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

[Minniemouse07]

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.

I watched it from about 10:45 through 1:30ish.

The traffic from Philly to DC was totally green all the way down 95 (and 295) and the loop around DC was the same.

A bit after 12 a few yellow areas popped up and one small red spot appeared on the lower portion between 95 and the Potomac.

I'm going to monitor it next weekend too to see if there is any change.

My dh works with someone who lives in Lorton (at their DC office) so we will be getting some input from him as well.

FWIW, I rely on the Google Maps App w/ the traffic overlay every day for my commute home and find it VERY reliable...so I'm not worried about it reporting incorrect info.

 

[Riverhill]

My DH will be working 16 hours a day up until the day we leave. I am in charge of getting our MiniVan in travel shape. Other than changing the oil and rotating the tires what else should I do to the vehicle to get it ready for the 2400 mile trek to and from WDW. It is a 2008 Uplander with about 70,000 miles.

 

[Disneyholic]

I watched it from about 10:45 through 1:30ish.

The traffic from Philly to DC was totally green all the way down 95 (and 295) and the loop around DC was the same.

A bit after 12 a few yellow areas popped up and one small red spot appeared on the lower portion between 95 and the Potomac.

I'm going to monitor it next weekend too to see if there is any change.

My dh works with someone who lives in Lorton (at their DC office) so we will be getting some input from him as well.

FWIW, I rely on the Google Maps App w/ the traffic overlay every day for my commute home and find it VERY reliable...so I'm not worried about it reporting incorrect info.

A little input from me here. The first time we took the Autotrain we had not problems. That time we took the turnpike from the Lehigh Valley to 95. The second time we took DS girlfriend and between her not being ready when we got there and then because of that forgetting to fill up gas tank before heading out, and then half an hour from home realizing that Formal Wear for V&A's was still hanging in laundry room and going back for it (If I ever do that again I will either have it shipped if there is time or get something in Florida) we ended up in major traffic about an hour out from Lorton. We originally planned to leave at 7 am which should have gotten us to Lorton around noon, but with all the messups, plus having to try and find a gas station in Baltimore, we almost didn't make it there by 2.

Now we err on the side of getting there at least 2 hours early. If you are early you can find things to occupy your time. If you are running late because of traffic, accidents or construction, you run the chance of missing the train and the stress that goes with it.

You can't always go by what the traffic cams show from day to day, because things can change from day to day or in a matter of minutes.

 

[nono]

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.

I'd give yourself a bit more cushion. If you are going in later August, I've gotten in tie-ups all along I-95 with folks taking kids back to school combined with end-of-summer vacationers making one last trek somewhere!

So, if you left somewhere like Levittown, PA at 7:30, with one potty stop, you'd arrive at Lorton, VA at 10:45ish in a perfect world. My biggest concern would be getting close to Lorton and then relaxing. There's a cineplex at Woodbridge, VA, which is just about 5 miles past Lorton. If everything goes smoothly, you could catch a movie near to the train station and still make boarding (Can you tell I've had this plan before? ). And, if you do encounter problems along the way, you'll have enough time to still make the train.

 

[pwdebbie]

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.

We hit DC around 1:00 p.m. on the last Sunday in October, 2010, and it was terrible. We liked 95 better than the inland route but will pick it up further south for the next trip to avoid DC.

 

[ksc37]

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.

I was actually on 95 yesterday (Saturday) morning for a trip to see friends in Bethesda, MD. We left Collegeville, Pa at 8:50, and hit the DC beltway at 11:10. We went West on the beltway, so we can't speak for the eastern loop, but 95 south between Wilmington and the beltway was smooth sailing (as was the western beltway at that time). Coming home this evening, however, was a different story. I was just glad I wasn't at the end of my trip back from WDW in a few weeks!

An accident can add an hour or more to your trip, so you'll probably want to have some padding.

 

[disneymarie]

My DH will be working 16 hours a day up until the day we leave. I am in charge of getting our MiniVan in travel shape. Other than changing the oil and rotating the tires what else should I do to the vehicle to get it ready for the 2400 mile trek to and from WDW. It is a 2008 Uplander with about 70,000 miles.

Even a brand new car can have a break down, have an auto club membership. Family had these issues twice with vehicles with less then 5,000 miles on them. On a Buick....elderly family, and the other a Honda...

That being said. Get the spare out and check it, you would not want it flat or have one of the those mini spares, you need a full size. I would check the manual for when the timing, and service is to be done. Is it 100,000 maybe someone can check the belt for wear.

I would also have the exhaust, fluids as power steering, breaks checked. Look at the break pads for wear.
Look where you park the car for fluids, take a container of paper towels, windex, not the wipes....a pack with trash bags, I take baby wipes, got more bang to clean up with, especially after gas full ups and ready to snack.

Have the date on the battery and tires checked...there is expirations or ages on them. Not sure where on the tires, but it was on dateline or similar program. If you are taking DVD players, elec cooler GPS, I would see what fuses you will need. Have a spare tail light bulb, brake light bulb. Make sure battery terminals are clean.

Make sure the headlights, marker and turn signals work....turn on the high beams, and step on the brakes. Have all the paperwork for warrenties for tires in the car. Our SAMs has a policy and if you have a need in route, road hazard will replace.

Keep a spare windshield washer fluid in the car....Duct tape? we had trim come loose one trip and needed to patch until we could repair. Take a small tool box, pliers, screwdrivers, wrench...just in case. Jumper cables, flare or road hazard plackards. First Aid Kit from SAMS.

I travel a lot, last trip 2,5 hrs away I had two accidents witnessed and needed to stop. For my work I carry a florescent vest and it come in handy if you have to be near the roadway in a break down or accident.

Update your GPS maps, carry paper maps, AAA book of hotels, I print the I-95 exits list somewhere on this forum for nearest ammenities at each exit along the way...Will keep them in the binder.

I am lucky that ds is mechanically endowed, but lacks time to get a lot done. The tranny has to have work before we leave....new brakes, and the timing belt changes and service done... or we will not be taking the Odyseey, it will be my Passat.......

 

[Marc A.]

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.

Did you run into construction on 24 or any problems on the way down??

Leaving in 8 days

 

[Becky2005]

Did you run into construction on 24 or any problems on the way down??

Leaving in 8 days

No, there were construction zones but no work was going on so everything went smoothly. A little slowed down in the areas but nothing to cause any issues.

 

[Minniemouse07]

A little input from me here. The first time we took the Autotrain we had not problems. That time we took the turnpike from the Lehigh Valley to 95. The second time we took DS girlfriend and between her not being ready when we got there and then because of that forgetting to fill up gas tank before heading out, and then half an hour from home realizing that Formal Wear for V&A's was still hanging in laundry room and going back for it (If I ever do that again I will either have it shipped if there is time or get something in Florida) we ended up in major traffic about an hour out from Lorton. We originally planned to leave at 7 am which should have gotten us to Lorton around noon, but with all the messups, plus having to try and find a gas station in Baltimore, we almost didn't make it there by 2.

Now we err on the side of getting there at least 2 hours early. If you are early you can find things to occupy your time. If you are running late because of traffic, accidents or construction, you run the chance of missing the train and the stress that goes with it.

You can't always go by what the traffic cams show from day to day, because things can change from day to day or in a matter of minutes.

I'd give yourself a bit more cushion. If you are going in later August, I've gotten in tie-ups all along I-95 with folks taking kids back to school combined with end-of-summer vacationers making one last trek somewhere!

So, if you left somewhere like Levittown, PA at 7:30, with one potty stop, you'd arrive at Lorton, VA at 10:45ish in a perfect world. My biggest concern would be getting close to Lorton and then relaxing. There's a cineplex at Woodbridge, VA, which is just about 5 miles past Lorton. If everything goes smoothly, you could catch a movie near to the train station and still make boarding (Can you tell I've had this plan before? ). And, if you do encounter problems along the way, you'll have enough time to still make the train.

We hit DC around 1:00 p.m. on the last Sunday in October, 2010, and it was terrible. We liked 95 better than the inland route but will pick it up further south for the next trip to avoid DC.

I was actually on 95 yesterday (Saturday) morning for a trip to see friends in Bethesda, MD. We left Collegeville, Pa at 8:50, and hit the DC beltway at 11:10. We went West on the beltway, so we can't speak for the eastern loop, but 95 south between Wilmington and the beltway was smooth sailing (as was the western beltway at that time). Coming home this evening, however, was a different story. I was just glad I wasn't at the end of my trip back from WDW in a few weeks!

An accident can add an hour or more to your trip, so you'll probably want to have some padding.

According to Google Maps & MapQuest our trip is predicted to take 3hrs, 22min (They say 3h19m if we skip 95 all the way and bump over to 295 from Baltimore to DC).

If we leave the house (really leave the house, not have a goal of leaving) by 8am that would put us in Lorton at 11:30am...a full 2.5 hours before the 2pm deadline.

Do you all still think we need to leave earlier than 8am?

 

[sharadoc]

According to Google Maps & MapQuest our trip is predicted to take 3hrs, 22min (They say 3h19m if we skip 95 all the way and bump over to 295 from Baltimore to DC).

If we leave the house (really leave the house, not have a goal of leaving) by 8am that would put us in Lorton at 11:30am...a full 2.5 hours before the 2pm deadline.

Do you all still think we need to leave earlier than 8am?

Will you stay on 95 past Washington? That's where the traffic gets bad, south of Washington all through Virginia. Everyone is going to Virginia beaches and N Carolina beaches for their Saturday one week beach house rentals.

Keep and eye on your route past Washington just to see what the traffic is like. I have used Beatthetraffic.com that was very up-to-the-minute with traffic backups.

I think most of us who have gotten stuck in traffic always advice leaving earlier and leaving a 1 to 2 hour cushion to make sure you get there on time. That's why you're seeing a lot of advice in that direction, usually it's from experience

 

[Minniemouse07]

Will you stay on 95 past Washington? That's where the traffic gets bad, south of Washington all through Virginia. Everyone is going to Virginia beaches and N Carolina beaches for their Saturday one week beach house rentals.

Keep and eye on your route past Washington just to see what the traffic is like. I have used Beatthetraffic.com that was very up-to-the-minute with traffic backups.

I think most of us who have gotten stuck in traffic always advice leaving earlier and leaving a 1 to 2 hour cushion to make sure you get there on time. That's why you're seeing a lot of advice in that direction, usually it's from experience

Lorton looks to be about 7 miles south of the loop on 95.

So a 2.5 hour cushion should be okay then!

 

[angelat]

Hi All!
Well, we'll be on the road in about 100 hours.
I have one last question...DH has expressed an interest in stopping at South of the Border during the trip down or the trip back. With the timing of the trip down, I believe it'll be closed. So...we'll take the 81-77-26-95 route on the way to WDW. That leaves us with stopping at SOB on the way home. We'll probably leave around 10 am on Saturday the 13th. This will allow us ample time to get to SOB during operating hours. Does anyone have a preferred route to avoid the metro areas when traveling home but remaining on 95 into SC/NC?
Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[dvczerfs]

Hi All!
Well, we'll be on the road in about 100 hours.
I have one last question...DH has expressed an interest in stopping at South of the Border during the trip down or the trip back. With the timing of the trip down, I believe it'll be closed. So...we'll take the 81-77-26-95 route on the way to WDW. That leaves us with stopping at SOB on the way home. We'll probably leave around 10 am on Saturday the 13th. This will allow us ample time to get to SOB during operating hours. Does anyone have a preferred route to avoid the metro areas when traveling home but remaining on 95 into SC/NC?
Any help would be much appreciated.

yup, take 26,77,81. from wdw to sob is about 7 hours. i get off exit 133 in vir. (just north of richmond) and take 17 to i66 to i81. you may hit traffic coming up 95. richmond area is always a mess to exit 133. if you want to look at a map and if your intrested, i can give you more details.

 

[angelat]

yup, take 26,77,81. from wdw to sob is about 7 hours. i get off exit 133 in vir. (just north of richmond) and take 17 to i66 to i81. you may hit traffic coming up 95. richmond area is always a mess to exit 133. if you want to look at a map and if your intrested, i can give you more details.

Wow! I had to enlarge the Google Map a bunch to see that Highway 17! But I found it! I remember you mentioning that way in an earlier post. How are these two roads (17 and 66)? Are they smaller highways with lower speed limits? Less likely to have traffic? Not only am I hoping to miss some traffic, I'm also trying to avoid the tolls.

As always...you're help is very much appreciated!

 

[SFD998]

Just got back this a.m. I left the parking lot of the Wilderness Lodge at 9:23 a.m. on Sunday and got back at 4:15 a.m. today. This was one of our fastest trips, but we also didn't stop and eat. We just grabbed the food and kept going. It was 1190 miles one way. When I left yesterday I wasn't sure if I was going straight thru or not, but we were making good time and I was feeling good so we kept going. Having done the straight thru drive several times in the past and can say that I am surprised at myself for doing it again, because I personally hate it!

However, since this trip was originally not supposed to be to WDW I wasn't looking to add any more time or money (extra hotel night) by stopping again. The trip originally was to HHI only which round trip is about 1800 miles. As the time passed at HHI we decided we were too close not to go to WDW as well. We called for DVC room availability and when they had it the deal was sealed. We spent 4 nights at WDW. Personally not enough time, but when it is an added trip it will do.

I saw a pp mention 26, 77, 81 and although I have used that route (actually this past April) I stuck with straight up 95. We didn't hit any traffic until Virginia. Once there we got stuck in construction lane closures for about 5 minutes and the residual traffic from an earlier accident. All told less than 20 minutes lost time. Probably the best we have ever had. The rest was smooth sailing.

The next planned drive was going to be April again, but we managed to find airfare that was only just over what it costs to drive. Sorry, but I'll take that any day.

 

[Elmo T]

I'm going to monitor it next weekend too to see if there is any change.

My dh works with someone who lives in Lorton (at their DC office) so we will be getting some input from him as well.

We've made the trip through DC many times and it can be very random. I've caught the beltway at rush hour and sailed through. We also hit the 95 bridge at 3AM were stationary for a full 45 minutes.

We are giving serious consideration to taking the I-81 route - even though it looks a bit out of the way. The current plan is to leave around 2AM. The last two drives, our first stop was around Richmond at a Wawa of 95.

 

[dvczerfs]

Wow! I had to enlarge the Google Map a bunch to see that Highway 17! But I found it! I remember you mentioning that way in an earlier post. How are these two roads (17 and 66)? Are they smaller highways with lower speed limits? Less likely to have traffic? Not only am I hoping to miss some traffic, I'm also trying to avoid the tolls.

As always...you're help is very much appreciated!

17 is a four lane road. most of it is 55mph. there are stop lights. no tolls. i66 is an interstate. four lanes 70 mph plus. there are no tolls. 17 will take you through opal, warrenton etc... plenty of places to eat,get gas. once you hit warrenton, you are 4 hours from home. we take this way alot when we go "off season" time. when you hit hit exit 133 off i95, on the exit ramp, there are two exits, one is business the other is just 17 north. dont take business, just the reg 17 north. dont panic if you take the wrong exit, just go to the first light and make a u turn. business takes you the wrong direction. other than that, just keep your eyes open, follow the 17 north signs. its well marked. there are three turns but they are well marked. its very easy.

 

[cruisingkat]

Did you run into construction on 24 or any problems on the way down??

Leaving in 8 days

No, there were construction zones but no work was going on so everything went smoothly. A little slowed down in the areas but nothing to cause any issues.

When we were coming home earlier in July, we noticed that in TN the construction zone signs said lane shifts, closures in the evening. We stop in Manchester, TN (northwest of Chattanooga on 24) on the way home so we do arrive in the evening and noticed that they were just setting up the lane closures around Kimball, TN exits around 7pm.
Here is a link to the TN DOT construction on I24:
http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/tsis_public/eventinfobyroute.asp?NBR_RTE=I0024

 

[Marc A.]

When we were coming home earlier in July, we noticed that in TN the construction zone signs said lane shifts, closures in the evening. We stop in Manchester, TN (northwest of Chattanooga on 24) on the way home so we do arrive in the evening and noticed that they were just setting up the lane closures around Kimball, TN exits around 7pm.
Here is a link to the TN DOT construction on I24:
http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/tsis_public/eventinfobyroute.asp?NBR_RTE=I0024

Wow, that site lists a ton of projects!!!
Hope it only slows us down a little
thanks