driving route from nj question?

[scottsod]

hi this is my 1st post here although i have lurking for 2 months!!

great info

were driving down this easter for 7 day stay all star movies
leave thursday am before easter
from northern nj 5 min from nyc

i was planing a route that took us to to cape may nj and on to the
cape may ferry to del and then down to to chesapeak bay bridge tunnel
then on over to 95 for the rest of the way
btw were stoping in n.c. at friends for the night who live close to were
we will meet up to 95

just wondering if anyone else has taken this route and has any ideas
from what i read this will skip around the famous dc area 95 delays
plus we can leave nj at a time to get us to the ferry when it departs

thanks
scott

 

[Jamesbyr]

I think the wait for the ferry, plus the relatively slow two-lane road down through Delmarva would negate the possible gains.

I have seen two alternate routes suggested: one goes out I-78 to Harrisburg, down I-81 to Staunton Va, then east to Richmond on I-84. It's about 90 miles longer, but those who have done it swear by it.
The other suggested alternate is US-301 from just south of Wilmington to just south of Fredericksburg.

We've done the drive from NYC several times and never avoided DC. The rule is NEVER get on the Beltway. At Baltimore, use 495 which parallels 95 but has no trucks. In DC, take US 50 (New York Avenue) to where I-395 begins, just north of the Capitol. This will take you past the Pentagon and through Arlington, rejoining 95 when you cross the Beltway for the second time.
Oh, I guess the other rule is Don't try this during the rush hour. Noon should be OK.

Also, allow 10 hours NYC to Fayetteville NC which is half way to Orlando.

 

[kimwim8]

I would also not recommend the Cape May-Lewes ferry. I think it adds time to the trip if you don't time it precisely. If you avoid commuter peak times in DC (morning & after work crowds) you should be fine. The last time I drove, we went down 95 the whole way. Very BORING ride, but direct.

Is flying out of the question? I can't imagine driving anymore, after flying the last few times (2 hours & I'm there!).

 

[Selket]

Just to clarify: 495 is the beltway around Washington, DC and it does have trucks on it. The person mentioning an alternate to I-95 from Baltimore means 295 which is also called the BWI parkway and trucks aren't allowed on it. I live in the DC suburbs and I must say I used to like 295 when we drive up to Bal'more but it seems like there is often a screw-up on it like an accident or road work that makes it much slower than I-95.

I wouldn't suggest taking the 495 beltway around DC because it would really take you out of your way and it is usually just as congested if you hit during a busy time. The traffic radio in the DC area is WTOP 1500 am - very helpful with traffic every 8 minutes. The only times I'd attempt to avoid are rush hours in the morning and evening if you can but detours as others have said might not be worth it for saving time.

 

[dwkwootton]

We just drove down 2 weeks ago and used the recommendation we got here on this board. Below Baltimore we took I-97 to US 301 and rejoined I-95 in Virginia above Richmond. Worked great. I agree with the other posts that the ferry is not a good alternative but you do want to avoid DC unless you can hit it at a very off time like 5 am!

 

[princesspumpkin]

I live in SJ and drive to VA often. I take 295 to the Del. Memorial Bridge then take 13S which goes across the Bay Bridge Tunnel. Then, I suppose, you can pick up 95 from there. From SJ, it takes me almost 5 hours to get to the other side of the BB Tunnel.

 

[sanibelover]

Whatever route you take be prepared ofr a lot of traffic. We went down a couple of years ago for the week after the Easter rush, and the traffic headed north was unbelievalbe!!! (Minivan after Minivan with cartop carriers guess where they were coming from.....) I was glad we were going South!!

We went Ches. Bay Bridge Tunnel and it added a lot of time on to our trip. Unless you just want to experience the tunnel, etc. I wouldn't go that way to make better time.

 

[jel0511]

We've driven several times and have always just stayed on 95 and never had any problems. I guess we're lucky. We leave our house at 3:30AM and always make it though DC with minimal traffic. We are usually well passed DC and pulling off around exit 90 (in VA) for breakfast around 8AM. If you plan accordingly, you'll encounter minimal traffic around DC and not have to take detours to avoid it. If you're from NJ, you're used to the crazy traffic and it will feel like any day here. Especially if you're from North NJ and used to 4 and 17, 95 thorugh DC will feel like a walk in the park.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

First, welcome to the DIS, Scottsod.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel will bring you into VA Beach. Depending on the time of day, the Tidewater area (collective name for Norfolk, VA Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and other cities in the area) can have pretty rough traffic. I would advise against taking I-264 through Norfolk and Portsmouth, and instead take I-64 to get to the western side of the area so you can pick up US 58, which will take you from Chesapeake through Suffolk, Franklin, and over to I-95 near Emporia. US 58 is not an interstate-type highway the entire way, so be wary about that if that matters.

Someone mentioned taking I-81 south to I-64 toward Richmond and picking up I-95 there. I-81 does get quite a bit of truck traffic but you do avoid all the big metro areas like DC and Baltimore. I-64 also has nice scenic overlooks once you come east of Afton Mountain and Waynesboro. When you reach Richmond, I'd recommend taking Route 288, which goes around Richmond from the west to the south. It's a brand new highway, so not too many of the exits are built up yet. If you need food or gas, US 360 / Hull Street or Iron Bridge Road are your best bets.

 

[jehma]

one goes out I-78 to Harrisburg, down I-81 to Staunton Va, then east to Richmond on I-84.

We live very close to 78 in NJ, so we go west on 78 and down 81, but we don't come east until farther south. I'll have to go look it up. I-77 and I-26 sound familiar.