For 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers only!

[sharadoc]

I'm from Northern Virginia/Washington, DC area and yes, I believe if you hit DC around 2-4pm, esp on a Saturday you should be safe. This is not a popular time ... actually I don't consider a Saturday or Sunday to be that busy in general, so maybe I have a distorted sense of what's "normal" for our area = busy to others ...

But with that said, you will have cars in all 4 lanes, but they will be moving. DC area just doesn't have the roads built like they should and there is always traffic.

But compared to a weekday, you should be fine (assuming there is no major construction or traffic accidents). Just remember it's a busy metropolitan area, so expect traffic.

HTH,


Marsha

Thanks - I "think" that Saturdays in the summer is the weekly rental check-in day, so everyone heading to the beaches does so on Saturday. Last year in August, we hit the top of Virginia at 10 AM, and didn't get out of Virginia until almost 5:00. 95 was bumper to bumper all the way to Richmond. We jumped off, had lunch, then went onto Route 1 which was a crawl, but according to the traffic reports on the radio, 95 was the same.

We can't figure out what would be better - go west to 81 and add an hour to 90 minutes onto the trip and bypass 95 until Richmond, or hit VA late enough that we'll miss the beach traffic. Option 2 won't get us as far on Day 1 as we like, though, unless we drive until 11 pm or so.

This is probably the most stressful part of the June trip (other than explaining to people why we think we need 3 trips in one year )

 

[nappingbeauty]

Anyone with experience staying at the Microtel Inns on 95?


Laura

 

[dvczerfs]

Thanks - I "think" that Saturdays in the summer is the weekly rental check-in day, so everyone heading to the beaches does so on Saturday. Last year in August, we hit the top of Virginia at 10 AM, and didn't get out of Virginia until almost 5:00. 95 was bumper to bumper all the way to Richmond. We jumped off, had lunch, then went onto Route 1 which was a crawl, but according to the traffic reports on the radio, 95 was the same.

We can't figure out what would be better - go west to 81 and add an hour to 90 minutes onto the trip and bypass 95 until Richmond, or hit VA late enough that we'll miss the beach traffic. Option 2 won't get us as far on Day 1 as we like, though, unless we drive until 11 pm or so.

This is probably the most stressful part of the June trip (other than explaining to people why we think we need 3 trips in one year )

hi sharadoc, i talked to my brother, he drives the beltways at night. (not for us either) if your going in june, on a sat. and dont want to sit in any traffic, probley the best way to go would be the turnpike, 81 , 77 , 26 to 95. it will take you longer but it would be alot less stressfull and the snow will be gone out of the mountains by then, hopefully.in june of 07, we took 81-66-17 to 95 on a sat. and didnt have problems till we hit 95. we inched our way to richmond. went thru richmond and we made it to south of the boarder but it was about 55 mph and alot of campers, cars. we are doing it again in june in 2011 (dd is dancing there again) and im going to go 81-77-26-95. id rather drive for an extra 2 hours than sit in traffic for 5 hours.

 

[dvczerfs]

Anyone with experience staying at the Microtel Inns on 95?


Laura

someone on here awhile ago said they stay at microtels and said they were nice. they are new. we stay at hampton inns which are also nice but 100 bucks a night. i have points thru hilton honors from work so we stay for free but theres a micro in allentown by the lehigh valley inter. airport and i had to meet someone for work there and he said it was clean and neat. theres no frills but i nice place to stay the night.

 

[BC1836]

Rest stop closures are increasing along major highways nationwide. A recent Assiciated Press report notes that it's a financial savings for states. But, obviously, it places travelers at an inconvenience, to say the least.

As such -- and although some interstate websites note rest stop closures -- it would be most beneficial for veterans of this site to post recent closures that they have seen or can verify.

Thanks to all in advance.

All the best.

 

[sharadoc]

someone on here awhile ago said they stay at microtels and said they were nice. they are new. we stay at hampton inns which are also nice but 100 bucks a night. i have points thru hilton honors from work so we stay for free but theres a micro in allentown by the lehigh valley inter. airport and i had to meet someone for work there and he said it was clean and neat. theres no frills but i nice place to stay the night.

We stayed at the Microtel in Walterboro end of January and it was nice. It was clean and our room was nice. (The window leaked from the rain in our room, but only onto the seat cushion). Breakfast was basic cereal, pastries and the ever-present waffles!! Good deal for the price - I think we only paid about $70 AAA for a "suite" that had a sofa/sitting area, kitchenette and queen bed.

 

[sharadoc]

hi sharadoc, i talked to my brother, he drives the beltways at night. (not for us either) if your going in june, on a sat. and dont want to sit in any traffic, probley the best way to go would be the turnpike, 81 , 77 , 26 to 95. it will take you longer but it would be alot less stressfull and the snow will be gone out of the mountains by then, hopefully.in june of 07, we took 81-66-17 to 95 on a sat. and didnt have problems till we hit 95. we inched our way to richmond. went thru richmond and we made it to south of the boarder but it was about 55 mph and alot of campers, cars. we are doing it again in june in 2011 (dd is dancing there again) and im going to go 81-77-26-95. id rather drive for an extra 2 hours than sit in traffic for 5 hours.

Okay, my DH just freaked about your snow comment - you're not serious, are you?????? I'm assuming you're just funnin' with me!

Thanks for the advice. I guess our only alternative would be to leave on Friday, but from what I understand, we would have to clear Virginia by noon or 1 to avoid the beach traffic. Something to think about, that's for sure.

 

[disneyfan55]

We stayed at the Microtel in Walterboro end of January and it was nice. It was clean and our room was nice. (The window leaked from the rain in our room, but only onto the seat cushion). Breakfast was basic cereal, pastries and the ever-present waffles!! Good deal for the price - I think we only paid about $70 AAA for a "suite" that had a sofa/sitting area, kitchenette and queen bed.

Although we haven't stayed in a Microtel on the way to WDW, we have stayed in a few and all were very nice. We have stayed in Days Inn in Fort Wentworth, Ga, Exit 109 and it's very clean, has a hot/cold breakfast (probably one of the biggest varities for free sausage/bisquits/waffles/cereals/bagels/donuts/fresh fruit/etc. We were just there Feb 12 for the snow! There is also a great Mexican place about a half mile away great price/drink/atmosphere.

 

[Marshay]

Thanks - I "think" that Saturdays in the summer is the weekly rental check-in day, so everyone heading to the beaches does so on Saturday. Last year in August, we hit the top of Virginia at 10 AM, and didn't get out of Virginia until almost 5:00. 95 was bumper to bumper all the way to Richmond. We jumped off, had lunch, then went onto Route 1 which was a crawl, but according to the traffic reports on the radio, 95 was the same.

We can't figure out what would be better - go west to 81 and add an hour to 90 minutes onto the trip and bypass 95 until Richmond, or hit VA late enough that we'll miss the beach traffic. Option 2 won't get us as far on Day 1 as we like, though, unless we drive until 11 pm or so.

This is probably the most stressful part of the June trip (other than explaining to people why we think we need 3 trips in one year )

I just asked my BIL who leaves Dulles Airport area and goes to Hilton Head in the summers on a Saturday. They leave early (before 7am) and usually don't encounter too much traffic. He was really surprised by your post...guess you either got it on an off Saturday or just hit the prime traffic time. That definitely would have been a horrible trip.

We're planning to leave from Dulles Airport area at 5am on a Saturday in July. I'm hoping we'll beat some of that traffic you were talking about...

Anyone with experience staying at the Microtel Inns on 95?


Laura

I've just got done doing my research on hotels we might want to stay at on 95 in Southern South Carolina and Georgia. Unless I'm mistaken, the Microtel Inns did not have a same-day cancellation policy.

I'm going to choose 2-3 hotels on 95 and make ressies for all of them, noting the 4pm or 6pm cancellation policy.

Speaking of which, when you cancel, do you get a new confirmation number for the cancellation? What proof do you have that you actually canceled prior to the charge? Has anyone had any problems doing this?

 

[Luvamouse]

While I am only familiar with the Rte 81 trip, I can verify that last April there were several Virginia Rest Areas closed. I cannot say if they were under repair, but they had cement barriers up and a closed sign. The frustrating thing was that we would leave and see a "Next Rest Area 88 miles" sign...and yes, that one would be closed too. We learned on the trip home to be prepared and pull into it if open, regardless of need Without any real way to quantify it, I would guess that up to 1/2 were closed from Exit 320- Exit 81. **(See note below...)

I realize it is financial, but it was very frustrating to have had so many available the trip before and be counting on them to be open. (Signage again...) Perhaps they have removed the signs that refer to the mileage to the closed ones now, or if they were being worked on that they are open.

Of course the accuracy of this is not guaranteed, but I just thought to look at the Virginia DOT website. Here is a link to their multi-highway list of rest areas and closings. Many states offer similar sites and info to use as a starting place. **I can guarantee that there were more than 3 rest areas closed on 81 N and S combined on our trip. Any discrepancy may be due to work being done and re-openings or the site not being up to date, although it says it is updated as of Feb 17, 2010. As noted below, you can't trust it always so it would be great to note the actual mile markers by the ones guaranteed closed. Or remember to stop "just in case"... when they're open

Rest stop closures are increasing along major highways nationwide. A recent Assiciated Press report notes that it's a financial savings for states. But, obviously, it places travelers at an inconvenience, to say the least.

As such -- and although some interstate websites note rest stop closures -- it would be most beneficial for veterans of this site to post recent closures that they have seen or can verify.

Thanks to all in advance.

All the best.

 

[BC1836]

While I am only familiar with the Rte 81 trip, I can verify that last April there were several Virginia Rest Areas closed. I cannot say if they were under repair, but they had cement barriers up and a closed sign. The frustrating thing was that we would leave and see a "Next Rest Area 88 miles" sign...and yes, that one would be closed too. We learned on the trip home to be prepared and pull into it if open, regardless of need Without any real way to quantify it, I would guess that up to 1/2 were closed from Exit 320- Exit 81. **(See note below...)

I realize it is financial, but it was very frustrating to have had so many available the trip before and be counting on them to be open. (Signage again...) Perhaps they have removed the signs that refer to the mileage to the closed ones now, or if they were being worked on that they are open.

Of course the accuracy of this is not guaranteed, but I just thought to look at the Virginia DOT website. Here is a link to their multi-highway list of rest areas and closings. Many states offer similar sites and info to use as a starting place. **I can guarantee that there were more than 3 rest areas closed on 81 N and S combined on our trip. Any discrepancy may be due to work being done and re-openings or the site not being up to date, although it says it is updated as of Feb 17, 2010. As noted below, you can't trust it always so it would be great to note the actual mile markers by the ones guaranteed closed. Or remember to stop "just in case"... when they're open

Thanks, Luvamouse, for responding to our post alert.
We 2,000+ mile round-trip drivers benefit from response posts like yours.
All the best.

Now then, who's on the road headin' to WDW before this month is out?

 

[Tanooki]

Now then, who's on the road headin' to WDW before this month is out?

*Raises her hand waaaaay up in the air*

We are, we are!

We are leaving Saturday very early morning for our first ever drive to WDW. I haven't changed my ticker when the trip got pushed back a day so it doesn't reflect reality

It will be our 3rd trip in 18 months but our first by car and I can't wait. I've got my trip mapped out on Google Maps, my Triptik and you guys...this can't go wrong, right?

Since we will be traveling from Montreal (suburb) on a Saturday, we've decided to go down I-95 but we'll go back home using the 26-77-81 way since it will be a Monday/Tuesday drive. Any thoughts on that plan?

Hopefully, the weather will be on our side. The forecast looks good so far

I'll let you know how things move along. We are planning on stopping in Roanoke Rapids, NC for the night and we'll have the netbook with us.

 

[dvczerfs]

Now then, who's on the road headin' to WDW before this month is out?

*Raises her hand waaaaay up in the air*

We are, we are!

We are leaving Saturday very early morning for our first ever drive to WDW. I haven't changed my ticker when the trip got pushed back a day so it doesn't reflect reality

It will be our 3rd trip in 18 months but our first by car and I can't wait. I've got my trip mapped out on Google Maps, my Triptik and you guys...this can't go wrong, right?

Since we will be traveling from Montreal (suburb) on a Saturday, we've decided to go down I-95 but we'll go back home using the 26-77-81 way since it will be a Monday/Tuesday drive. Any thoughts on that plan?

Hopefully, the weather will be on our side. The forecast looks good so far

I'll let you know how things move along. We are planning on stopping in Roanoke Rapids, NC for the night and we'll have the netbook with us.

have a nice trip!!! remember, its a little cooler down here than it is up there!!! we even have snow!! you shouldnt have much trouble this time of year with traffic.

 

[Marshay]

FYI -- I started a new thread on I-95 hotels for $50-100 in SC and GA to ask for recommendations. I didn't want to hog up this thread but I'd love your advice.

Here is the link if you'd like to respond.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=35551818#post35551818

Thank you!

 

[starwood]

Our trip down went great. We have a Prius and only spent $64 on gas on the way down. I haven't calculated the return trip yet (I was sick with Norovirus.) Total spent on the way down was approx. $250 (approximately the price of 1 airline ticket). On the way back we had an extra hotel night because I was sick but it should work out to around the same amount. I would definitely drive down again. Only ran into a little traffic right outside DC.

Also - did you know that the roomsaver magazines that you get a rest stops is also available online? You can see what is available before you go and print out the coupons.

 

[rotlex]

Our trip down went great. We have a Prius and only spent $64 on gas on the way down. I haven't calculated the return trip yet (I was sick with Norovirus.) Total spent on the way down was approx. $250 (approximately the price of 1 airline ticket). On the way back we had an extra hotel night because I was sick but it should work out to around the same amount. I would definitely drive down again. Only ran into a little traffic right outside DC.

Also - did you know that the roomsaver magazines that you get a rest stops is also available online? You can see what is available before you go and print out the coupons.

Cool. This sounds very similar, cost wise, to our two drives down last year. We spent a bit less, I think, approx $300-$350 total round trip, as we stayed at a LaQuinta Inn in Savannah for $50 per night. (One night stay each way).

While I love the convenience of flying, we are actually able to upgrade our hotel accommodations with the money we are saving by driving. (Heck, and still have some left over for extra "stuff", LOL).

Funny thing is, we started driving just to save money, which we definitely are, but actually enjoy the drive now as it's kind of a really great family bonding and talk time.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Our trip down went great. We have a Prius and only spent $64 on gas on the way down. I haven't calculated the return trip yet (I was sick with Norovirus.) Total spent on the way down was approx. $250 (approximately the price of 1 airline ticket). On the way back we had an extra hotel night because I was sick but it should work out to around the same amount. I would definitely drive down again. Only ran into a little traffic right outside DC.

Also - did you know that the roomsaver magazines that you get a rest stops is also available online? You can see what is available before you go and print out the coupons.

That is awesome! I would love a Prius!! Sorry you were so sick

 

[starwood]

We actually spent a little more the hotel then we would probably spend the next time. We stayed at a Hampton Inn for around $100.

 

[Marshay]

Also - did you know that the roomsaver magazines that you get a rest stops is also available online? You can see what is available before you go and print out the coupons.

Thanks! I will check them out.

Cool. This sounds very similar, cost wise, to our two drives down last year. We spent a bit less, I think, approx $300-$350 total round trip, as we stayed at a LaQuinta Inn in Savannah for $50 per night. (One night stay each way).

Do you recommend the La Quinta?

 

[rotlex]

Thanks! I will check them out.



Do you recommend the La Quinta?

Yes. We stayed at the LaQuinta off of 95, Savannah\Gateway area. It was a very nice place, especially for $50 per night. Clean, free of "visitors", nice pool etc. We will use it again this year during our drive for the August trip.

Also, this area, if you have not been there, has a lot of restaurants, gas stations etc., so it is convenient for that as well.