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

[edbo77]

Making our second drive down in less than a year. We are leaving this Thursday. I am a bit nervous right now as I see they are forecasting snow again for the Northeast. Boston may get 6-12 inches and other amounts south of us.

We are going the 90 to 84 to 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 (not 95S all the way) route, and I am wondering if maybe we should stick to 95S with all this weather? Has anyone gone the other way lately? Is it safe that way?


I am a wreck, someone please calm my nerves? What do you guys suggest? I have been reading again here, and you guys are a wealth of info. Please help?

What time are you planning to leave on Thursday?

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

Making our second drive down in less than a year. We are leaving this Thursday. I am a bit nervous right now as I see they are forecasting snow again for the Northeast. Boston may get 6-12 inches and other amounts south of us.

We are going the 90 to 84 to 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 (not 95S all the way) route, and I am wondering if maybe we should stick to 95S with all this weather? Has anyone gone the other way lately? Is it safe that way?


I am a wreck, someone please calm my nerves? What do you guys suggest? I have been reading again here, and you guys are a wealth of info. Please help?

95sb is good in fredericksburg, going to work in AM in DC so I will post back but checking the traffic cams everything looks fine....

http://www.wtop.com/?sid=604381&nid=370

 

[disneylovin24]

This snow is going to be the death of me We've had to change our travel times AGAIN because of it. Now we're leaving at 9 instead of 11, hoprfully we'll get south of the storm this way Don't know how far we're going to make it tonight, it looks like we should be reaching Emporia around 5 or 6 oclock and that's alittle too early to stop for me!! So hopefully we'll be going ahead another 2 or 3 hours, maybe make it to South Carolina

 

[pwdebbie]

Our local news (www.your4state.com) had a report this morning about I-81 being backed up for hours yesterday as they tried to remove snow, and the local alternative routes were worse. I'm not sure I'd go the 81 route at this time, if the 95 route is available.

 

[soontobewed07]

We're leaving tomorrow Leaving NYC around 11 and we're driving to Emporia,VA. It looks like we're going to hit alittle snow and maybe rush hour in DC and Baltimore but hopefully all will go well

YAY Have so much fun. Drive safe and enjoy the weather down there I know it was in the high 60's this week. Which sounds amazing compared to 23 degrees

 

[sharadoc]

Our local news (www.your4state.com) had a report this morning about I-81 being backed up for hours yesterday as they tried to remove snow, and the local alternative routes were worse. I'm not sure I'd go the 81 route at this time, if the 95 route is available.

Hey folks - checking in again. Got home about 2 hours late last night.

Northern Virginia and Washington were a NIGHTMARE!!!! They have no idea how to clear snow. They plowed most of 95, but not all. Some sections would have impacted snow 4-6 inches deep in the center lane, so you would have to ride on the outside lanes. Other places had the lane plowed, then suddenly the plow obviously turned a little and you would lose your lane and have to immediately merge in the lane beside you or crash into the snow. We saw Bobcats being used to move little bits of snow in parking lots, but leaving 4-6 inches behind. They would close 3 of the 4 lanes of 95 suddenly to use front end loaders to clear away snow from the right lane and shoulder.

We were really shocked, we honestly thought 95 was one of the most important highways in the country, so that if anything was clear, it would be 95. WRONG!

Delaware, Pennsylvania, north of Baltimore were a dream. Yes, they know how to handle snow there.

I think my nerves are finally calm.

 

[Marshay]

Hey folks - checking in again. Got home about 2 hours late last night.

Northern Virginia and Washington were a NIGHTMARE!!!! They have no idea how to clear snow. They plowed most of 95, but not all. Some sections would have impacted snow 4-6 inches deep in the center lane, so you would have to ride on the outside lanes. Other places had the lane plowed, then suddenly the plow obviously turned a little and you would lose your lane and have to immediately merge in the lane beside you or crash into the snow. We saw Bobcats being used to move little bits of snow in parking lots, but leaving 4-6 inches behind. They would close 3 of the 4 lanes of 95 suddenly to use front end loaders to clear away snow from the right lane and shoulder.

We were really shocked, we honestly thought 95 was one of the most important highways in the country, so that if anything was clear, it would be 95. WRONG!

Delaware, Pennsylvania, north of Baltimore were a dream. Yes, they know how to handle snow there.

I think my nerves are finally calm.

Oh, I'm sorry you had such a horrible time! I live near Dulles Airport and grew up in Reading, PA ... so yes, I agree with you -- DC area knows nothing about removing snow!!

I finally ventured out yesterday and experienced the same things on our major community roads -- lanes disappeared, snow only partially cleared, etc. And of course we have more snow and wind today...

I'm glad you made it home safely!

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

Hey folks - checking in again. Got home about 2 hours late last night.

Northern Virginia and Washington were a NIGHTMARE!!!! They have no idea how to clear snow. They plowed most of 95, but not all. Some sections would have impacted snow 4-6 inches deep in the center lane, so you would have to ride on the outside lanes. Other places had the lane plowed, then suddenly the plow obviously turned a little and you would lose your lane and have to immediately merge in the lane beside you or crash into the snow. We saw Bobcats being used to move little bits of snow in parking lots, but leaving 4-6 inches behind. They would close 3 of the 4 lanes of 95 suddenly to use front end loaders to clear away snow from the right lane and shoulder.

We were really shocked, we honestly thought 95 was one of the most important highways in the country, so that if anything was clear, it would be 95. WRONG!

Delaware, Pennsylvania, north of Baltimore were a dream. Yes, they know how to handle snow there.

I think my nerves are finally calm.

If 95 is one of the most important interstates we are in more trouble than I though...95 has been jacked in the greater DC area forever...they made a great 12 lane bridge (Woodrow Wilson over the Potomac) that still serves 3 lanes of highway to the south within a few miles of it, they cant plow, they cant fund or figure out how to expand it, I liked LA traffic better than DC, but I love the 'burg... They where saying on traffic radio (wtop, 107.3) that the plowed lanes would just end in a snow bank....how crazy is that

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

CLEARFIELD, Pa. (AP) - Two pileups involving about 25 vehicles on snowy Interstate 80 in central Pennsylvania have left one man dead and 18 people injured.

Police say the first wreck began around 9 a.m. Wednesday after two tractor-trailers jackknifed in Clearfield County. At least 12 more trucks and three cars were involved in that pileup.

The second pileup happened about two miles back on the same interstate as traffic slowed for the wreck 30 minutes earlier.

Seven trucks crashed into one another, and a car ran into the side of one of the trucks.

Authorities say the driver of the car, 57-year-old Steven Samuelson, of Orangeville, Ill., was killed.

The National Weather Service says moderate snowfall was falling in nearby Clearfield at the time of the pileups. There was a half-mile of visibility.

(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

 

[sharadoc]

If 95 is one of the most important interstates we are in more trouble than I though...95 has been jacked in the greater DC area forever...they made a great 12 lane bridge (Woodrow Wilson over the Potomac) that still serves 3 lanes of highway to the south within a few miles of it, they cant plow, they cant fund or figure out how to expand it, I liked LA traffic better than DC, but I love the 'burg... They where saying on traffic radio (wtop, 107.3) that the plowed lanes would just end in a snow bank....how crazy is that

I find it fascinating that there's not some "interstate authority" responsible for clearing 95. Apparently it's local folks, and they don't have the right equipment.

The plowed lanes ending in a snowbank is a disaster waiting to happen, for sure.

 

[glo]

Ok, estimated time of departure is 4pm this afternoon. I still do not know which route we will take. Anyone know how to check the routes as they are right now? I am a wreck reading about accidents everywhere. Our intention was to avoid 95S and do the other inner route that included 80. Please, I would love to hear what you guys suggest we do...Will be checking in here off and on today.

 

[pwdebbie]

Ok, estimated time of departure is 4pm this afternoon. I still do not know which route we will take. Anyone know how to check the routes as they are right now? I am a wreck reading about accidents everywhere. Our intention was to avoid 95S and do the other inner route that included 80. Please, I would love to hear what you guys suggest we do...Will be checking in here off and on today.

If you are thinking about I-81, here is a link to traffic cams along that route:
http://www.pennlive.com/traffic/ I-81 was closed Wednesday but according to the local paper it is now open again. Things were real bad here in our area yesterday (Chambersburg area).

 

[glo]

If you are thinking about I-81, here is a link to traffic cams along that route:
http://www.pennlive.com/traffic/ I-81 was closed Wednesday but according to the local paper it is now open again. Things were real bad here in our area yesterday (Chambersburg area).

Thank you for the link! Yes, we were thinking of going 81. We did it last summer and it was so much better than 95S. I am so stressing over this drive today. Please if anyone has any suggestions or ideas...let me know.

 

[MinMouse]

FYI - Delaware is under a state of emergency still today trying to clear the snow. Only essential vehicles (emergency vehicles, folks working at a hospital, etc.) are allowed Delaware roads until the "emergency" is lifted. They are ticketing drivers who are on the roads today. Be careful this area -- DC to Philly received a tremendous amount of snow within the last five days.

 

[glo]

FYI - Delaware is under a state of emergency still today trying to clear the snow. Only essential vehicles (emergency vehicles, folks working at a hospital, etc.) are allowed Delaware roads until the "emergency" is lifted. They are ticketing drivers who are on the roads today. Be careful this area -- DC to Philly received a tremendous amount of snow within the last five days.

Wow, thanks that is good to know. Guess we have no choice, but take 81. We need to be in Miami on Saturday for our cruise. Would have been better had I done the Disney part of the vacation first

 

[MinMouse]

I would check before you leave to see if the emergency has been lifted. I'm not familiar with 81 because we are too far east of it to use it for driving south. I will post when I hear the emergency is lifted in Delaware.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

95s clear in fredericksburg, zero traffic....

 

[sharadoc]

on the way home, take 95 to exit 133 (not bus.) follow rt17 to int 66 to int81. you avoid the va.,balt., dc traffic. ive been taking that way for 14 years after i got tired of sitting in traffic. we take the same way going down. its an easy ride and you dont drive 2 hours out of your way taking int. 77 to int.81.

Hi. I did Google Maps on this and it doesn't seem that different in total time spent on the road. Do you lose time on 77 due to speed limit differences?

We really like 95 in North and South Carolina so your option looks better to us. Does it also avoid the mountains??

We're planning a June trip and absolutely want to go via the Harrisburg 81 way, so looking for any and all best practices for getting back on to 95. We usually stay in Walterboro, SC or a little past there.

 

[MinMouse]

The State of Emergency driving ban has been lifted in the northern section of Delaware. So I95 in Delaware is now open to traffic.

 

[DoctorK]

Any word on US-15 between Harrisburg, PA and Frederick, MD? We'll be hitting Harrisburg, PA around 7pm and will have to choose between US-15 to I-270 to 95, or 83 around Baltimore and DC. Last I heard, US-15 in northern MD was still closed, but there aren't frequent updates on the state DOT website...