Hilton Head driving strategy?

[ruddydvc]

We will be taking a short trip to HHI at the end of the month. We will be leaving from Connecticut on Friday night 10/31 around 9PM. I'm planning on taking the NJ turnpike into 95 and staying on 95 the whole way. We will be returning on Tuesday which happens to Election Day. If we leave HHI around noon, I'm figuring we will be hitting Richmond around 6 and DC around 7. Being Election Day, I thought I would take the 295 loop around Richmond and 301 past DC. Is this a good strategy? Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for your help. Our first trip to HHI.

 

[michaeln]

We drove up to NY a few months ago and if I recall it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to get to DC from Richmond. I could be wrong but if memory serves that was the time.

Anyway if you want let us know when you are coming. Since it is your first trip to HHI maybe we can show you around or something.

 

[frndofpooh]

My parents live in HH, and I made the DC to HH trip many times when I lived in the DC area. HH to DC is more than 7 hours. It's actually 8+ hours. Having said that, leaving at noon is probably a good idea. If you got to DC anytime earlier than 7:00, traffic would be heavy whether you took 301 or 495 or any other route. Election day probably will not reduce the traffic noticeably. I would suggest sticking to your plan and leaving at noon, but stay on 95 (495) around DC rather than taking 301. Have a safe trip!

 

[Lesley]

When we lived in PA we always took 295 around Richmond (unless the highways were particularly empty and it was the middle of the night....) and 495 around DC (which is basically just staying on 95) I never thought the DC traffic was too bad....where it gets bad is in northern VA. I don't know that election day will have a big effect on traffic.....but we've avoided driving through Richmond since getting stuck in a traffic jam for 2 hours at 9pm once.

 

[jcodespoti]

ruddydvc,

Just be careful of over nite construction in CT. I don,t know where your leaving from in CT, BUt check w/ AAA to see if overnite construction is happening. Also watch the metro channel (if you get it) and see what going on in stamford and parts of NY. I know by the split of 95 and 495 in the Bronx they are doing tons of work, you might want to take the merrit.

Joe in CT