Two Rte 301 Questions for Drivers

[dingleberry]

I am wondering if these 2 routes are worth it. Coming from NH to WDW, I would be expecting to hit Delaware around 4:30 AM.

Would taking 301 across the Chesapeake and meeting 95 in Virginia be worth it? Skipping Baltimore and DC sounds like a great thing. However, I should be past DC by 6:30 AM, so maybe it doesn't matter??? Anybody ever take this route?


After a night's stop in SC, I expect to hit Jacksonville around 7:00 AM. The map search shows an option to leave 95 before Jax and take 301 to 75 down toward Orlando from the west. The map says this adds 35 minutes to the trip. Is this a better route for morning traffic than 95 and 4?

Thanks, all!

 

[vicki_c]

I can't speak to 301 for your plans, because we only take it starting south of Annapolis, but your comment about "after 6:30" regarding DC traffic is definitely misguided. Rush hour around DC is absolute gridlock until mid morning (say 10). So I didn't understand that comment. We like 301 to 95 instead of taking 495 around DC.

I've never done that other thing around Jacksonville, but you will hit traffic there at 7 am. Maybe wait a little longer before leaving SC, your arrival time might be the same in Orlando if you miss the worst Jacksonville traffic.

Assuming this is all weekdays you are talking about.

 

[Jimsig]

What day of the week are you planning on driving? Thinking you are planning on a week day but want to be sure.

You need to watch the speed traps on 301 in and around Waldo, FL if you choose that route. They are notorious.

 

[dingleberry]

I can't speak to 301 for your plans, because we only take it starting south of Annapolis, but your comment about "after 6:30" regarding DC traffic is definitely misguided. Rush hour around DC is absolute gridlock until mid morning (say 10). So I didn't understand that comment. We like 301 to 95 instead of taking 495 around DC.

I've never done that other thing around Jacksonville, but you will hit traffic there at 7 am. Maybe wait a little longer before leaving SC, your arrival time might be the same in Orlando if you miss the worst Jacksonville traffic.

Assuming this is all weekdays you are talking about.

What I meant is that if I stuck to 95, I would probably be hitting the 495 loop around DC by 6:30 AM. I was thinking this might just beat the rush hour. Maybe not though?

Monday morning

 

[dingleberry]

What day of the week are you planning on driving? Thinking you are planning on a week day but want to be sure.

You need to watch the speed traps on 301 in and around Waldo, FL if you choose that route. They are notorious.

It would be a Monday morning.

MapQuest says this route adds 35 minutes. Would I likely save this time by skipping Jax and Rte 4?

And thanks for the warning. Where's Waldo?

 

[dissupermom]

I took rt 13 from Delaware to Maryland to virginia

 

[dissupermom]

I took rt 13 from philly, all the way to Virginia, across the Chesapeake Bay bridge and then picked up 95s in VA. it was an easy ride and not much traffic. this was oct 2013. if do it again, as oppose the straight snooze down 95!!

 

[vicki_c]

What I meant is that if I stuck to 95, I would probably be hitting the 495 loop around DC by 6:30 AM. I was thinking this might just beat the rush hour. Maybe not though?

Monday morning

Rush hour starts around 6 am further out from DC (where you are talking about). That's what time I leave when commuting around the beltway. There's a lot of cars on the road even then. All of my around the beltway commuter neighbors leave by 6:30 am.

 

[GS for life]

Take 13S down the eastern shore of De/Md/Va across the bay bridge tunnel to Norfolk then to 64 West to 58 west. It will take you to 95S at emporia. I live in Norfolk, and my sister is in NH. This way avoids the Balitimore and DC area. After living 8 years in DC, the traffic is always bad.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[vicki_c]

Take 13S down the eastern shore of De/Md/Va across the bay bridge tunnel to Norfolk then to 64 West to 58 west. It will take you to 95S at emporia. I live in Norfolk, and my sister is in NH. This way avoids the Balitimore and DC area. After living 8 years in DC, the traffic is always bad.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Emporia, always our first stop for Starbucks on the way to FL.

 

[MillauFr]

I wouldn't bother detouring. I would just stay on I-95 the entire way. The interchange improvements at the Mixing Bowl in Springfield, VA and the new Wilson Bridge have significantly improved traffic flow on the Beltway.

 

[bookwormde]

For the northern part 301 adds an hour+.

As long as you make it to Wilmington by 4:30 you should have limited problems around DC, Richmond is another story.

If you have the time 301 is a nice drive, and you rejoin the route east of Richmond on 64 and then to the Richmond 95 (295?) bypass so you avoid most of that issues.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I agree with the PP about skipping 301. Adds WAY to much time!! Too many traffic lights...lower speed limits...and sometimes even really low speed limits of 25 as you go thru small towns!! PITA! And hope and pray there aren't any problems at the bay bridge cuz if there are, you're screwed.
95 is much better now....well at least IMO. GOOD LUCK!