Leaving Jersey for the AutoTrain

[ibcnu]

We are taking the autotrain from Lorton, VA on a Thursday in August. What time should we leave Jersey to be at the Autotrain? We can check-in anytime between 11:30am and 3pm, with 3pm being the absolute latest.

I'd like to arrive to the Autotrain by Noon but need to get around Baltimore and Washington DC in the meantime.

If we left at 7am, be in the Baltimore area by 10am and Washington DC by 12pm? Should we leave at 6am to play it safe, or even earlier and stop for lunch once we pass Washington DC? And should we take 95 all the way down?

 

[NJRRK]

1) I'm assuming you mean NEW Jersey, since it would be hard to drive from one of the Channel Islands to Virginia.

2) Where in NJ are you coming from, it makes a difference. If you have to go southwest to get to the Delaware Memorial bridge, the easiest way is to take NJTpk all the way to the bridge then get on I-95 to Wash DC, I-495 around the west side of DC (you'll get arguments on this one, this is what I prefer), then get back on I-95 south in VA and you'll be to Lorton in no time. If you're in an area of NJ where you are close to the portion of I-95 that leads to the Scudder Falls bridge, I'd just stay on I-95 until south of Philly, then take I-495 (again my personal preference) around Wilmington DE then get back on I-95 until DC and follow the above. If you're at the shore take I-195 west to I-295 then go south to the Delaware Memorial bridge. If you're in the Atlantic City area take the Expressway West to I-295 and take that south to the Delware Memorial Bridge.

We leave from Morris County at about 6:30 or 7 a.m. and get to Lorton in time to have some lunch, buy some snacks and get checked in early. Enjoy the Autotrain, we do.

 

[ibcnu]

We are coming from the New Jersey shore area. The last time I drove near there was to Baltimore, and I took 70 (we are south of 195) to 295 to 95 to Delaware Memorial Bridge. I'm figuring it will be a 5 hour trip? It took 3 hours to get to Baltimore without traffic.

Because we want to be there by Noon, is it safe to say leave at 7am, get to Baltimore (and be done with traffic) at 9am, then on to Washington DC at 10am?

I'm not sure when the rush hour takes effect, even something simple like 295 or 95 out of Jersey into Maryland could be a disaster if there is road construction.

So, from the shore area, plan on 5 hours to Lorton not withstanding traffic, thus leaving 6 hours (at 6am)?!?

Thanks, first time taking the autotrain and we even have sleepers reserved!!

 

[NJRRK]

Since I didn't know where you were I gave very generic directions. As you know major NJ roadways seem to lead to one of three places, New York City, The Shore or Philadelphia.

70 to 295 south to the Delaware memorial bridge should work just fine.

I think that 7 would give you enough time but if it makes you feel better then leave at 6.

We have found that the optimum time for checking in is about 12:45 p.m. They still have all dining seatings open, it's not too busy and you can get a decent seat to relax for a couple of hours. After 1 it starts to get busy.