Philly to Orlando - I95 or I81?

[mjbaby]

So we're leaving in...let's see...16 days or so and we haven't quite got around to planning the route yet. Pretty zen, yes?

Anyway. From Philly to Orlando gives us only a couple choices - the much-dreaded 95 or the inland route of 81 and then cutting over through one of the Carolinas (I can never remember which).

We're not in a particular hurry and can virtually spend as much or as little time as we want taking up to three days. Does either route have anything of note to stop and see? Where would you stop along the way if you were us? I'm in particular looking for stops that would enrich the trip - interesting towns, cool museums, strange sights - rather than merely be a pit stop on the way to Disney.

C'mon you blackbelt roadtrippers...lay it on me! What can't be missed heading south from Philadelphia?!

 

[dacky041208]

From Philly I would do I-95. I don't remember anything really interesting on either route (I take 95 to Florida and I take 81 when visiting friends in Alabama). 95 would be more direct, and there are more places to eat/sleep along 95. Just try to time it so you aren't driving around DC or Baltimore during busy times.

 

[skiingfast]

I'd see DC but I haven't been there in a while and this may not be your case. This of course is what puts the dread into taking 95.

Charleston is nice place to puruse and it's a quick side trip of 95 not a bad place to spend the night.

If you take 81 in NC your could cut down 26 back to 95. This takes you through Ashville which has a nice little village. You can tour the Biltmore Estate there too, it takes about half a day.

 

[mdinme]

95.

 

[loveysbydesign]

depends on what day of the week you are leaving...if you want to avoid the dreaded beach traffic then go on 81!

 

[Robert P]

I'd see DC but I haven't been there in a while and this may not be your case. This of course is what puts the dread into taking 95.

Charleston is nice place to puruse and it's a quick side trip of 95 not a bad place to spend the night.

If you take 81 in NC your could cut down 26 back to 95. This takes you through Ashville which has a nice little village. You can tour the Biltmore Estate there too, it takes about half a day.

Not a bad idea, but FYI to anyone considering this route:

You would have to stay on 81 down into TN, catching 26 between Kingsport and Johnson City, then head South to Asheville. 81 runs all the way down to Knoxville, TN but doesn't intersect NC. You don't hit NC on the 'inland' WDW route until you exit onto I-77 near Wytheville, VA, and head South for 30 miles. Just FYI.

And yes, ITA, the Biltmore Estate would be a nice tourist/historical thing to do. However, it is quite out of the way from the inland route.

 

[mjbaby]

Not a bad idea, but FYI to anyone considering this route:

You would have to stay on 81 down into TN, catching 26 between Kingsport and Johnson City, then head South to Asheville. 81 runs all the way down to Knoxville, TN but doesn't intersect NC. You don't hit NC on the 'inland' WDW route until you exit onto I-77 near Wytheville, VA, and head South for 30 miles. Just FYI.

And yes, ITA, the Biltmore Estate would be a nice tourist/historical thing to do. However, it is quite out of the way from the inland route.

As much as I'd love to visit Ashville - it's been on my list forever - I don't think we can be quite that flexible. It must be 77 that we've taken in the past through Carolinas and meeting up with 95 that way.

Great suggestions and thoughts, all - thanks and keep 'em coming!

 

[kidd_freeper]

We're leaving from Connecticut in three weeks.

I plan to take I95. But I will be monitoring traffic and I want to get to northern Virginia before 7 am.

If we leave later than planned (for whatever reason) so that I cannot make it to Virginia before 7am, I plan to take a less-travelled route:

I-81 to I-64
I-64 for about 10 miles
US6 south to US29
US29 to Greensboro, NC
then I73 to I95 (near NC/SC border)

Scenic, less traffic and only 50 minutes longer than taking I95. And just as quick as the I81/I77/I26/I95 route.

 

[sharadoc]

We're leaving from Connecticut in three weeks.

I plan to take I95. But I will be monitoring traffic and I want to get to northern Virginia before 7 am.

If we leave later than planned (for whatever reason) so that I cannot make it to Virginia before 7am, I plan to take a less-travelled route:

I-81 to I-64
I-64 for about 10 miles
US6 south to US29
US29 to Greensboro, NC
then I73 to I95 (near NC/SC border)

Scenic, less traffic and only 50 minutes longer than taking I95. And just as quick as the I81/I77/I26/I95 route.

I was looking at that route, too. Seems to make some sense.

 

[c.w.e.m.]

If you've never been over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, you might want to consider taking Rt 13 down thru the Eastern Shore of VA.

You could pick up 95 in Emporia, VA. That would put you south of Richmond, Washington, & Baltimore.

Just a thought...

 

[HarryLeg]

Sorry but living on the Easter Shore I hate 13. Traffic lights every few miles down the peninsula. Worst part of my trip in August will be 13 through the podunk towns that get me off of this peninsula. Still better than going 50 into the heart of the beast (DC)

 

[Emily'sDad]

After having travelled the 95 route from NY to FL probably 30+ times in my life we decided on a different route this May. 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 and I must say it was the most enjoyable drive to date. Much less stress, less traffic, beautiful scenery. I don't think I will use 95 again unless I am worried about winter weather.

 

[csatterfield]

On 95 South in Delaware take exit 1A and get on 301 South. This will take you to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolis. Stay on 50 West/301 South and when you get to Bowie, MD exit and continue on 301 South. Take the Nice Bridge over the Potomac River and continue until it connects with 95 just North of Richmond. Then take 295 around Richmond.

 

[pklein09]

We're going in August from Central Jersey. We're taking 4 days down and 3 days back.

Day 1 - I-95 through DC (using the Gladys Noon Spellman Parkway/295 right after the Ft. McHenry Tunnel) and we plan to stop at Monticello around lunch time. We're then headed to Salem, NC to stay overnight with friends.

Day 2 - Tour Old Salem in the morning, lunch with friends in Charlotte, and get to the outskirts of Atlanta for the evening.

Day 3 - Tour the Coke museum for the morning, and get as far into FL by the evening.

Day 4 - 8:30 am ADRs at Kona for Tonga Toast!!!


Coming home:

Day 1 - Leave Disney , tour St. Augustine in the morning, and get close to Charleston, SC.

Day 2 - Tour Charleston in the morning, head north to Williamsburg, VA, or so.

Day 3 - Head north via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and pick up our dog at my sister's in Pennsville, NJ (right over the Del Mem Br), and the head home.

We mapped this out a few weeks ago. I know we're not avoiding I-95 or the DC area, but we're not in a rush.

Have a great trip!!! Getting there is half the fun!

 

[loveysbydesign]

After having travelled the 95 route from NY to FL probably 30+ times in my life we decided on a different route this May. 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 and I must say it was the most enjoyable drive to date. Much less stress, less traffic, beautiful scenery. I don't think I will use 95 again unless I am worried about winter weather.

That's great to hear! we are driving for the 1st time...leaving at 3p.m. today and are taking that route!

 

[Missytara]

On 95 South in Delaware take exit 1A and get on 301 South. This will take you to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolis. Stay on 50 West/301 South and when you get to Bowie, MD exit and continue on 301 South. Take the Nice Bridge over the Potomac River and continue until it connects with 95 just North of Richmond. Then take 295 around Richmond.

Which would be one of the worst ways to go on a weekend in the summertime.

 

[Missytara]

Sorry but living on the Easter Shore I hate 13. Traffic lights every few miles down the peninsula. Worst part of my trip in August will be 13 through the podunk towns that get me off of this peninsula. Still better than going 50 into the heart of the beast (DC)

As much as people hate waiting at the lights through DE to get over towards the Bay Bridge Tunnel... I would take it over sitting on the Bay Bridge for several hours in backed-up traffic from DC/MD on a weekend.

 

[Uncleromulus]

It's pretty obvious that unless you are driving in the middle of the night, ALL the suggested routes have problems. BUt if you can time things to avoid the DC traffic, I'd take 95.
And try to see St Augustine--.