Just back--I-95 report

[Uncleromulus]

First-a tip of the hat to the Weather Channel. Their forecast about the effects of Isadore in the whole I-95 area was dead wrong. But I think that kept many cars and trucks off the road, as our trip down on Friday 9/27 was as traffic-free as I've seen it in all the years we've been going. Depite the dire predictions (which had Mrs. Uncleromulus very worried), it simply drizzled a bit until we reached Wash. DC. Then the rain ended and it was smooth sailing all the way to Orlando.
We left S. Pa. at 4:00AM and arrived in Brunswick, Ga. at 5:00 PM. The trip was as smooth as could be (we even made it thru the "mixing bowl" with nary a problem). Of course I-95 had it's share of tailgating, speeding, faiulure to yeild, improper lane changing, etc etc, but with the light traffic, it wasn't much of a problem. In Brunswick we stayed at the Hampton Inn. Nice and quiet, and within walking distance to Shoney's and Cracker Barrel.
From there, a mere 4 hours to WDW. Lots of construction "sites" in Fla., but no construction going on.
Coming home, we made it to Emporia Va. where we stayed at the Best Western. Again, nice and quiet.
Oh--we took I295 around Richmond and I-295 around Jacksonville. I heartily recommend both!!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Thanks for the post. Our trip is approaching rapidly & I'm starting to get nervous about the drive.

We live right outside Philly. Any route recommendations you'd be willing to share? We were planning to go I-95 right through, but if there are any shortcuts, I'd love to know about 'em!

 

[musical2]

Thanks, Uncleromulus. We are driving down from the DC area at the beginning of December and plan to do the same thing. We have always flown before, but decided to give the drive a try. We will leave about 4:00 am. We have reservations at the Hampton Inn in Brunswick, GA also. On the way back we have reservations at the Wingate Inn in Florence, SC.


Bart

 

[Patsy1969]

Hi, We live in De and drive to Fl about every 7 months. The one part of the drive we always hated was getting around Balt and Wash. We now use 301 south. We pick it up off 95 at 896 in Del. if you get a map you can see it. It puts you just above Richmond in Va. It takes the same amount of time[4 hours from de to richmond] and it saves the stress of the beltways. it does have some local traffic and lights, but if there is any type of delay around wash it is worth it. However, If you do like to drive all highway this is not the road for you. Patsy

 

[Uncleromulus]

301 South is probably the way to go if you simply must travel thru the Balto./DC area anytime near or during rush hour. But as you say, it isn't all "highyway", and there are lights etc to contend with. I often use it when we go to Williamsburg and we leave Pa. during the day.

KIm&Chris: I only wish there were a true bypass around Balto and DC (especially DC) but other than 301, there really isn't any.

 

[Goofy52]

We live in Ohio and take I-77 to I-95 all the way to Florida. Hopefully there won't be any construction when we leave in 9wks!

 

[The Duchess]

We have changed plans and we're hopping off I-95 in Wilmington, DE and going waaaay down and around over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, hooking back over to I-95 in Emporia, VA. I don't want to be driving or getting gas anywhere in the Baltimore/Washington area.
Original plan was right down I95 and staying in Fredericksburg,VA.
It is quite a bit longer, but we have three drivers and it will allow us to spend a little more time enjoying our second night in Savannah, GA.