Driving from Southern NJ...How's Rt. 301 vs. I-95?

[Mark P.]

Hi,
Has anyone taken Rt. 301? (picks up in Delaware)

Our plan as it is now, is to leave home around 4:30am (hopefully avoid the DC rush), and take I-95 the whole way, but would appreciate any comments on Rt. 301 as an alternate.

Rt. 301 bypasses both Baltimore & DC altogether, and meets up with I-95 before Richmond, Va.
Sounds nice, but would I-95 be the quickest route? Or are they both about the same?
(We're about 45 mins. from both I-95 & 301, so getting on either is no problem)

Also, is Rt. 301 a dual lane, and how many tolls?


Thanks,
Mark

 

[Straughn]

Mark:

As a Delaware native now living in Virginia, I can tell you that 301 can take a lot of extra time. As it winds it way through the various villages and hamlets of Delaware and Maryland, you will encounter lots of poorly timed stoplights and local traffic. It is also mostly 2 lanes in each direction compared to I-95 which is three or four. Granted, if there is a problem on I-95, it may be the best option, but I wouldn't chose 301 over 95 unless I knew in advance that there was a problem. No tolls that I know of.

 

[OKW91]

We are in Tampa at the present time, just drove down from Marlton on Sunday. We took 301 to the Annapolis Bridge then took Rt50 to 495 in DC, then on to 95. This saves the Baltimore and good part of the DC traffic mess, I tried 301 one time to Richmond and I would not do it again! It is too time consumming! Hope this is some help to you, have a great trip no matter which way you go.

 

[JudithM]

We've taken 301 from Delaware to the Annapolis area many times & find it much easier on the nerves than I95 . We almost always use 301 from US 50 in Bowie, MD through Southern Maryland & over the Potomac River Bridge into VA. Granted we cannot go as fast as we could on I95, but it sure beats the Washington International Speedway (the Beltway) & the Springfield Mixing bowl .