For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

[buzz5985]

I am interested in hearing from people that have driven from Massachusetts using 81. What time do you leave, where you stay if you stop for the night.

We are considering that route because of the beach traffic we hit several years ago going down and on the way back. That Northern Virginia traffic drives me MAD!!!! We did the Route 1 alternative by accident - we saw a Dunkin'Donuts sign. LOL

We normally drive to Fayettesville, NC if we go 95. We were thinking of trying to get to Charlotte going 81. Does anyone think that is unreasonable?? Any advice would be great.

Janis

 

[dvczerfs]

I am interested in hearing from people that have driven from Massachusetts using 81. What time do you leave, where you stay if you stop for the night.

We are considering that route because of the beach traffic we hit several years ago going down and on the way back. That Northern Virginia traffic drives me MAD!!!! We did the Route 1 alternative by accident - we saw a Dunkin'Donuts sign. LOL

We normally drive to Fayettesville, NC if we go 95. We were thinking of trying to get to Charlotte going 81. Does anyone think that is unreasonable?? Any advice would be great.

Janis

hi buzz5985 , till someonr from mass. that has gone that way logs on, page 210 , post 3143, you can start there to gove you an idea. goofygirl and myself just got done talking about this route and times.

 

[amcnj]

Hi. When travelling early morning through the DC area (5-6am) has anyone ever taken 295 rather than 95? Is there much difference between these routes at this time of day? I have always taken 95, but was wondering about 295.

Thanks.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Hi. When travelling early morning through the DC area (5-6am) has anyone ever taken 295 rather than 95? Is there much difference between these routes at this time of day? I have always taken 95, but was wondering about 295.

Thanks.

I'm interested in this as well.

We will be leaving (just north of Philly) in a few weeks at 8am on a Saturday to drive down to Lorton, VA to take the AutoTrain (MUST be there by 2pm) and can't decide if 95 or 295 would be better.

 

[angelat]

We leave this Saturday from IL. first time going to Disney!

Have a great trip!!!

Safe travels!

 

[Becky2005]

Hi-We're leaving from Huntley this Saturday and planning on taking I65 down to Goodlettsville, Tn and staying the nite there.

Have fun! We just came back Sunday, however, we took the IL57 way.

I recently heard through Alabama is faster? I have never heard that one before so may have to check into it for another time. I did like taking the Briley Parkway around Nashville and from what I understand you can get it from I-24 or I-65. That was really nice.

 

[Goofygirl17]

Just had another thought (which could be scary )

If we're taking the inland route from CT to Orlando... do we still need to leave around 3:30-4:00 a.m.?

If we leave at 3 would the 95 route be okay?

If we go inland route do I need my EZ Pass? (will bring it just in case we go home 95)

 

[dvczerfs]

Just had another thought (which could be scary )

If we're taking the inland route from CT to Orlando... do we still need to leave around 3:30-4:00 a.m.?

If we leave at 3 would the 95 route be okay?

If we go inland route do I need my EZ Pass? (will bring it just in case we go home 95)

im not sure what tolls there are before this point but there is a on i78 when you cross into pa from nj. after that, you are toll free. i would still bring it, it dont take up much room. i forget what day of the week your leaving but if its a sat., during the summer, your taking your chances on i95. trust me.

 

[Goofygirl17]

We're leaving a week from tomorrow- so Saturday. I just got a triptik from AAA for the inland route. It says 19 hours and something minutes

So... do I still need to leave CT around 3 or 4? Will there be increasing traffic on this route as the day goes on?


Thanks so much!

 

[dvczerfs]

We're leaving a week from tomorrow- so Saturday. I just got a triptik from AAA for the inland route. It says 19 hours and something minutes

So... do I still need to leave CT around 3 or 4? Will there be increasing traffic on this route as the day goes on?


Thanks so much!

the earlier the better. youll be fine leaving around 3:30am, no later. the faster you get inland the better. the longer you wait, the more people that are up and moving around.

 

[Goofygirl17]

All right. Next Saturday we're out of here at 3:30 Better get the car all packed Friday!

 

[dvczerfs]

All right. Next Saturday we're out of here at 3:30 Better get the car all packed Friday!

have a good trip!!! dont worry, 3:30 sounds early but i never seem to have a hard time waking up early to go to wdw.

 

[gonzalj1]

What town, State is the rt 78 rt 33 interchange. Maybe I can figure it out that way.

I believe that's Easton, PA.

 

[sharadoc]

I'm interested in this as well.

We will be leaving (just north of Philly) in a few weeks at 8am on a Saturday to drive down to Lorton, VA to take the AutoTrain (MUST be there by 2pm) and can't decide if 95 or 295 would be better.

That will put you in DC around 11 am on Saturday, which is bumper to bumper traffic until about 5 pm. Please consider leaving no later than 6 am or you risk missing your train.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

We're leaving a week from tomorrow- so Saturday. I just got a triptik from AAA for the inland route. It says 19 hours and something minutes

So... do I still need to leave CT around 3 or 4? Will there be increasing traffic on this route as the day goes on?


Thanks so much!

If you are going the inland route you should be fine. I am not sure how far up in CT you live, however as long as you get past NYC early morning and don't get on the Garden State Parkway in NJ you should be fine. The Parkway is a problem because of beach traffic. We have driven the inland route many times on varying days of the week (we live west of NYC, so that isn't an issue for us) and don't have any problems except rush hour around Charlotte, but you are driving on the weekend which is great. Good luck and have a safe trip!

 

[Goofygirl17]

I believe that's Easton, PA.

Thanks! I have a friend who lives in CT but gets off that exit to head to her hometown. She said it's about 3- 3 1/2 hours to get there.

If you are going the inland route you should be fine. I am not sure how far up in CT you live, however as long as you get past NYC early morning and don't get on the Garden State Parkway in NJ you should be fine. The Parkway is a problem because of beach traffic. We have driven the inland route many times on varying days of the week (we live west of NYC, so that isn't an issue for us) and don't have any problems except rush hour around Charlotte, but you are driving on the weekend which is great. Good luck and have a safe trip!

This is our route:


95 S
Exit 21 to Tappan Zee bridge/white plains
merge onto 287 West
Exit 15 onto 287
Exit 21B onto 78 West
Merge onto 81 south
Exit 81 merge onto 77 south
keep left at fork- 26 east
exit 169A onto 95 south

So no GSP right? I don't know the route number of GSP. We're about 30 min north of New Haven so we should be through NY pretty early.

Thanks!

 

[Minniemouse07]

That will put you in DC around 11 am on Saturday, which is bumper to bumper traffic until about 5 pm. Please consider leaving no later than 6 am or you risk missing your train.

Really? I tracked the traffic all morning today (on Google Maps app w/ traffic overlay) and all of 95 between Philly and Lorton was green and totally clear.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Thanks! I have a friend who lives in CT but gets off that exit to head to her hometown. She said it's about 3- 3 1/2 hours to get there.



This is our route:


95 S
Exit 21 to Tappan Zee bridge/white plains
merge onto 287 West
Exit 15 onto 287
Exit 21B onto 78 West
Merge onto 81 south
Exit 81 merge onto 77 south
keep left at fork- 26 east
exit 169A onto 95 south

So no GSP right? I don't know the route number of GSP. We're about 30 min north of New Haven so we should be through NY pretty early.

Thanks!

That's the "inland" route we all talk about. You aren't on the GSP and shouldn't hit any shore traffic in NJ. Unless something unexpected occurs like an accident you should be in good shape and not hit traffic!

 

[dvczerfs]

Thanks! I have a friend who lives in CT but gets off that exit to head to her hometown. She said it's about 3- 3 1/2 hours to get there.



This is our route:


95 S
Exit 21 to Tappan Zee bridge/white plains
merge onto 287 West
Exit 15 onto 287
Exit 21B onto 78 West
Merge onto 81 south
Exit 81 merge onto 77 south
keep left at fork- 26 east
exit 169A onto 95 south

So no GSP right? I don't know the route number of GSP. We're about 30 min north of New Haven so we should be through NY pretty early.

Thanks!

dont forget when you cross into pa on i78 , the second exit (rt33 stroudsburg) to wave to your right next sat., ill be at work.

 

[sharadoc]

Really? I tracked the traffic all morning today (on Google Maps app w/ traffic overlay) and all of 95 between Philly and Lorton was green and totally clear.

Interesting. Did you continue to check from 11 on? We have experienced Saturdays in summer 3 different times and have always found it to be busy by 10 or 11, and it gets increasingly worse.

Your choice, of course, but I have never heard anyone say it was good after 11 at DC.