Driving from Philadelphia to Disney, Where to stop for night and questions in driving

[MaleficentRN]

So yeah if all goes well, we will be hitting harrisburg around 7:15am, is there any traffic around there? We plan to stop for a brunch between 11am and 12pm and then dinner between 6pm and 8pm.

Just wondering how you are ending up in Harrisburg traveling south from Philadelphia.

 

[rwdavis2]

Just wondering how you are ending up in Harrisburg traveling south from Philadelphia.

The original route was from Philly on 76 to 81 (Harrisburg) then South.

 

[Danny K]

Just wondering how you are ending up in Harrisburg traveling south from Philadelphia.

Because I am thinking to take I-76 west to I-81 south to I-77 south to I-26 south to I-95 south to avoid traffic. NOT I-95 all the way down.

 

[amcnj]

We take Rt. 301 and get back on 95 at exit 104 in Va. just one exit above Kings Dominion.

Where do you first get onto 301 and then how many miles and hours does it take till you are back on 95? What is that roadway like as to number of lanes, lights, etc? Thanks!

 

[MaleficentRN]

Because I am thinking to take I-76 west to I-81 south to I-77 south to I-26 south to I-95 south to avoid traffic. NOT I-95 all the way down.

If you are coming from the west of Center City that makes sense.

 

[mikehn]

who else was also stuck from Alexandria down to Richmond?

LOL! This is probably the worst stretch of road in the entire country on Friday afternoons.

 

[sharadoc]

Because I am thinking to take I-76 west to I-81 south to I-77 south to I-26 south to I-95 south to avoid traffic. NOT I-95 all the way down.

We've considered that, but it would add about 2 hours to our trip. We decided to take a chance on traffic rather than a guaranteed extra 2 hours.

I think a few posters are saying your 5:30 am departure is what will really hurt your Baltimore/DC traffic.

The beltway on the eastern side is much better, the western side is always a nightmare.

Good luck figuring it out.

 

[Danny K]

LOL! This is probably the worst stretch of road in the entire country on Friday afternoons.

Should I take 76 to harrisburg and then 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 then?

 

[amcnj]

If you can leave earlier, it does help. I usually leave around 2:30 AM and am passing DC at 5:30 am (I am about an hour and ten minutes from the Delaware Memorial Bridge). I stay on 95 the whole way and arrive in the Orlando area around 6:30 PM, depending on stops, traffic, weather, etc. And sharadoc said earleir that leaving 9 AM also works. Leaving at 5:30, what time will you be in the DC area?

 

[mikehn]

Should I take 76 to harrisburg and then 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 then?

I dont know about harrisburg to DC. But stick with I-95 south from DC. Try to get past Fredericksburg no later than 2pm I think that should take you past the worst of the traffic.

 

[Danny K]

We've considered that, but it would add about 2 hours to our trip. We decided to take a chance on traffic rather than a guaranteed extra 2 hours.

I think a few posters are saying your 5:30 am departure is what will really hurt your Baltimore/DC traffic.

The beltway on the eastern side is much better, the western side is always a nightmare.

Good luck figuring it out.

I discovered that, but I think i will be taking baltimore washington parkway and then based on traffic decide if I will continue on I-295 S, or take I-395 S through D.C, and skip the beltway.

 

[double r]

Where do you first get onto 301 and then how many miles and hours does it take till you are back on 95? What is that roadway like as to number of lanes, lights, etc? Thanks!

You can pick up 301 a couple of ways in De. The best way I think is Rt.95 to exit 1 follow 896 south and it runs right into 301. you can stay on it to Rt.50 then pick up 95 north of the WW bridge but then you still have to battle the dreaded northern 95 section in Va.
We stay on 301, yes there are traffic lights and towns to go thru but most of the ride is still a nice 2 lane highway then after you cross into Va. follow signs to 95 past AP Hill, brings you out at exit 104, one exit above Kings Dominion and below that nasty section of 95 everyone hates in Va.
We started this route because of towing a camper(propane) and have used it almost every time we head south, plus we live 5 minutes from 301 helps also.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Can't help out with the top end of your trip, we're from northeast Ohio and do the 77 to 26 to 95 to 4....we like making it to the Fla/ Georgia area....we stop at Kinglands Georgia, Hampton Inn...

Next morning g we up quite early to beat the traffic thru Jacksonville and I-4 to WDW...up and out by 5 am....3+ hours to go and into WDW real early to start a whole day of fun...

 

[Danny K]

You can pick up 301 a couple of ways in De. The best way I think is Rt.95 to exit 1 follow 896 south and it runs right into 301. you can stay on it to Rt.50 then pick up 95 north of the WW bridge but then you still have to battle the dreaded northern 95 section in Va.
We stay on 301, yes there are traffic lights and towns to go thru but most of the ride is still a nice 2 lane highway then after you cross into Va. follow signs to 95 past AP Hill, brings you out at exit 104, one exit above Kings Dominion and below that nasty section of 95 everyone hates in Va.
We started this route because of towing a camper(propane) and have used it almost every time we head south, plus we live 5 minutes from 301 helps also.

Have you ever gotten stuck on Route 301 bridge from MD to VA? I have a feeling route 301 will still result in traffic, and I have been stuck because they blocked the bridge. Also it looks like I can pick up route 301 in delaware from DL-1, and then route 301, U.S 50 over chesapeake bay bridge, and then 301 as you said.

What about Route 13 through delaware and then Route 58 back to 95 from Norfolk, VA?

 

[double r]

Have you ever gotten stuck on Route 301 bridge from MD to VA? I have a feeling route 301 will still result in traffic, and I have been stuck because they blocked the bridge. Also it looks like I can pick up route 301 in delaware from DL-1, and then route 301, U.S 50 over chesapeake bay bridge, and then 301 as you said.

What about Route 13 through delaware and then Route 58 back to 95 from Norfolk, VA?

No I have never been stuck at the Nice Bridge into Va. even though it's only one lane each way.
Yes you can get to 301 via Rt. 1 a lot of folks go that way, keep in mind you do have a toll going that way at the bridge over the C&D Canal. I personally would not use Rt. 13, it seems much longer and to many small town speed traps that get many people speeding, if it says 35mph to not go 36 mph

 

[double r]

Just thought I would bump this threat back towards the top as departing time is soon approaching and just want to wish all that are driving to the Disney World over the holidays a safe trip with very little traffic problems.

 

[kc10family]

This has been a great read!

OP- can you give a traffic report and stops you made once you make your trip.

 

[double r]

I am not the OP but have added plenty here , we left De. around 5:15pm and took the 301 route and glad we did, there was a accident near the WW bridge that took up 3 left lanes and last we heard they were still waiting on another ambulance to arrive.
1st stop was around 10:30 at a Wawa at the Chester Va. exit maybe a 20 minute stop for fuel, coffee and bathroom. the 2nd stop was somewhere in South Carolina fuel and bathroom( not sure where we were) and did our 1st driver swap.
The wife drove for around 2 hours so I could get a break and we swapped back at the last rest area in Ga. the last stop was off of I-4 in Sanford for breakfast and fuel this was around 8:00, we got to SSR around 10:15 from this point.
All in all the whole trip took us just under the 16 hour mark, I felt we did pretty good and did not have any real issues or traffic problems, now if we can be that lucky Fri Jan 3rd for the return trip, wish us luck. Oh and to all who take this drive just take your time and stop or trade drivers when you feel tired, Disney will still be there eve if you take a nap