I-95 Alternate Routes - RT301

[TW1]

but I would just get on the Baltimore Washington Parkway (295) after you go thru whichever tunnel in Baltimore you are taking....

Many thanks.
Geronimo!

 

[Uncleromulus]

But remember--LOCK your door!!!!!
8:30 is just too late for those other two routes to work out--. Has to be NLT 6:00 ,or earlier.
AS an aside, we leave Glen Rock for WDW on a FRiday--at 3:30AM. We are around the whole DC mess by 5:30 or so--which is BARELY in time to avoid the rush hour. WE used to leave at 4:00 AM, but getting around DC near 6:00 AM proved too risky--too much traffic already at that hour.
Sad ,isn't it??

 

[SELLINGINNJ]

Denise:
It's all construction and all around the Wilson Bridge--we just got back from Williamsburg Va..Went down on last Wednesday around 10:30 AM or so, thinking we had things beat. WRONG!!!! It took us nearly two hours longer to get to Williamsburg, and much of that was stop and go around DC.
Now--as you come down I-95 in Maryland and hit the Capitol Beltway (495) the normal route is East(left), toward the Wilson Bridge. That is actually THE I-95 route. During this construction phase, the suggested alternate is to go right (West) when you reach 495. That will eventually take you to 95 as well--but because it is the traffic radio "suggested" alternate, it's now a complete mess too!!! In fact, some earlier reports suggested the Wilson Bridge was FASTER!! Think about that---.
What time on Saturday are you leaving?? If you can possibly get to the construction area rather early (before 6:00AM) you might be OK. At least there won't be any "rush hour" traffic, and that will help...
And if you do go thru DC "proper", keep those doors locked and the windows up!!!

Thanks for all the info. We are leaving NJ about 6am. I went to my local AAA office this afternoon. He suggested, from NJ, I take Rt 78 to 81 to 77, which would put me in Charlotte, SC. He said this way I would travel about an extra 80 miles but it would be worth it.

Anybody take this route?

Many, many thanks,
Denise

 

[ccw]

Charlotte is in NORTH Carolina (just so you won't think you're lost!)

 

[SELLINGINNJ]

Charlotte is in NORTH Carolina (just so you won't think you're lost!)

Thanks! I am starting to even confuse myself.......................LOL

 

[Uncleromulus]

I haven't taken it, but have read posts from those who have. It does appear to be a good alternate route. Longer, and you'll find lots of traffic around Charlotte. But I-81 is pretty nice and at least, you'll be MOVING!!!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

TW1, have you abandoned the US 301 alternative altogether? Back in February, the OP posted this link detailing an alternate route around Baltimore and DC.

The main concern at the moment is the construction on the Wilson Bridge on the I-95/495 beltway around DC.

Here's one alternate route I took from Richmond to Baltimore about 6 years ago, in reverse to get you from Baltimore to Richmond --

Take I-97 south from Baltimore toward Annapolis
Exit onto State Route 3 southbound
Follow signs for US 301 south -- this will take you in the direction of Waldorf and St. Charles. At this point you will join up with the directions in the link between Annapolis and Waldorf.
In VA, when you reach Bowling Green on US 301, take state Route 207 to I-95. You can take US 301 south to I-295, the bypass around Richmond, but that is also a two-lane (one in each direction) for much of that stretch.

SELLINGINNJ, a lot of people have taken that route and swear by it. I've driven stretches of I-81 through VA and yes, traffic does move and it is a very scenic drive. I-81 does have quite a bit of tractor-trailer traffic on it, though, moreso than highway planners anticipated when it was built. You could take I-78 to I-81 and then get on I-64 east at Staunton, VA, toward Richmond, then take Route 288 around Richmond to I-95. Once you're through Petersburg, you don't go directly through any more large cities until Jacksonville, FL

Hope this helps you both. Good luck!

 

[TW1]

TW1, have you abandoned the US 301 alternative altogether? Back in February, the OP posted this link detailing an alternate route around Baltimore and DC.

The main concern at the moment is the construction on the Wilson Bridge on the I-95/495 beltway around DC....Good luck!

Thanks Obi-Wan, but DW is adverse to two-lane roads with traffic lights, even if they are moving. Somehow she seems happier on a long trip using an interstate thats crawling along, rather than a route taking her town to town and stopping at lights.

I've settled on the 295 to 395 route through DC. But if I can get near the 495 before 8am (my optimal goal) I may even give 495 a shot southbound.

Coming home on Friday Sept 1 will be a whole different story - hitting the DC area around 9pm after a long day coming up from SC. Not sure what I'm doing there yet.

 

[Onceler]

I've settled on the 295 to 395 route through DC. But if I can get near the 495 before 8am (my optimal goal) I may even give 495 a shot southbound.

Coming home on Friday Sept 1 will be a whole different story - hitting the DC area around 9pm after a long day coming up from SC. Not sure what I'm doing there yet.

If you hit the DC beltway that early on a Saturday morning, then you probably won't have to worry about traffic no matter which direction you go. Staying on I-95 east of the city may turn out to be the easiest route.

No matter which way you go, the traffic usually doesn't become bad until you cross the Potomac River. Northern Virginia between DC and Richmond is often a tough trip with few alternate routes. But it shouldn't be bad that early on Saturday.

One bit of advice: as you approach the DC area, turn your radio to either 1500 AM or 107.7 FM. They have traffic reports every 10 minutes. If there are any unexpected problems, it will help you find a better route.

 

[TW1]

One bit of advice: as you approach the DC area, turn your radio to either 1500 AM or 107.7 FM. They have traffic reports every 10 minutes. If there are any unexpected problems, it will help you find a better route.

Many thanks.