Driving to Disney from CT

[The Great Poohdini]

Hi! I have done this drive many times before but this is the first time I will be avoiding I95 until right after DC. Was planning on taking I287S, I78W, I81S, US15S, 495S, I95s. Would like to avoid all the tolls and traffic going through NYC/NJ/Maryland. Most likely will stop in Santee, SC for the evening. Has anyone ever taken this way before and if so any advice?

Thanks

 

[Leigh L]

Hi! I have done this drive many times before but this is the first time I will be avoiding I95 until right after DC. Was planning on taking I287S, I78W, I81S, US15S, 495S, I95s. Would like to avoid all the tolls and traffic going through NYC/NJ/Maryland. Most likely will stop in Santee, SC for the evening. Has anyone ever taken this way before and if so any advice?

Thanks

I live just west of DC and originally from southern NY, and have lost count of how many times I've made this trip

When I leave anywhere past 5:30 a.m., I take the exact route you propose all the time to visit up north (except sometimes we cut across on I-83 if traffic there looks OK since it's quicker) to avoid DC traffic. For me, it adds about 60 miles, but if you're looking to avoid tolls and traffic it's a great option and a prettier ride!

Since you're done it many times, you're already familiar with what you'll find south of DC . I-495 can be terrible (avoiding this highway is THE main reason why I go through PA) and I've always had bad luck between Woodbridge and Quantico/Fredericksburg (although in March, we breezed through for the first time ever). Traffic in DC isn't at pre-pandemic levels yet, but it's starting to get busier each week. DH commutes to just outside downtown once a week and each time it's more traffic.

 

[olive]

I hope you don't mind my asking - We are in CT but haven't done the drive from here yet (though we have from NYC when we lived there). What is your timing usually like on this route?

 

[The Great Poohdini]

I live just west of DC and originally from southern NY, and have lost count of how many times I've made this trip

When I leave anywhere past 5:30 a.m., I take the exact route you propose all the time to visit up north (except sometimes we cut across on I-83 if traffic there looks OK since it's quicker) to avoid DC traffic. For me, it adds about 60 miles, but if you're looking to avoid tolls and traffic it's a great option and a prettier ride!

Since you're done it many times, you're already familiar with what you'll find south of DC . I-495 can be terrible (avoiding this highway is THE main reason why I go through PA) and I've always had bad luck between Woodbridge and Quantico/Fredericksburg (although in March, we breezed through for the first time ever). Traffic in DC isn't at pre-pandemic levels yet, but it's starting to get busier each week. DH commutes to just outside downtown once a week and each time it's more traffic.

Cool thanks. Hoping to pass DC by 11am.

 

[The Great Poohdini]

I hope you don't mind my asking - We are in CT but haven't done the drive from here yet (though we have from NYC when we lived there). What is your timing usually like on this route?

We leave CT around 3-4am. Stop for lunch at NC welcome center on I95. Stop over night because we have two young kids. Overnight stop is usually in Santee, SC or Savannah, GA.

 

[Shannon G]

Depending on where in CT you are leaving from, it may be simpler to take I84 out to I81 in Scranton, PA. We have family who live off I81 in southern VA & that’s the route we take.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Hi! I have done this drive many times before but this is the first time I will be avoiding I95 until right after DC. Was planning on taking I287S, I78W, I81S, US15S, 495S, I95s. Would like to avoid all the tolls and traffic going through NYC/NJ/Maryland. Most likely will stop in Santee, SC for the evening. Has anyone ever taken this way before and if so any advice?

Thanks

only problem that can happen and happens a lot is a semi accident on 81. we live in the area and if you hit one of the accidents 81 can take longer than 95. no way to tell ahead of time. a lot of semi traffic on 81