Driving from Phila. - rt. 301 through MD/VA?

[DizneeCM]

Hi, we are going to Hilton Head this summer and are driving from the Philadelphia area. Since we have to leave at about 3:00 on a summer Friday afternoon, we are thinking of trying rt. 301 to try to avoid some of the Washington rush hour traffic (instead of the usual I-95 route). We would follow 301 south through Maryland, cross the Chesapeake going towards Annapolis (50/301), and then back to 301 until Carmel Church, VA (between Fredericksburg and Richmond), where we will hop on 95.

All of you Washington-area people (or frequent travelers to that area), do you think this would work, or will 301 be jammed with commuters and beach-travelers? (we'd probably hit the Annapolis area around 6:00 p.m. or so, maybe a bit earlier if we can leave sooner). Also, how is the bridge that crosses from Chester, MD over to Annapolis -will that be really busy?

We're hoping to make it to the Richmond area in about 6 hours before stopping for the night.

What do you think? Will it work? Thanks!

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

301 should be ok. A couple of areas with traffic heavy will be just after the 50/301 split south of the Bay Bridge on 301 not real bad but you need to move left 2 lanes. The next will be near the shopping centers around waldorf MD again not real bad just traffic lights every 1/4 mile or so FOR 3 MILES.

On a friday night the west bound bridge traffic shouldn't be bad. East bound will be very bad BEACH TRAFFIC

Jeff

 

[jennib5426]

I take 301 to/from Richmond to Annapolis all the time. There will be no beach traffic going south towards Richmond. Just remember there are a lot of traffic lights on 301 but it is still better than 95 south.

If you are taking 301 home, north, there is no beach traffic until you hit rt 50 near Annapolis. I take 301 to the beach all the time on Fridays and it is not bad.

Pending major traffic accident you should be able to make it in 6 hours no problem. That being said there are always major accidents on 495/95 which would cause an increase in traffic on 301.

 

[DizneeCM]

Thanks for the info. - I think we'll give 301 a try!