For those folks driving!

[mrstomrice]

We are leaving the 7th around 3:00 pm from Rt. 1 in Philadelphia. We are debating on hopping on the turnpike and taking it to 81, then the route (can't recall the # at this early hour) that will bet us back towards Richmond, to avoid Dc and Baltimore during rush hour. My dad also knows of an eastern route through DE that will hook me back to 95 in Richmond. Any advice? We hope to get to Rocky Mount NC with a 2 year old that night and do the rest Saturday. Thanks!

 

[Mickey's Sister]

We are leaving the 7th around 3:00 pm from Rt. 1 in Philadelphia. We are debating on hopping on the turnpike and taking it to 81, then the route (can't recall the # at this early hour) that will bet us back towards Richmond, to avoid Dc and Baltimore during rush hour. My dad also knows of an eastern route through DE that will hook me back to 95 in Richmond. Any advice? We hope to get to Rocky Mount NC with a 2 year old that night and do the rest Saturday. Thanks!

Hi! I've made the drive from PA to Disney 4 times. If you're planning to go all the way to 81 from Phila., you're going way out of your way. (I assume you're trying to avoid the joys of I95? LOL) But from the turnpike, you'd have to travel all the way to Harrisburg to get to 81. Even if you get on at Downingtown, the first Harrisburg exit is more than 60 miles away and you still have to travel 283 north just to get to 81. The second exit where you can pick up 81 is at Carlisle, another 20 miles west. Actually, you'd probably be better, if you're determined not to do the I95 route, to get on 83 south at Harrisburg, instead of 283 north to 81, you won't go as far out of your way. Though I always used that route to get to Baltimore & DC so if you're trying to avoid I95, I'm not much help there. I83, once you get away from Harrisburg, IS a much nicer drive than I95.

We always drive I95 to Florida (we're about an hour north of Phila) all the way. It can be a bear, I'll admit. I just drove it Nov/Dec 2005 & I made the ridiculous mistake of traveling down Thanksgiving weekend - took me 24 hours actual drive time. UGH!!! But the trip home was smooth.

As far as getting to Rocky Mount, can't say with the extra drive time of 81, though I would think it's do-able. We always stay in Florence SC & usually arrive by about 6 - 6:30.

Hope this helps a little. Have fun planning!!!

Jessica

 

[mrstomrice]

Thanks for your help! I heard that the 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 route would take us about 90 extra miles, but it is a much nicer ride. Thanks for any other advice on this topic!

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Thanks for your help! I heard that the 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 route would take us about 90 extra miles, but it is a much nicer ride. Thanks for any other advice on this topic!

I don't like driving 81 either, but I've never taken it past Carlisle so maybe it gets better. When I was relocating, I commuted from here to Harrisburg for about 6 months, so drove 78 to 81 every day.

I'd love to hear about the route you mentioned through Delaware. That sounds interesting. The drive down I95 is fine when the traffic is moving, but when it's not...UGH!!! My son loves to go that route though because he enjoys seeing the cities. But at this point he's seen them enough! If I could find a better route with less traffic that isn't too much out of the way, I'd give it a try. Please let me know what you find out. Thanks!!!

Jessica

 

[cranbiz]

Ok here is my initial report on the drive down this time.

Left Wareham at 10 to 7pm. We had no troubles until the approach to the GW bridge. We made that by 10pm. There was an accident and we were tied up for about 20 minutes getting to the bridge.

First required bathroom break was at the Thomas Edison rest area around 11pm

First gas stop was at the Flying J off of exit 1 just before the Deleware Memorial bridge @ 2.23 for regular unleaded.

We took I895 thru Baltimore (I95 had 2 lanes closed due to construction - well advertised) and I495 around Washington but there were no indications of problems. Stopped at the rest area near Potomac Mills for bathroom break and to switch drivers at about 3pm. DW drove until until the NC welcome center which we made at 5:45am. Bathroom break there and then a gas stop at Roanoke Rapids (note: get gas in VA, NC gas was 2.49 where the gas in VA was 2.38) Back on the road at 6am. Next stop was at South of the Boarder for breakfast at 8:30am (yes it's a very tacky place but breakfast at Pedro's diner was $15.00 including tip for 4) On the road again at 9:30, Stopped for a bathroom break just before Waltersboro SC and then for gas in Waltersboro (exit 53) at the elcheapo for 2.37 (exit 57 had gas for 2.34). Bathroom break in GA near Brunswick and a topoff in St Mary GA for 2.27. Bathroom break and the obligitory pictures on the nieces at the welcome to Florida sign in the welcome center.

Pulled into the house in Deltona at 5:00pm

Total time on ther road was 22 hours and 10 minutes. This was with 2 yound girls 2 and 4. They either slept or played with a couple of portable games and were great.

We had no troubles except for NYC, an accident in Deleware but the impact was minimal (maybe 5 minutes) and an accident in GA (again minimal)

The worst construction was outside of Jacksonville, If I was travelling on a weekday this would have been a nightmare. The lanes are very tight and traffic was slow on Saturday with not alot of traffic on the road. A normal weekday is going to be difficult at best.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Just hearing about that Florida Welcome Sign...when you reach that point in your trip, well then your know you've MADE IT. You're almost to Disney!!! Anybody else get goose bumps when you reach that point - or am I the only crazy one? It's even better when you leave the cold weather up north & get out of the car & it's 70's. The air smells different - the tropical birds are flying around the palm trees... My son says it's like Christmas Eve. It's crazy I know, but I love that drive - though it's not as far for me from PA. Can't believe we're not going back till May 2007! Thanks for sharing!

Jessica

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

We are leaving the 7th around 3:00 pm from Rt. 1 in Philadelphia. We are debating on hopping on the turnpike and taking it to 81, then the route (can't recall the # at this early hour) that will bet us back towards Richmond, to avoid Dc and Baltimore during rush hour. My dad also knows of an eastern route through DE that will hook me back to 95 in Richmond. Any advice? We hope to get to Rocky Mount NC with a 2 year old that night and do the rest Saturday. Thanks!

We take the 81/64 detour as you described. We find it very beautiful and relaxing. Last time we went, we bumped into someone who went straight down 95. They were on the road HOURS more than we were, even though we went farther.

HOWEVER. We're starting from Allentown. So it's a straight shot across 78 to get on 81. It's a bit more convoluted starting farther south.

Hope that helps somewhat.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

We take the 81/64 detour as you described. We find it very beautiful and relaxing. Last time we went, we bumped into someone who went straight down 95. They were on the road HOURS more than we were, even though we went farther.

HOWEVER. We're starting from Allentown. So it's a straight shot across 78 to get on 81. It's a bit more convoluted starting farther south.

Hope that helps somewhat.

Hey there you folks in the Pocono's! We're up here near Scranton.

This route has always worked out for us the best as compared to 81 straight down thru to SW Va. and over the Appalachian Mts.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Hey there you folks in the Pocono's! We're up here near Scranton.

This route has always worked out for us the best as compared to 81 straight down thru to SW Va. and over the Appalachian Mts.

Hi up there near Scranton! We're right off the Mahoning Valley exit of the turnpike northeast extension - near Beltzville State Park. Not TOO far from you.

Where do you pick up 64? Does 64 join up with 95? I'm not familiar with this. This past trip was the first time we ever had trouble on I95 (Thanksgiving weekend) but it made up for all the other good trips combined. Plus I'm always ready for some new scenery, LOL!

Jessica

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Where do you pick up 64? Does 64 join up with 95? I'm not familiar with this. This past trip was the first time we ever had trouble on I95 (Thanksgiving weekend) but it made up for all the other good trips combined. Plus I'm always ready for some new scenery, LOL!

Jessica

81 exits to 64 right around Staunton, VA. It cuts across some seriously beautiful countryside near the Shenandoah National Park, and joins up with 95 at Richmond. (You can follow the signs to I-95 that will bypass the city itself. That takes you on, I think, 288 and 85.)

 

[mrstomrice]

I'd love to hear about the route you mentioned through Delaware. That sounds interesting. The drive down I95 is fine when the traffic is moving, but when it's not...UGH!!! My son loves to go that route though because he enjoys seeing the cities. But at this point he's seen them enough! If I could find a better route with less traffic that isn't too much out of the way, I'd give it a try. Please let me know what you find out. Thanks!!!

Jessica [/QUOTE]

Thanks everyone for your advice! Here is our plan, as of this moment, as well as the directions that bypass the 95 mess through MD and DC. These directions are my father's who travels by motorhome and is always looking for a less traveled route. He goes to Fl every year. We are going to try to avoid 495 in Deleware due to construction, so we are hopping over to NJ to take 295 S to the Del. Mem Bridge. That takes us to 13 South in DE. This is a stop and go road for about 5 miles and leads you to 301 South, which you take all of the way to Bowling Green Va where you connect to 95 South. Hopefully this is a good plan for a Friday afternoon.
Please let me know if you have experience with this route and what you think of it. HAve a safe trip everyone!

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Hi up there near Scranton! We're right off the Mahoning Valley exit of the turnpike northeast extension - near Beltzville State Park. Not TOO far from you.

Where do you pick up 64? Does 64 join up with 95? I'm not familiar with this. This past trip was the first time we ever had trouble on I95 (Thanksgiving weekend) but it made up for all the other good trips combined. Plus I'm always ready for some new scenery, LOL!

Jessica

Staunton and Rt. 64 are at exit 221 on Rt 81S.

Actually what I meant to say earlier is that we take the 81-17-66-17-95 way. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[LauraAnn630]

Is it hard driving through the Appalachian Mts. on 77? We're going in December. I'm worried about snow too!

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

That takes us to 13 South in DE. This is a stop and go road for about 5 miles and leads you to 301 South, which you take all of the way to Bowling Green Va where you connect to 95 South. Hopefully this is a good plan for a Friday afternoon.
Please let me know if you have experience with this route and what you think of it. HAve a safe trip everyone!

301 in Maryland is a nightmare. Lights every 1/4 mile for a long time there. HEAVY traffic on a Friday afternoon. Of course the beltway would be much worse, so this could be a better way to go. Once you are passed Bowie Maryland, you will be fine all the way to Bowling Green though. Just getting through the populated part of Maryland would cause you trouble.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

81 exits to 64 right around Staunton, VA. It cuts across some seriously beautiful countryside near the Shenandoah National Park, and joins up with 95 at Richmond. (You can follow the signs to I-95 that will bypass the city itself. That takes you on, I think, 288 and 85.)

I-64 and I-95 cut through downtown Richmond. Route 288 is the bypass around Richmond from I-64 in the west end to I-95 on the south side between Richmond and Petersburg. You'll pass the intersection of I-85 with I-95 in Petersburg, but you won't get on I-85.

I've driven from Richmond to Baltimore taking the US 301 route and it is a good alternative. Quite a few traffic lights and areas with speed limits below 55 in MD and the bridge is a toll, but the traffic moves at a decent rate and didn't seem as -- oh, what's a good word -- frantic as the Beltway and I-95 in NOVA.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Is it hard driving through the Appalachian Mts. on 77? We're going in December. I'm worried about snow too!

Using the Rt 81 to Rt 77 route in the "winter time" can be a test if there is snow on the ground. Your up in the mountains. IMHO. There is plenty of windy roads and tight turns.
Great drive in the summer on a motorcycle or sports car.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

301 in Maryland is a nightmare. Lights every 1/4 mile for a long time there. HEAVY traffic on a Friday afternoon. Of course the beltway would be much worse, so this could be a better way to go. Once you are passed Bowie Maryland, you will be fine all the way to Bowling Green though. Just getting through the populated part of Maryland would cause you trouble.

So much for that idea...that would drive me crazy! Plus all the extra gas you use in stop & go traffic... Thanks for the info!

Jessica

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

So much for that idea...that would drive me crazy! Plus all the extra gas you use in stop & go traffic... Thanks for the info!

Jessica

If you could leave earlier in the morning, you would do fine I think just staying on I-95. The DC beltway gets bad around 4pm, sometimes a little earlier.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

If you could leave earlier in the morning, you would do fine I think just staying on I-95. The DC beltway gets bad around 4pm, sometimes a little earlier.

We usually find this to be true. We've made the trip 4 times & the only problem we've had was this past November 2005 - I made the mistake of leaving Saturday after Thanksgiving. Leaving early didn't help. It was horrible not just to Richmond either, so taking another route part-way wouldn't have completely solved the problem. There were accidents that even had back-ups in North Carolina. It was bumper-to-bumper traffic crawling along from just below Jacksonville to the I4 split. I talked to a woman who came north to Disney from Palm Beach & she said they had the same problem coming north. Total drive time from PA was 24 hours - insane! The drive home the following weekend was fine though. Posters here frequently mention other routes which are better, so I'm open to suggestion...but I may just do I95 again. I normally love the drive - I know I'm crazy but I enjoy road trips. My concern is that next trip we're going down for Star Wars Weekends in May 2007 & the only week we can go brings us home on Memorial Day. Anyone do I95 on Memorial Day? Should be interesting...

Jessica

 

[java]

So in trying to plan our drive down I am thinking(ambitiuosly) that we will make it to SC. But in looking at the dis section for lodging along I95 in SC seems like we will really have to drive through most of it to find a decent place to stop. So am I wrong any good clean places to stop in the upper section of SC along I95? We usually only make it to NC and stay at a Fairfield Inn- but I think we are leaving much earlier than usual so we should get to SC.