From NJ: I-81 to I-95 vs Just I-95

[AntePrincess]

I apologize if this has been covered before, but I was really curious about the alternate route suggested in the Drivers Sticky:

According to Google Maps, I can take I-78 to hook up with I-81 and join I-95 in Georgia, bypassing the NJ Turnpike, DC, Delaware, and Maryland (which once stretched a 5 hour ride into 10 hours on a trip from Central Jersey to Williamsburg ). Google says that will add 2 hours to the overall trip in current traffic.

So my question to those who have taken both routes: does it really add two hours? I'm on the fence about it, I have to take the I-95 route one way anyway to stop at relatives, but I'm curious. TIA!

 

[msmayor]

I have always driven I-95 all the way...multiple times from NJ to FL and for the last three years, twice a year all the way to Savannah.

I can honestly say that I've never experienced a delay that would make me want to add 2 hours to take another route.

 

[DCTooTall]

I'd have to say it would really depend upon when you are traveling. 81 doesn't pass thru as many major cities on the way down, but it does travel thru more mountains. Since it's more rural and mountainous than the 95 route, You also tend to have fewer lanes of traffic.....which could amplify a wreck's impact a bit more than the 95 coastal route.

So it really could come down to when you are traveling. If going during winter when there could be more snow/ice conditions, The 81 route thru the mountains could be less desirable due to the worse road conditions, and more rural route factors which could impact frequency of salt/plows and traffic keeping the roads clear.

But with the 95 route, you have several major metropolitan areas with the potential of heavy traffic. The NJ Turnpike also has a lot of construction on it which could also impact delays. If you are going to hit rush hours, Then you can easily add the 2hrs in traffic thru Baltimore and DC.