DRIVING RT 95 OVER JULY 4th WEEKEND. ADVICE NEEDED!!

[HeatherC]

Hi There! Didn't want to "hijack" the 2,000 mile plus thread so I thought I'd ask on a separate thread.

We are heading from Massachusetts to Hilton Head, SC in July. Unfortunately, we have to leave July 4th weekend.

Wondering how bad traffic will be on 95 south on that Saturday...the 3rd?

Right now we are planning to leave around 2 am from Massachusetts and drive straight through.

Do you think 95 will be backed up due to the holiday?

It's supposed to take around 17 hours. Realistically, I'm thinking it will be longer and wonder if I should break it up into a 2 day trip.

But...that beach will be waiting for me and I don't want the trip to take any longer than it has too.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Pixiedust34]

The Baltimore/DC stretch of your ride could have heavy traffic on a holiday weekend. Prepare for extra time for that.

 

[Missytara]

The Baltimore/DC stretch of your ride could have heavy traffic on a holiday weekend. Prepare for extra time for that.

Expect massive delays around the Bay Bridge. You could be sitting there for hours. Many people in MD/DC area own summer places in DE.

The other alternative is to drive through DE and take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. However, you will have people coming from Dover through Wilmington, NJ, and PA, down to the beaches as well. It isn't odd to sit on Rt. 1 for hours as well.

Since July 4th is on a Sunday, Monday the 5th is a state and federal holiday...... so I would suspect a great deal of people from the DE/MD/DC area will head to the beaches on Saturday, the 3rd. They will most likely either take advantage of the three day weekend or take the whole entire week off due to a four day work week.

You could encounter a lot of traffic through NC as well for the Outer Banks folks, etc.

Good luck!

 

[solotraveler]

Expect massive delays around the Bay Bridge. You could be sitting there for hours. Many people in MD/DC area own summer places in DE.

The other alternative is to drive through DE and take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. However, you will have people coming from Dover through Wilmington, NJ, and PA, down to the beaches as well. It isn't odd to sit on Rt. 1 for hours as well.

Since July 4th is on a Sunday, Monday the 5th is a state and federal holiday...... so I would suspect a great deal of people from the DE/MD/DC area will head to the beaches on Saturday, the 3rd. They will most likely either take advantage of the three day weekend or take the whole entire week off due to a four day work week.

You could encounter a lot of traffic through NC as well for the Outer Banks folks, etc.

Good luck!

If the OP sticks to 95, then they won't be anywhere near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. (And thank goodness for THAT!)

I honestly don't think it'll be too bad, honestly. MANY people that work in the DC metro area take long weekends in the summer, so it wouldn't surprise me if Thursday and Friday handle the great bulk of the holiday traffic in the area.

I honestly think the worst traffic you'll find will be on 95 just south of DC in Virginia. That section towards Fredricksburg is just never not busy. You may run into some tight traffic between the Delaware line and Maryland House, but unless there is an accident, I think you'll be OK. Just pack a little extra patience.

 

[uva185]

You're screwed!

The beltway will be a disaster with the locals making their way to US-50 toward the Bay Bridge. Most beach places in MD and DE rent Saturday to Saturday so the roads will be packed!!

I-95 South will be no better. If I were you I would either avoid I-95 completely or leave MA at 8pm on Friday to as to avoid all the holiday traffic.

 

[Renysmom]

I am from NVA and now live in Richmond. I commuted 95 for two years 5 days a week day in and day out and with what I know and have seen on July 4th weekend you can fully expect this stretch of 95 (DC-Richmond) for the entire 100 miles to be a nightmare. Worst areas are Springfield, Woodbridge, Dumfries, Fredericksburg and Ashland.

You may want to look at a map and get on 301 South/East in Maryland and take that all the way to Richmond VA. It will be a 2 lane road most of the way but it will be the best way to avoid 95 from DC to Richmond which is the worst part of 95 anywhere on the East Coast according to AAA. You will keep moving and actually the drive is a little less boring than 95

If there is one accident on 95 southbound during this stretch you are looking at adding anywhere from 1-3 hours to your drive.

Now if you can time your drive to pass that area between 1:00 - 4:00 am you are looking at another story all together. At this time of night/morning it should be smooth sailing. Good luck

 

[mikehn]

You're screwed!

I second that. I95 southbound between DC and Richmond is the most congested corridor in the country, 365 days a year. Have fun.

 

[sharadoc]

Hi There! Didn't want to "hijack" the 2,000 mile plus thread so I thought I'd ask on a separate thread.

We are heading from Massachusetts to Hilton Head, SC in July. Unfortunately, we have to leave July 4th weekend.

Wondering how bad traffic will be on 95 south on that Saturday...the 3rd?

Right now we are planning to leave around 2 am from Massachusetts and drive straight through.

Do you think 95 will be backed up due to the holiday?

It's supposed to take around 17 hours. Realistically, I'm thinking it will be longer and wonder if I should break it up into a 2 day trip.

But...that beach will be waiting for me and I don't want the trip to take any longer than it has too.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Virginia will be a mess!

BTW, this wouldn't be a "hijack" on the 2000+ thread IF you were going to Disney World!!! Questions about the route are always welcome

 

[Sadie22]

I am from NVA and now live in Richmond. I commuted 95 for two years 5 days a week day in and day out and with what I know and have seen on July 4th weekend you can fully expect this stretch of 95 (DC-Richmond) for the entire 100 miles to be a nightmare. Worst areas are Springfield, Woodbridge, Dumfries, Fredericksburg and Ashland.

You may want to look at a map and get on 301 South/East in Maryland and take that all the way to Richmond VA. It will be a 2 lane road most of the way but it will be the best way to avoid 95 from DC to Richmond which is the worst part of 95 anywhere on the East Coast according to AAA. You will keep moving and actually the drive is a little less boring than 95

If there is one accident on 95 southbound during this stretch you are looking at adding anywhere from 1-3 hours to your drive.

Now if you can time your drive to pass that area between 1:00 - 4:00 am you are looking at another story all together. At this time of night/morning it should be smooth sailing. Good luck

Route 301 South is a good idea if you can stand the traffic lights, but it is the route we often take to Richmond and points south. That weekend will feature heavy traffic everywhere, however.

 

[HeatherC]

Thanks everyone! Yep....I know we're screwed!

I think I've convinced my dh to take a different route.

I'm thinking:

Route 84 (CT) to 684 to 287 over the Tappan Zee to 287 all the way to 78w to 81 south to 77 to 64E towards Richmond.

Anyone ever try this route? Advice?

We are thinking we will leave our house (right near 84 in Mass.) at 2am.

What do you think? Other routes I should look at? I'm having a very hard time trying to map this on mapquest or google maps.

Thanks so much!!! It is really appreciated!!!

 

[DickGeorge]

We drive from DC to CT. The scenic route is US83 from MD, to US81 in PA, to US 84 in NY and CT. there's little traffic. It's a little longer but so much more pleasant.

 

[francie57]

We have done your alternate route to get to Charlotte from CT. We didn't have any trouble and the speed limits in a lot of areas is higher than the 65 around here. Leaving that early you should be find getting through CT and be ahead of traffic. Even if this route adds time to the trip, do whatever you can to avoid 95. It seems to be a mess at all times of the day.

 

[cranbiz]

Holy thread bump batman! This is only a 4 1/2 year old thread.