Route 95 VS 301-Around DC

[Rhody73]

We are leaving next saturday from RI to Florida. Shooting for first night in Roanoke Rapids NC. Last few times down on weekdays we have hit a major traffic jam around 3:00 just south of DC which stays bumper-bumper all the way to Fredericksburg. Lose at least an hour every time. One time we took 301 and it was about 45 minutes longer but clear sailing.

Since we are leaving on a Saturday this year, does south of DC still back up or should we stay w 301. Any college football backups on either route??

Any thoughts on either route are appreciated.

 

[NJRRK]

On a Saturday you will be much less likely to hit the bad traffic. My opinion for the best route is as follows. Note that this is MY OPINION, and others may disagree with me.

In Baltimore, after you come through the Ft. McHenry tunnel, take the exxit for 295, Baltimore-Washington Parkway, follow 295, it will change to the Anacostia freeway at some point, through DC and at the end it will connect with I-95 at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Stay on I-95 through VA, until just north of Richmond and take I-295 around Richmond connecting back with I-95 south of VA. As I said this is the way we go, especially on a weekend, and we usually don't hit horrible traffic, but an accident will throw a wrench into any trip.

As for football, on the NJ Tpk around exit 9, Oct 1-3 is homecoming weekend at Rutgers in New Brunswick NJ, so that will give you some traffic there. But since that isn't the best route in from NW NJ, we use I-287, it shouldn't be horrible

 

[msmayor]

The BW Parkway is not a route I'd ever consider...we've traveled it many times on our way to my sister's house and the backups there can be awful, especially because so much of it is only two lanes each direction.

I hate that highway far more than I-95.

 

[vicki_c]

The BW Parkway is not a route I'd ever consider...we've traveled it many times on our way to my sister's house and the backups there can be awful, especially because so much of it is only two lanes each direction.

I hate that highway far more than I-95.

I agree with that - well maybe not the hate part, but I wouldn't recommend that way to go. Staying on 95 would be better to me.

 

[NJRRK]

As I said, my opinion, others may disagree with me.

 

[GranddadTom]

As the OP pointed out - it's not the Beltway around Washington that is the problem (usually), it's the 30 miles of I-95 south of Washington. Fortunately for you the Saturday summertime traffic heading to the VA and NC beaches has gone away so going right down I-95 should work out fine for you. When to get onto the Washington Beltway (north of town) go to the East as there is a lot of construction on the western portion. If you get there on the Saturday afternoon you will be able to go the speed limit the whole way. The University of Maryland has a 6 pm home game next Saturday so you may see a little extra traffic right where I-95 comes into the Beltway but the extra traffic will be nothing like what the road handles on a workday. Relax - you'll get through Washington without any problems.

 

[dblr]

I like the 301 Rt a much nicer drive. I have used 95 also alot depends on the time of day, when we came back that way in July the south side was really backed up. Tune into 103.5 FM it is a news station that reports traffic on the 8's they usually are pretty good and also will give a way around a back up.

 

[barb969]

For mostly traffic free ride try the Delmarva route. After the Delaware Bridge head for rt 301. Follow 301 until the turn off for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Here do not take the bridge continue south on rt 50. I'm not sure of the route nbumbers from here. You want to keep heading south to the Chespeake Bridge Tunnel ( this is different from The Chesapeake Bay Bridge). After crossing you will be near Norfolk Va. Up to this point it is mostly 4 lane divided highway thru farmland. I don't know the best way to hook up with 95 so you'll need a map.

 

[Rhody73]

For mostly traffic free ride try the Delmarva route. After the Delaware Bridge head for rt 301. Follow 301 until the turn off for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Here do not take the bridge continue south on rt 50. I'm not sure of the route nbumbers from here. You want to keep heading south to the Chespeake Bridge Tunnel ( this is different from The Chesapeake Bay Bridge). After crossing you will be near Norfolk Va. Up to this point it is mostly 4 lane divided highway thru farmland. I don't know the best way to hook up with 95 so you'll need a map.

Thanks to the responders so far. That is the Route we took on weekdays the last 2 trips. It cuts back to 95 around Bowling Green Va. Acording to mapquest it is 5 miles shorter but about 45 minutes longer( traffic lights). I know there may be an additional delay w bridge repairs in Annapolis. The times we went 95 we hit 60+ minute delays on weekdays after 3:00pm.

 

[barb969]

My way is different. You crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolisand followed 301 south.
Don't cross the bridge. Stay on rt 13 to the Bridge Tunnel which will bring you near norfolk, VA,Completely missing Baltimore, D.C. and Richmond.

Get directions from Wilmington, De to Norflok, Va on Mapquest to see what I mean.
You would join 95 below Richmond somewhere near the North Carolina line.

As a bonus the Bridge Tunnel is a beautiful 12 mile ride with stopping places. Also if you like slot machines there are casinos in Dover, De and Harrington De.

 

[Missytara]

My way is different. You crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolisand followed 301 south.
Don't cross the bridge. Stay on rt 13 to the Bridge Tunnel which will bring you near norfolk, VA,Completely missing Baltimore, D.C. and Richmond.

Get directions from Wilmington, De to Norflok, Va on Mapquest to see what I mean.
You would join 95 below Richmond somewhere near the North Carolina line.

As a bonus the Bridge Tunnel is a beautiful 12 mile ride with stopping places. Also if you like slot machines there are casinos in Dover, De and Harrington De.

Ditto with taking the Bridge tunnel; it is a neat ride.

And I wouldn't have suggested Dover and Harrington slots LAST weekend, as we had the Nascar race in Dover then and you would have been stuck in some major traffic jams all the way through DE.

You are good now!

 

[mikehn]

Unfortunately, the corridor between DC and Richmond is probably the most congested in the entire country. Given that you'll be traveling on an autumn Saturday, I think 95 will still be the better route than the CBBT route. There's still lots of traffic heading down Maryland's eastern shore on the weekends.