Travel from NY to Virginia question

[Nana25K]

Originally Posted by jpmihalk

I-81 exits onto US 17 near Winchester VA and runs SSE across I-95 and down through Gloucester and Newport News to I-64 East about 10-15 minutes north of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel on I-64 that connects to Norfolk and eventually Virginia Beach.

Thanks for answering before I saw it

[MRUSA14]

Hmmm,, Streets and Trips shows going from Albany to Virginia Beach via Winchester, VA and Rte 17 is 645 miles. The same trip using the NY Thruway, Garden State Parkway, NJ Tpk and Rte 13 is 497 miles. Almost 150 miles difference!

I agree that the Winchetser VA route is a nice one, and avoids some congestion. I frequently go farther for a better trip, but I'm not sure I would want to increase my travel distance that much.

If the OP is coming from western NY then it would make more sense to me.

[jpmihalk]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

Hmmm,, Streets and Trips shows going from Albany to Virginia Beach via Winchester, VA and Rte 17 is 645 miles. The same trip using the NY Thruway, Garden State Parkway, NJ Tpk and Rte 13 is 497 miles. Almost 150 miles difference!

I agree that the Winchetser VA route is a nice one, and avoids some congestion. I frequently go farther for a better trip, but I'm not sure I would want to increase my travel distance that much.

If the OP is coming from western NY then it would make more sense to me.

I agree, which is why I would recommend the trip down the Eastern Shore via Del Rte 1 and US 13. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is a bit scary and the toll is steep, but it also cuts off a lot of traffic and miles.

[mikebreeze]

I live in northern Virginia and I avoid the DC Beltway as a rule. The I81 to US17 route sounds like a good alternative. I95 in MD is not bad north of Baltimore. I usually take the Baltimore beltway and shoot across I70 to US15 to avoid DC traffic. There are numerous alternatives. Just avoid I495, I95 between I495 and Fredericksburg, VA and I66 between DC and Haymarket, VA.

[Monkey Run]

Just arrived home from Bible study and a great ham dinner to all this wonderful advise. I need to fire up my new laptop to view the routes, my desktop is so old that the maps don't work well on it.

I was under the impression that propane was not permitted in tunnels.

[MRUSA14]

Not in the Baltimore tunnel, but okay on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

[Sue46]

We live in Williamsburg, VA and travel to the NYC area frequently. We go through West Point, VA to US 17, follow that to US 301 up to the Delaware Memorial Bridge and then either I295 or the NJ Turnpike north. This is a pleasant drive, not much traffic on 301 and 17 except around La Plata. If you are heading for the shore you would could take 17 into the Newport News area and the I64 to Virginia Beach. Make sure your propane is off as you have a tunnel to go through.

[Brianb131]

As most others have said, I would come down using 81-17-95-64.
However on the return trip, I would go 13 across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, up the Virginia Eastern Shore. This is a beautiful drive and is highly recommended as long as you have the option.
I live around DC, and we have too many Politicians and Cars... Gridlock in many forms.

[denverh]

If you use I-81 south there are 2 Cracker Barrels in Pa right off the interstate. The first is I-81 & SR34 in Carlisle,pa which is the first one you'll hit and the second and closer to the MD border is I-81 & Wayne Rd. in Chambersburg,PA. They allow overnighting and have RV spaces, food is good and girlfriend "saved" a bundle in gift shop. They have maintenance staff all night who check on the lot and keep an eye on things. Have stayed in many from New England to Florida and for an overnight they're great.
I've made that trip south from NJ several times and concur with using 13 and 301. You can stay on 13 and it will take you all the way to VA Beach. Spent lots of time there and Norfolk in the Navy. I tend to be not in a hurry and enjoy the scenery. Safe trip.

[Sue46]

I am surprised you stay at Crackerbarrel. We gave up on them 15-20 years ago. Agree they have some spots for RVs. Our experience was the spots were short, 4 wheelers occupied the spaces and there was rarely enough swing room for our rig. MDT+38' 5th, 53' overall.

[MRUSA14]

I agree that Cracker Barrels are not good for big rigs. But for the 32 foot and under crowd they are fine. Parking is limited, however, and often the RV spaces are taken up by cars.

[jpharley]

If you have a good GPS and paper directions, you should be ok going on I-495. It is a multi lane highway and we get in a middle lane until we get near our exit. Again, a good GPS that show lane selection is very handy. Don't travel during rush hour. Although is not our favorite area to drive in, we towed a 40 ft 5th wheel with our dually a bunch of times.

[Ghostman]

I live in the DC/Northern Va area and travel 95 everyday unfortunately. It all depends on what time and day you are traveling through. I've read plenty of options on routes you can take. The quickest and way with no tolls is 95 to 295 to 64. But again it depends on what time you making the drive. I avoid the bay bridge because I don't like to pay tolls on the rig with a toad.

[Monkey Run]

I'm attempting to sort through all of these routes and did find a Rand McNally free mapping site so my old machine works quite well with it.

Our location is almost half way between Rochester and Syracuse, in fact, I turn almost immediately onto the old Rt 14 at the end our our road. Traveling that way i.e. Rt, 14, 15, 81 to either (Gettysburg or Chambersburg for a place to sleep) I am familiar, that was our first trip with the motorhome. Would I gain a huge time savings by driving the 70 miles to Syracuse to catch 81 rather than taking the straight shot south?

Thinking about 81 South out of Gettysburg, from there to 17, to 95, but that entails a half loop around Richmond and the traffic etc I am not familiar with. Also may try that route along the coast on the way home but the info I read on the bridge and tunnel claim a regular two mile backup in traffic.