Rte. 270 Loop Around Richmond, VA. Question

[Bill From PA]

When driving to and from Myrtle Beach on I95 last week I noticed signs for a loop around Richmond on route 270. Does it ever make sense to use this? I'm always more interested in saving time over the mileage.

Bill From PA

 

[Uncleromulus]

Bill:
Can't say I've ever noticed that route. I know that I-295 goes around Richmond, and it's what we always use. Can't imagine any other by-pass (off I-95) that would be any easier to take.

 

[Bill From PA]

Uncleromulus,

Come to think of it, I got the route number wrong, it was I-295. Both coming and going, we pass through there in the wee hours and my fatigued brain mis-filed the route. Traffic is not bad at that hour, so I was wondering if there was any benefit to taking the detour.

Bill From PA

 

[Mark P.]

Lol, was wondering where that rt. 270 was...

We drove down in 2001, and took the I-295 bypass around Richmond just to be safe, and it wasn't a bit of trouble whatsoever - Easy off 95, and easy to get back on.

I'm not sure as to how much time we 'lost' in taking the bypass, but I'm guessing maybe a half hour or slightly longer.

-Mark

 

[izzy]

Bill,

It is I-295, and if you are going during non-rush hour times, I would just stay on I-95 and not worry about doing the bypass. You'll probably save yourself at least a 1/2 hour by not taking the bypass. However, if it's during rush hours (6:30-9:00 a.m. or 3:30-6:00 p.m. M-F), I would probably take the bypass. It used to be that the bypass wasn't used all that much, but the past few times I've been on it, it's been just about, if not more, busy than going straight through Richmond on I-95.

Hope this helps!

Izzy

 

[MulanMom]

I think the difference in mileage is I-295 is about 25 miles longer and the posted speed limit is higher. Using the route can avoid congestion during Richmond's rush hour or if construction is going on.

It's interesting. Traffic used to bog down so much on I-95 due to the numerous tolls between Petersburg and through Richmond. Once I-295 was complete, the tolls on 95 were removed!!!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Interesting--!
The trucks mostly still seem to use I-95 direct..very little truck traffic on 295 the times we use it.
We get on 295 every time we go t Williamsburg, so on the way to WDW, it seemd the logical route to take.
It does add a few more miles and some more time to the trip, but the pleasat, hassle-free driving more than makes up for it.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

I agree with izzy - during rush hour it will more than likely end up saving you time if you take the 295 bypass. Otherwise, it is usually quicker to just take 95 straight through Richmond.

 

[cpl100]

Thanks for that tip. I will add it to my ever growing list saved on the computer for the soon-to-be first drive to Disney.