Community Forums

RedRover37BA · 09-10-2019, 06:09 PM

Hi all, heading south soon from New England towards Georgia and would like to avoid 8 hours of traffic on 95 in Washington DC. Traveling in 40 foot bus with toad, any suggestions?

Thanks!

tbos1958 · 09-10-2019, 06:15 PM

I’d move over to I81 north of DC and once you are well South of DC you could move east to 95.

tps0424 · 09-10-2019, 06:21 PM

Take I-84 to Scranton, then take I-81 to I-66 to 17 which will get you back to I-95 just north of Fredericksburg, VA. You'll avoid a lot of traffic this way and a lot of tolls. It's longer mileswise, but shorter timewise.

arcaguy · 09-10-2019, 06:27 PM

Stop just north of Baltimore on Saturday night. Go to bed early. Leave between 4 and 5 AM and you should get through DC before anyone in that city wakes up. The only time I saw traffic in DC be reasonable when I lived there was when I went to the National Air and Space museum which opened at 10:00 on Sunday morning, thus my suggestion. Other than that plan, I'd drive through it in the middle of the night, actually early morning. They have to sleep sometime. Now that I think of it, another plan may be to go over to the Eastern Shore and take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/tunnel system across the Chesapeake Bay. Probably not cheap but a very pretty drive and likely some good seafood along the way. Just spit ballin' here.

rkresge · 09-10-2019, 07:08 PM

I'm agreeing with the I-81 option. Catch I-84 from MA over to Scranton PA, then I-81 south. You could do US 50/US 17 from Winchester VA over to Fredericksburg, or you could continue south and catch I-64 and rejoin I-95 at Richmond.

Be forewarned: avoid Hartford CT at both morning and afternoon rush hour!

Good luck!

Roger

RedRover37BA · 09-10-2019, 07:17 PM

Thanks all, great advice!

Dov327 · 09-11-2019, 12:44 PM

Traveling form Florida to Cherry Hill RV Park in October. Getting to DC area mid afternoon on a Friday. Was looking at getting off I95 at Ruther Glen and take 207 to 301 to 5 and back onto I 495.

Anybody have any thoughts to help me decide?

doc · 09-11-2019, 04:15 PM

Work your way over to I-81 and head south. Get on I-77 off 81 and south again. In Statesville NC get I-40 west and avoid all that traffic around the lake between Charlotte and Statesville. I-40 west to Hickory and get 321 south toward Lincolnton and Gastonia. In Gastonia, get I-85 thru SC and into Georgia.
We use that route a lot and the Charlotte traffic can be a bear, even with the 'new' bypass.
Not sure where you are headed in Georgia. If you are going thru Atlanta, the traffic can be a bear at certain times and days. If you are headed to South or Middle Ga, get off on US 441 in Commerce and can stay with it all the way to Florida if you are going that far. Lot of 441 is 4 lane divided some sections are still two lane however

Losthikers · 09-11-2019, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dov327

Traveling form Florida to Cherry Hill RV Park in October. Getting to DC area mid afternoon on a Friday. Was looking at getting off I95 at Ruther Glen and take 207 to 301 to 5 and back onto I 495.

Anybody have any thoughts to help me decide?

I would stay on I95 to the beltway to Rte1. Plan of arrival by 2pm latest. Seriously, off the road by 2pm. Fuel up in Virginia. Verify road closures. Be patient.

Dov327 · 09-12-2019, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Losthikers

I would stay on I95 to the beltway to Rte1. Plan of arrival by 2pm latest. Seriously, off the road by 2pm. Fuel up in Virginia. Verify road closures. Be patient.

OK thanks for advice. First trip to trip to that area so wasn't sure. Staying at South Of Border and was planning on leaving there early around 5 am and heading up. So should be hopefully there around noon or so.

Wrenchch3 · 09-12-2019, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dov327

Traveling form Florida to Cherry Hill RV Park in October. Getting to DC area mid afternoon on a Friday. Was looking at getting off I95 at Ruther Glen and take 207 to 301 to 5 and back onto I 495.

Anybody have any thoughts to help me decide?

I always take 295 around Richmond to 301 north to 5. Real good Smoother road that will have one section of 2 lane. Rest is 4 lane 50 MPH. There will be some traffic in Waldorf where you will PU 5.

Dov327 · 09-12-2019, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrenchch3

I always take 295 around Richmond to 301 north to 5. Real good Smoother road that will have one section of 2 lane. Rest is 4 lane 50 MPH. There will be some traffic in Waldorf where you will PU 5.

Thanks. I just hate getting stuck in stop and go traffic around DC if I don't have too.

Charming · 09-12-2019, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Losthikers

I would stay on I95 to the beltway to Rte1. Plan of arrival by 2pm latest. Seriously, off the road by 2pm. Fuel up in Virginia. Verify road closures. Be patient.

Great info and would have been perfect for our original plans. We reversed our trip and will be coming into Cherry Hill from the north on a Saturday and heading out on Monday, Veterans day.

Route suggestions?

Charming · 09-12-2019, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dov327

OK thanks for advice. First trip to trip to that area so wasn't sure. Staying at South Of Border and was planning on leaving there early around 5 am and heading up. So should be hopefully there around noon or so.

Depending on day of the week, you might want to plan a stop somewhere further north in NC. On our original plan we were leaving Myrtle Beach and overnighting somewhere between Roanoke Rapids, NC and Emporia, VA area before heading up to DC.