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

[jaminmd]

Hi everyone,

My family are attempting the drive from Northern Delaware to WDW for the first time next week. I was hoping for some guidence on timing and the route around the DC metro area.

Specifically, we are leaving on April 5, and will do the trip in 2 days. We were thinking of leaving around 8 am that day, which would bring us to the DC area around 11 (I think) and then Richmond just after lunch (I think). Should we leave earlier? Later?

Also, reviewing recommended routes on both GoogleMaps and Mapquest, they suggest different routes around DC. GoogleMaps goes 95/895/MD-295/MD-201/DC295/95. This seems... complicated. Mapquest suggests 95/495 (outer loop)/95. What do you all think?

Any help is hugely appreciated!

The time you're arriving in this area is good and you're doing it on a weekday when everyone is at work. There should be little beltway traffic at that time, so I'd take the outer loop to 95. Either way around 495 should be ok.

 

[fibercut]

Hi everyone,

My family are attempting the drive from Northern Delaware to WDW for the first time next week. I was hoping for some guidence on timing and the route around the DC metro area.

Specifically, we are leaving on April 5, and will do the trip in 2 days. We were thinking of leaving around 8 am that day, which would bring us to the DC area around 11 (I think) and then Richmond just after lunch (I think). Should we leave earlier? Later?

Also, reviewing recommended routes on both GoogleMaps and Mapquest, they suggest different routes around DC. GoogleMaps goes 95/895/MD-295/MD-201/DC295/95. This seems... complicated. Mapquest suggests 95/495 (outer loop)/95. What do you all think?

Any help is hugely appreciated!

I would definitely take 895 to MD295 will save you at least 30 minutes. It's not confusing at all. Once you get on MD295 STAY on it until it ends. You will see signs for 95 way before MD295 ends. When you see the Regan airport on your right MD295 you will know the road ends soon. It ends at the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge (he was a evil man) you will follow onto 95/495 for a few miles (capital beltway). Do not take the 295 around Richmond. Your time should be fine. I leave northern NJ at 3:00 Am and we are in Richmond by 8:30 AM. Savannah GA by 2:00 Florida Welcome Center for free OJ by 4:30.

 

[BC1836]

We drove to AK this morning, but our 10:30 arrival was too late to avoid the mega-crowds. Nearly a 100 people lined up for FP for the safari! Yikes!

After FP for Dinosaur, we drove to our secret EPCOT parking area and enjoyed the afternoon there.

All the best.

 

[dvczerfs]

We drove to AK this morning, but our 10:30 arrival was too late to avoid the mega-crowds. Nearly a 100 people lined up for FP for the safari! Yikes!

After FP for Dinosaur, we drove to our secret EPCOT parking area and enjoyed the afternoon there.

All the best.

bc!!! glad your having a good time!! secret epcot parking area???? uhmmmmm
i will have to think about this one.

 

[patclairesmom]

BC, now that you've told us there is such thing as a secret Epcot parking spot, you'll have to come clean and share.

 

[pwdebbie]

Either way around 495 should be ok.

My sister just traveled the DC beltway last Friday. They did the west side (coming from Frederick, MD) to get to 95S and it took them three hours from the time they got on 495 until they got off. They hit it at about 2:00 p.m. and thought that they would be able to get through with no problem since that was before rush hour. Construction held them up. So, I would advise not taking the west side.

 

[pwdebbie]

Do not take the 295 around Richmond.

Why? I've seen this mentioned before. Our GPS takes us that way, it is wide open road that hardly anyone uses and you don't have to deal with any traffic.

 

[blondietink]

If we take 95 down or back we always take 95 right through Richmond. Never had a problem. We took the outer loop once 295 and it seemed a lot longer time wise and mileage wise.

 

[fibercut]

Why? I've seen this mentioned before. Our GPS takes us that way, it is wide open road that hardly anyone uses and you don't have to deal with any traffic.

It's longer and never encountered Richmond traffic. I would suppose if your in the heart of rush hour and im not too sure what that looks like in Richmond, I suppose the 295 loop could come in handy. Traveled down once with a friend they took 295 we stayed straight ended up having to wait for them for 25 minutes in Weldon, NC.

 

[amcnj]

Hi Fibercut. Like you, I leave early AM, but am further south than you now (I was originally from your area). Anyway, you said taking 895 saves you 30 minutes. Do you find that holds true regardless of the day of the week or time of day? I take 95, but going down am crossing the bridge by DC at 5:30am. Coming home I did hit some traffic once or twice in that area, I think around noon/early afternoon. Would 895 be a better route?

 

[fibercut]

Hi Fibercut. Like you, I leave early AM, but am further south than you now (I was originally from your area). Anyway, you said taking 895 saves you 30 minutes. Do you find that holds true regardless of the day of the week or time of day? I take 95, but going down am crossing the bridge by DC at 5:30am. Coming home I did hit some traffic once or twice in that area, I think around noon/early afternoon. Would 895 be a better route?

I only get thru there in the morning. Usually it takes us 2 hrs 50 minutes to get to the 895 | MD295 intersection (around 6AM) and another hour 10 to get to Alexandria (7:15AM). In essence i'm below the DC traffic by 7AM. So if you are in southern NJ and leave 4AM you should be fine.

 

[kbeth0310]

Hi! New here & need advice...

We are going the 3rd week of Sept for a Sun-Sat stay. We have tickets Sun-Fri with our 1st reservation at 6p on Sun @ 1900 Park Fare.

Idea 1 was leave 5a-ish Sat and drive until we hit GA, spend the night then finish last 4 hours Sun getting us there by 1p. Relax by the pool, do dinner then hit MK for pm EMH until we get tired.

Idea 2 was let DH sleep all day, leave around 5p Sat and drive thru the night stopping for breakfast when the kids woke. Get to hotel around 10a & hope for early check in, nap, pool & go from there. DH & I both work nights so 1 staying awake to drive as the other slept then switching off isn't a big deal.

The longest road trip the kids have had was 3 hours away.

Anyone have any ideas or think one way is better?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Hi! New here & need advice...

We are going the 3rd week of Sept for a Sun-Sat stay. We have tickets Sun-Fri with our 1st reservation at 6p on Sun @ 1900 Park Fare.

Idea 1 was leave 5a-ish Sat and drive until we hit GA, spend the night then finish last 4 hours Sun getting us there by 1p. Relax by the pool, do dinner then hit MK for pm EMH until we get tired.

Idea 2 was let DH sleep all day, leave around 5p Sat and drive thru the night stopping for breakfast when the kids woke. Get to hotel around 10a & hope for early check in, nap, pool & go from there. DH & I both work nights so 1 staying awake to drive as the other slept then switching off isn't a big deal.

The longest road trip the kids have had was 3 hours away.

Anyone have any ideas or think one way is better?

Does your family like aquariums? I understand there's a really great one in Atlanta. Sounds like you may have time for it based on the tentative plan above

 

[dvczerfs]

It's longer and never encountered Richmond traffic. I would suppose if your in the heart of rush hour and im not too sure what that looks like in Richmond, I suppose the 295 loop could come in handy. Traveled down once with a friend they took 295 we stayed straight ended up having to wait for them for 25 minutes in Weldon, NC.

when we go down that way, we take 95 through richmond. we found its about 25-30 min. longer going around on 295. i hit the north end of richmond once at 5pm. the traffic got thick real fast. it was heavy but we were still moving 65-70 in the left lane. north bound was a mess. i just make sure i dont hit it at rush hour anymore. i sat in traffic one time from mile marker 133 till richmond. we went on 95 and it all opened up.

 

[discrazy2]

leaving at 5:00pm you are going to hit the normal rush hour trafffic. im guessing you will for some time. there is only one way to avoid traffic is travel at night or stay away from i95. just off the top of my head, not trying to leave anyone out, but bc and sharadoc travel that way. (bc is from nj) he has his time lines posted in the last few pages. that will give you some idea as to what times to hit the road.

I'll check the time lines. Appreciate the tip!

 

[discrazy2]

5 isn't bad. You'll hit some on the pike up to exit 5ish. Baltimore by 8 should be ok and DC after shouldn't be that bad. I've left at both 5 and 6 and the little bit later does usually help. Good luck and drive safe

Thanks!

 

[patclairesmom]

Why? I've seen this mentioned before. Our GPS takes us that way, it is wide open road that hardly anyone uses and you don't have to deal with any traffic.

I prefer taking 295 around Richmond as well. We went straight through once, and I thought the road it self was in bad condition and while it wasn't stop and go traffic there was still traffic.

 

[nono]

Does your family like aquariums? I understand there's a really great one in Atlanta. Sounds like you may have time for it based on the tentative plan above

kbeth, are you coming down I 95? If so, Atlanta would be a bit of a detour, but there's a few things to do in Savannah if you are going near there.

As for which plan, the only snag is that if your room isn't ready and you are dead tired from the trip, Plan B suddenly becomes a not-so-great choice. Plus you all might be so keyed up Saturday that you all are bouncing off walls.

 

[justakrazymom]

I have a question. Last year our new gps ( garmin) took us in back woods new Jersey to get to 95 ( from W. Mass).. the 2 years before our old gps did not do this. We hit rain, it was dark and we almost hit a guardrail.. I would like to NOT repeat this. Anyone have a good way to have my GPS not take us this route??

 

[blondietink]

I have a question. Last year our new gps ( garmin) took us in back woods new Jersey to get to 95 ( from W. Mass).. the 2 years before our old gps did not do this. We hit rain, it was dark and we almost hit a guardrail.. I would like to NOT repeat this. Anyone have a good way to have my GPS not take us this route??

Gerally our GPS takes us back road routes when we hit "shortest route" but takes us on expresways when we hit "fastest route".