the construction around the Wilson Bridge is finishing). I would advise you to go to the East on the Beltway - in other words, take the Inner Loop. The HOV lanes are open to everyone on Saturday and on Saturday morning they will be heading south on I-95 in Virginia.

 

[disneylovin24]

I'd avoid 95 all together in that area, take I-81 to I-77 back to 95 in South Carolina (or the Mountain route). This way you don't have to go through Richmond, or DC, or Baltimore.

 

[dxander]

I'd avoid 95 all together in that area, take I-81 to I-77 back to 95 in South Carolina (or the Mountain route). This way you don't have to go through Richmond, or DC, or Baltimore.

How much more time does this add to the trip? We'll be traveling to WDW in April from NJ. We're leaving between 3am-5am on Good Friday.

 

[disneylovin24]

How much more time does this add to the trip? We'll be traveling to WDW in April from NJ. We're leaving between 3am-5am on Good Friday.

It's about 60 miles longer, but when you consider the time that you might be spending in traffic in those cities, it really isn't very bad.

 

[dxander]

It's about 60 miles longer, but when you consider the time that you might be spending in traffic in those cities, it really isn't very bad.

Do you think I should worry about that on Good Friday? I've never driven down during that time of the year.

 

[GranddadTom]

One very strong word of caution for the OP about I-81 in February. First of all, I do not like I-81 in any weather. It is Virginia's most dangerous highway. One-quarter of the traffic is trucks - big trucks. I-81 is very hilly and these trucks speed down the hills and crawl back up them; often passing each other at very slow speeds and causing road blocks that seem to last forever. How add rain and things get much worse. But in February it's the snow that you have to be concerned with. It's colder in the mountains than it is along the coast. Get on I-81 in a blowing snow storm and you'll wish you were in a traffic snarl outside Washington (which will not happen on a Saturday morning in February).

 

[nezy]

Thanks Tom. I was thinking that too--I don't want to be driving in the mountains in February!

Maybe if I drive in the summer months I will look at the alternate route.

So-take the eastern part of Beltway.

We hope to make it to Brunswick as I think you said you stopped there-or someone did!

Thanks for all of the advice-I will think of you all as I am driving!

 

[disneylovin24]

One very strong word of caution for the OP about I-81 in February. First of all, I do not like I-81 in any weather. It is Virginia's most dangerous highway. One-quarter of the traffic is trucks - big trucks. I-81 is very hilly and these trucks speed down the hills and crawl back up them; often passing each other at very slow speeds and causing road blocks that seem to last forever. How add rain and things get much worse. But in February it's the snow that you have to be concerned with. It's colder in the mountains than it is along the coast. Get on I-81 in a blowing snow storm and you'll wish you were in a traffic snarl outside Washington (which will not happen on a Saturday morning in February).

We always take 81 in February and we have never had problems with trucks. Honestly, the last few times we have encountered very few drivers of any kind. I love 81 because of the hills, the views are sepctacular. You just got to watch out for the weather in advance. In today's modern world snow storms can be predicted and then you can avoid the route.