Thanksgiving traffic

[SafariTigger]

I have a friend who is going to drive from NJ to WDW leaving the day before Thanksgiving, probably staying overnight somewhere and then checking in on Thanksgiving Day. For anyone that has done this before, how bad is this going to be for her? I have seen the traffic from MA to NJ and it wasn't pretty. I just want to give her a realistic idea of what she in for.

 

[rwdavis2]

It will probably be awful. Just getting out of NJ into Maryland will be slow. But it all depends on when. If she leaves just after NJ morning rush hour that will make things abit better. Gets her over the Delaware Memorial Bridge, around Baltimore, and then the DC beltway between am/pm rush hours. IMHO, NJ will be the worst then DC. I would tell her to take either side of the DC beltway and not I-295 through DC.

 

[mrsap]

I have a friend who is going to drive from NJ to WDW leaving the day before Thanksgiving, probably staying overnight somewhere and then checking in on Thanksgiving Day. For anyone that has done this before, how bad is this going to be for her? I have seen the traffic from MA to NJ and it wasn't pretty. I just want to give her a realistic idea of what she in for.

We are also leaving Wed. before Thanksgiving (and driving from NJ to WDW). I think it all depends on what time they leave. The key is to try and avoid Washington traffic. I think if they can get past that area without a problem, the rest of the trip should be good. Enjoy!

 

[SafariTigger]

She has a half day of work that day and probably will be on the road by about 11:30-12:00. I hope it won't be too horrible - she will have 3 kids, her husband and her parents with her!

 

[rwdavis2]

She has a half day of work that day and probably will be on the road by about 11:30-12:00. I hope it won't be too horrible - she will have 3 kids, her husband and her parents with her!

Where is she starting from? She will most likely hit the start of DC rush hour. The late start may cost her about an hour delay getting around DC. There's no way to avoid the extra time when driving from NJ. You can head farther west and take I-81 but that adds a lot of time as well. All interstates will probably have heavy traffic as you head south.

My best advice, have her call in sick and leave earlier.

 

[SafariTigger]

She will be coming from central jersey - parkway exit 91 - I'm not sure taking off that Wednesday is an option unfortunately. If it is only really rough until past DC that's not too bad. I thought it might be bumper to bumper the whole way!

 

[double r]

They can take the 301 route from De. thru Md. then pick up 95 at exit 104 which is just above Kings Dominion. That way avoids DC but there are a few spots with traffic lights to slow them some, that's the way we go all the time from De. both with the camper and without.