Northeast (NY) to Florida, without going through DC ?

[cheesekate2005]

Does anyone have their directions from the northeast (upstate NY for me) to Florida without going through DC? I know that many people take an alternate...I am just looking for some input about the best way to do it. Also, we are travelling in February (should weather in Pennsylvania be a big consideration??). Thanks!

 

[vicki_c]

You can bypass DC "generally" by taking 95 S but instead of continuing on 95 past DC into Virginia, stay further east near Annapolis and take 301 south, eventually to the 295 bypass around Richmond to 95 S again. This assumes you are coming from the eastern side of NYS. There can still be a lot of traffic on 95 though in various places along the way.

From WNY, you can take 79 through PA down into WV and you don't go near DC at all.

If you are closer to mid-state, we usually travel down through the center of PA towards Baltimore (leaving NYS near Painted Post). We take 80 and 83.

 

[brernick]

If you want to miss Baltimore and DC take 95 south in Delaware to rt 1 south. Then take 301 south to the Bay Bridge. Just outside of Annapolis you'll find 301 south again. You can follow this all the way into VA.

 

[cheesekate2005]

I am coming from eastern NY. I thought I have read of people taking 81 down to 95. Google maps is showing me to go through Allentown PA and Harrisburg PA. I was thinking of doing something in this direction...does anyone know the best route this way.

Thanks for the tips, I will check them out on the maps today!

 

[HeatherC]

We did this drive this summer to Hilton Head.

You would take 81 south. to 77 to24 to 95. You meet up with 95 around Charleston, SC.

Beautiful ride with very little traffic....but a lot of tractor trailers which we didn't find to be a problem at all.

Hope this helps!

 

[cheesekate2005]

I think that this is along the lines of what I was thinking of...thanks!

 

[uva185]

81 is actually a nice scenic drive through the VA mountains. There are a lot of trucks, so if driving next to them freaks you out then 81 is not for you. Otherwise its great!!

 

[msmayor]

81 is actually a nice scenic drive through the VA mountains. There are a lot of trucks, so if driving next to them freaks you out then 81 is not for you. Otherwise its great!!

Personally, I'd prefer to stay out of the mountains driving in February, especially with trucks.

 

[SleepyKeith]

Yup, I just did the 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 route a couple of weeks ago. Did not hit one bit of traffic, had beauitful views, and there were plenty of places to stop for food, gas, etc. I didn't notice any more trucks than what would be on I95.

 

[GranddadTom]

You’re coming from upstate NY so I assume that you know how to drive in snow. But still I would consider the weather to be something you want to pay close attention to. Generally the closer you stick to the coast, the milder the weather will be. My “safe” path back to Washington from New England (a trip I make several times a year) is Rt 84 (you would pick this up in Newburgh as you get off the NY Turnpike) to Scranton where you get onto Rt 81 South. I get off on Rt 83 but you can stay on Rt 81 all the way to Rt 77, through Charlotte and Columbia and pick up Rt 95 just below Santee. In February I would only go this way if the weather had been clear for a few days and the forecast was for good weather. As a previous poster mentioned, there are trucks (lots of them) on Rt. 81. There are hills on Rt. 81 (lots of them). And Rt. 81 is only 2 lanes and one truck passing another truck create rolling road blocks that can be a real problem. In general, I really dislike Rt. 81 although I take it often. It’s the most dangerous road in Virginia. There are advantages to in driving in February. Traffic is lighter and there is very little road construction going on. My advice to you is that if you can get to Washington at any time other than afternoon rush hour on a weekday (2 pm to 9 pm), Rt. 95 all the way is a better option than going through the mountains. Even the morning rush hour is manageable if you go east on the Beltway because the worst part is not the Beltway but I-95 in northern VA. And in the morning the direction of heavy traffic flow in northern VA is into the city and you will be going out of the city. As a PP mentioned, the trip through Delaware is less hectic but watch those speed traps in the small towns as you approach the bridge-tunnel. Also the bridge-tunnel is something to behold. Going this way, you do have to drive through Norfolk to get back to Rt. 95. Oh, and one last thing - two weeks ago I came down I-95 and hit an unbelievable backup before the toll booth. If this craziness is still going on, have a plan to get off at either Exit 2 or Exit 3 and bypass the toll booth. It's an easy detour and there is even a Dunkin Donut at Exit 2. Plus plenty of gas stations.

 

[uva185]

Personally, I'd prefer to stay out of the mountains driving in February, especially with trucks.

It's Virginia, not Colorado. The chance of winter precip is slim. Personally if there is any winter precip falling you will certainly not find me on any interstate. Too many people who have no clue how to drive here on the East coast!!

Actually that raises a good question. I don't take road trips but for those who drive what do you tend to do when there is winter weather? Drive anyways, leave earlier, or leave later?

 

[Missytara]

It's Virginia, not Colorado. The chance of winter precip is slim. Personally if there is any winter precip falling you will certainly not find me on any interstate. Too many people who have no clue how to drive here on the East coast!!

My stepmother and I went to Asheville, NC the first week in April in 2007. We woke up (in the mountains) on Sunday morning and it was snowing like mad. Slippery road conditions, similar to light rain and oil slick to the surface.

Needless to say, it was a harrowing experience - and also somewhat steep - but once we got out of the mountains, it stopped.

So, even on the east coast, you can encounter those same conditions, and it isn't very much fun.

 

[Missytara]

If you want to miss Baltimore and DC take 95 south in Delaware to rt 1 south. Then take 301 south to the Bay Bridge. Just outside of Annapolis you'll find 301 south again. You can follow this all the way into VA.

Or you can go straight through DE into MD, and then proceed to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, just over the MD/VA border.

 

[msmayor]

It's Virginia, not Colorado. The chance of winter precip is slim. Personally if there is any winter precip falling you will certainly not find me on any interstate. Too many people who have no clue how to drive here on the East coast!!

Actually that raises a good question. I don't take road trips but for those who drive what do you tend to do when there is winter weather? Drive anyways, leave earlier, or leave later?

For the record, I live in NJ...so I know all about winter driving.

Perhaps you assumed I meant snow, but it doesn't need to be snow to be treacherous. Icy rain is always a possibility in higher elevations and can often be MORE dangerous than driving in snow. Ice patches on the highway are not always apparent until its too late.

 

[cheesekate2005]

Thanks for all of the useful information! When the weather is bad where I am (Catskill Mountains) I try to travel before or after it. However, as a school employee, I cannot take off on a Friday afternoon before a vacation (President's week is my week!). So, I have to pray for good weather. Also, when we have left for Florida on Friday afternoons at 3:30, we have often hit DC traffic (even at 9:30 at night on a friday). So, I am hoping to avoid the DC traffic, the only way I can leave early is if we get a snow day (what are the chances), and even then, the roads might be no good.

Thanks for the tips, I now have a lot of information to get me to Florida without going through DC!

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Cheesekate-Get on the train in Albany like we do !!!! Great trip with great view-and you wake up and see palm trees! I will bump my thread for inspiration!

 

[cheesekate2005]

Cheesekate-Get on the train in Albany like we do !!!! Great trip with great view-and you wake up and see palm trees! I will bump my thread for inspiration!

Thanks Lisa! We took your advice and took the train to WDW in August and it was awesome! I would do it again in a heartbeat! However, we are doing a Dis cruise in February and the timing with my school schedule doesn't work out

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Yeah-you did it I want photos!!!! Hope the family thought it was as cool as I think it is
I have never done a cruise-but think I will in a few years. I don't plan to head to WDW til the renovations are complete in 2013 (gotta save up!)