Trenton, NJ to WDW w/ Historic Stops on I-95 . Advice Please

[kc10family]

We will be traveling late January from the Trenton area to WDW via I-95. I would love opinions on places to stop/visit and or better roads to be on.

Our goal would be to leave about the 3p.m time frame due to the schedule of the day. Drive I-95 to the DC area and stay the night with a 3-4 hour visit to something cool in DC the nest day. Next drive the rest of the day and early evening to South Carolina or better yet Georgia and stay the night so we can visit some neat historic place and then drive on to WDW later that day and arrive late evening.

Any and all opinions and advice is welcome as this is our first trip down the east coast and the first trip to WDW. We are west coast people so this will be very interesting for us.

 

[sets14]

There is a great book called something like I Drive 95 or Drive 95 that lists what there is at each exit along 95. It would be a great resource to have to help you find cool spots along the way. Have fun!

 

[kc10family]

There is a great book called something like I Drive 95 or Drive 95 that lists what there is at each exit along 95. It would be a great resource to have to help you find cool spots along the way. Have fun!

Thank you sets14, I'll look that book up.

 

[GranddadTom]

We might see you on the road. My wife and I are driving from just north of Washington to Disney world in late January. We make the trip each January with friends. This year were spending two nights in Charleston, SC (love it there!) and two nights at the Disney Vacation Club resort in Hilton Head. In Charleston we will visit the Charleston museum on one day and the Middleton Plantation on the second day. In the past weve stopped in Savannah (make sure to eat at the Pirates House Restaurant) and St. Augustine (take the St. Augustine Gold tour  Peter is great. Avoid the Old Town Trolley Tour  very commercialized). There are lots of things to see in Washington  you can start at the Mall with the Capitol at one end and the Lincoln Memorial at the other. The Capitol has a wonderful new visitors center. And, of course, there are the museums of the Smithsonian right there on the Mall. There are several Metro stops right at the mall.

 

[happily single]

There is a great book called something like I Drive 95 or Drive 95 that lists what there is at each exit along 95. It would be a great resource to have to help you find cool spots along the way. Have fun!

I have that book and its very cool.

 

[RnbwSktles]

My family used to drive from NJ to WDW every year, but we never did any site seeing on those trips. Once we actually drove straight through with naps at rest areas

The traffic around DC is always insane, but if you are planning to visit, you obviously can't go around the area! I would stop at South of the Border, which is on the NC/SC border. You can't miss it.

If you don't mind a little detour, Charleston, SC is a beautiful city, as is Savannah GA. I would look up things to do in either of those and pick which one is more convenient to where you end up staying the night.

 

[kc10family]

After reading another thread about traffic in the DC area, DH is wondering if it is worth waiting on DC. Maybe a long weekend in DC would be best.

One thing I don't want to do is not see "something" in the lower southeast. The military will not keep us on the east coast forever and we should see "something" on our drive down. g

So now we wonder what's going to be the best time to leave and a cool place to see on the over night stay.

 

[gdrj]

After reading another thread about traffic in the DC area, DH is wondering if it is worth waiting on DC. Maybe a long weekend in DC would be best.

One thing I don't want to do is not see "something" in the lower southeast. The military will not keep us on the east coast forever and we should see "something" on our drive down. g

So now we wonder what's going to be the best time to leave and a cool place to see on the over night stay.

As a former NJ driver and current DC area resident here is what you need know and my recommendations:

1- On my experience you want to go 95 and either stay on 95 or take 295 just south of Baltimore. Pick-up 95 from 295 at the beltway exit will say Andrews AFB/Richmond VA (Do not stay on 295 as it heads inside the beltway towards DC, you can count on traffic and Traffic Speed Cameras while in DC)
2- In Virginia there is construction from Springfield to Stafford, lane closures have been minimal but can definitely impact.
3- DC area listen to 103.5 traffic reports on the every 10 minutes on the "8's".
4- The HOV lanes on 95 South (Springfield)are for three or more riders after 3:30 PM, anyone can use them prior. While they can be backed up at first they usually are quicker than regular lanes- listen to traffic report to see if there are any accidents.
5- Ideally you want to be SOUTH of Springfield VA by 2 PM, 3 PM at the latest. During rush hour traffic can be at a crawl from mm 170 to mm 133.
6- If traveling on a Friday this is even more important. If it is a holiday weekend leave earlier!
7- I would plan another weekend for a DC trip