NJ travelers: Chesapeake Bay bridge or I95?

[mlayton14]

Hello all .. Ive done the drive from Northern Jersey shore to Disney via I95, made GREAT time (15 hours), albeit on New Years day.

Anyone from NJ opt for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge route (via the Cape May Ferry). Might the delay with the Ferry be offset by possible delays by avoiding Baltimore and DC??

Im hoping to make atleast as good of a time via the Bridge/Ferry route down the coast just so I can avoid the boring route and city driving of I95 ..

Anyone have any experiences good/bad going this way as far as travel time??

Many thanks in advance !!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Coming down through DE and MD to the CBBT may be a more scenic route, but I don't know if it will be much of a time-saver.

From what I can see on the map, the bulk of the route on the Eastern Shore is multilane highways that tend to go through towns and will probably have lowered speed limits and traffic lights.

Also, there's traffic in Hampton Roads to deal with, and it can be as bad as traffic in DC. After you come across the CBBT, you either have to take I-64 or I-264 to get from VA Beach on the east side of the metro area through some combination of Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth over to the west side and take US 58 to get to I-95 at Emporia. That's an hour from Hampton Roads to Emporia. Once you're on US 58 and through Suffolk, traffic should be better.

A good alternate would be US 301 from Baltimore south through MD into VA, and then 207 at Bowling Green over to I-95 north of Richmond.

 

[boBQuincy]

On many trips from Raleigh NC to New Jersey I have tried several routes and I-95 has always been the quickest unless there are some major traffic jams.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel route is much more scenic than I-95, but slower and more trouble with all the varying speeds. If you time I-95 right to minimize traffic around Baltimore, DC, and Richmond that's probably about as good as it will get.

And stay away from Daytona on race and bike weeks!


boB

 

[princesspumpkin]

I have traveled from SJ to VA Beach area via CBBT, but didn't use the ferry and it took me app. 4 1/2 hours. Even though the speed limits are lower, it didn't seem to take more time than 95 (from where I am). I have takenn the ferry, though, from WW to DE and the drive to get to the ferry took forever! I don't know if this helped or not I guess what I'm trying to say is another alternative might be to take the CBBT, but not the ferry.

 

[seashoreCM]

301, 207, 58... I haven't driven them but I suspect they are full of lights too. May be nice sightseeing but don't expect to make good time.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[djbleach]

I've driven them all. Of course If no traffic jams 95 is the Fastest, and probably dangerous!!
Eastern shore Is nice but can feel long and boring.
I've only done the 301 and it is the same mileage as 95, without as much risk as a traffic jam.
If I drive up north, i'm in Virginia, i'll go 301. It seems 95 always has a traffic jam.
Fly if you can get good rates! That's what we do.

 

[Ishy]

STAY AWAY FROM SHORE TRAFFIC AT ALL COSTS!!!
And if you miss the ferry or the ferry is too crowded - it will add HOURS on to a very long trip.

Stay with 95. The traffic on the otherside of the Ferry (DE.) is just as much a nightmare as it is on the GSP - I used to live in Morris County NJ and now I live in Ocean County.... this weekend the traffice mulitplied by 100 - and its like that every Thursday thru Monday until the end of September.

 

[bdcp]

If you're traveling in the summer, try not to take the Bay Bridge anywhere near a weekend unless you want very heavy traffic. Especially on a Saturday or Sunday after about noon. Traffic returning to the DC area is really heavy at that time since everyone is returning from their rentals and have to be out by 11 so they either leave then or spend time on the beach and head out later. We always cross the bridge early (around 9-10 am at the latest) in the summer to avoid crowds. You really have to time it perfectly to avoid the crush. So between Memorial day and Labor day be aware. It has also become a rush hour route as people move farther out of the city to afford homes. Another option which I've told to a few people on here, especially those from PA or upstate NY is to go though PA on 15 down to VA and then cut over south of DC to get to I-95 south of Springfield.

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with above posters about the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.......we always go the Eastern Short route when going to the OuterBanks from NE PA, but, I don't think I would go that way if driving to Disney. The area around Norfolk can get really bad....we've gotten tied up several times on 64 due to traffic jams, accidents, etc. Then, you still have to get back to 95 to continue further south anyway.

 

[tmt martins]

301, 207, 58... I haven't driven them but I suspect they are full of lights too. May be nice sightseeing but don't expect to make good time.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

I just went on 301 to SIX FLAGS .They are having major road work starting next week with the flashing signs from just below Rt 50 down until at least 214 .
Warning of Major delays with limited lain openings.

 

[c.w.e.m.]

We live In Pocomoke City, MD (Rt 13 runs right through) and those opting for a quick drive down the Eastern Shore may be fooling themselves. We've never made the drive to WDW, preferring driving to Norfolk and flying from there, but once you hit the Eastern Shore of VA, it is a traffic light nightmare. Couple that with slowing down to go through all the little towns on the VA shore, are you really saving that much time???

Yes, the trip over the CBBT is unique and everyone should do it once, but as previous posters have said, and being familiar with the Norfolk area, you still have quite a hike to reach I-95. With that being said, there are a ton of NY/NJ/CT/PA cars that pass through our little town every day heading south, so they must not mind!

If you do choose the Shore route, be sure to as you pass Pocomoke City and watch out for the local PD. They can be quick with their radar guns!!!

 

[skoi]

We did this last September on the way back from Hilton Head to Philly. We wanted to avoid DC and a lot of northbound construction around Richmond. It took us so long. There wasn't a lot of traffic, but large stretches of the road were 35-40 mph, lots of little towns. Delaware seemed never ending, but we loved the Bay Bridge. My husband swore it would be quick- he drives up and down to Norfolk to do his AT (he's in the Navy Reserve)- and he was surprised by how much longer it seemed with two kids in the car. Go figure.

We're sticking with 95 unless there is major construction, and then we still might stick with it.
Julie