Early Morning Drive...HELP/ADVICE!! Needed. (D.C.Area)

[gdrj]

Ok Let me start out by saying we live here in the tri-state area ( northern NJ ) so we're no strangers to traffic.

*We've also done the drive down to WDW, twice, both times leaving at around 4-4:30 p.m. and driving straight through ( only stopping for gas/food/toilet breaks ). Arriving roughly around noon the next morning. With relative ease, and minimal traffic.

This year we're planning the drive again, but leaving on a Friday morning instead. Roughly around 3:00 a.m. But instead of driving straight through, we'll be stopping somewhere around Ga/S.C. border.
My question is this:
I know it's roughly 4 hrs. from North NJ to Wash. DC ( give or take ) will this put us in horrible traffic in and around the city. In other words, when does the morning commute really start getting bad. I'd like to avoid this, but don't want to leave any sooner if I don't need to. Also are there any construction concerns that I have to be aware of? T.I.A. DizDad

Former NJ/NJ now VA/DC area resident.

No way to avoid all traffic but I think if you leave at 3 and move with a purpose you will be OK. Once in DC area listen to 103.5 for traffic reports, on the 8's (for any major accidents etc, most of won't mean anything to you). I personally always stayed on the MD side (East of DC) to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Once you get over the bridge you should be good (some traffic right in that area). Also I would fill gas at bottom of Jersey and wait until Fredericksburg VA or further South to get gas. You dont want to stop in MD or closer to DC (prices, plus commuter traffic- no easy on and off). Also VA does a decent job with the 511 traffic reports on your phone. The Waze app works real well just drains your cell battery.

In case you are thinking later start (which doesn't sound like you are). If you are not South of DC by 1 PM (2 PM possibly) you will be dead in the water on a Friday.

 

[ParrotBill]

And I'm happy I ordered the Florida Sun Pass on line. Now I can use the "no stopping" lanes on the I-4 by-pass I'll be taking to avoid the construction.

.

Yay for Sunpass. I got mine a few years ago because I was driving in the Miami area where there are no toll collectors. Saves at least 5 minutes for not having to pull into the FL 417 toll plazas. And it saves money on the tolls too.

 

[DizDaD7]

We live in Nothern NJ, Bergen county, we have driven a few times to WDW. The best ride was when we left at around 3-3:30am. and took 95 the whole way. We had no problem in the DC area, which we got to by around 6:30. The traffic seemed to be heavier going in the opposite direction. We stayed overnight at Savannah and made it there by 5pm. The next morning it was approx. 4 hours to WDW. If we ever drove again (we fly now), I would do this same time. By noon, you have around 9 hours of the drive over.

LoL, How Fast where you going???

I live in Bergen county, and I drove at a pretty decent rate, and I know it usually takes around 2 1/2 - 3 hours to get outta Jersey, then roughly another 1 1/2 or so to D.C.
I was guessing if I left at 3 am, that I'd be passin DC at around 7:30 or so. maybe a smidge earlier..

 

[DizDaD7]

Former NJ/NJ now VA/DC area resident.

No way to avoid all traffic but I think if you leave at 3 and move with a purpose you will be OK. Once in DC area listen to 103.5 for traffic reports, on the 8's (for any major accidents etc, most of won't mean anything to you). I personally always stayed on the MD side (East of DC) to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Once you get over the bridge you should be good (some traffic right in that area). Also I would fill gas at bottom of Jersey and wait until Fredericksburg VA or further South to get gas. You dont want to stop in MD or closer to DC (prices, plus commuter traffic- no easy on and off). Also VA does a decent job with the 511 traffic reports on your phone. The Waze app works real well just drains your cell battery.

In case you are thinking later start (which doesn't sound like you are). If you are not South of DC by 1 PM (2 PM possibly) you will be dead in the water on a Friday.

Yea I have that App, I actually like it, as it is pretty spot on..

Probably just going to head out at or around 2, I think & I'm sure we should be ok.... We'll see as time gets closer..