Driving question- Baltimore to Williamsburg Va

[Ohiodislover]

Going to Williamsburg in a few weeks. We were planning on leaving very early and letting the girls miss school, but my oldest cannot miss in the AM, so we can't leave till around 12-12:30.

How bad will the traffic be around DC, if we hit that area around 1:30- 2 pm on Friday? We really have no other choice-It is what it is, but I would just like to know what to expect.

 

[Tina]

I wouldn't expect it to be that bad so early. If it were summertime, I would expect bad traffic most of the way to Williamsburg, but in October, you should do just fine.

 

[TiggerTails57]

I agree.........but, it's a Friday so it could be bad.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Two ways to avoid both the Washington and Richmond areas.

One is take I-97 South from Baltimore to Exit 7. Pick up US 301 South into Virginia. Pick up US 17 South direct to Williamsburg.

The other is to take I-97 from Baltimore until it ends. Take US 50 East to US 13 South into Virginia. Then take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel to Norfolk and the either I-64 West or US 17 North to Williamsburg.

The US numbered highways are all at least four lane, although they do have occasional traffic lights. I know these routes do work.

 

[agnes!]

I would look at alternate routes, something other than I-95. Cheshire Figment's ideas sound good. I would not want to hit the Washington-Richmond I-95 corridor at 1:30/2:00pm on any Friday, the traffic southbound can be brutal from DC to Fredericksburg.

Make sure you have at least one of those US Highway map-books (if not a MD/VA map), in case you run into traffic you'll be able to get off the main drag and go 'shun-piking' (an old term that refers to avoiding the toll-roads or turnpikes).

agnes!

 

[Christine]

I leave DC every Friday at 2:30 p.m. Now that summer is over, it's pretty much a breeze. It does get a little dicey in the HOV lanes around Springfield, but after you pass the merge, it opens right up. I am LOVING the fall and the easy traffic.

If it was summer, I'd tell you NO WAY. But right now, I think you'll be fine.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Thanks everyone. I printed this so we can look at the alternate routes, or we may just hope for a light day.

I'm just excited that we get to have a 3 day trip to Busch Gardens.