Best route between Washington DC and Boston Mass.

[Pepper2]

I'm a little concerned with driving Rt. 95 due to the heavy traffic I'll encounter.

Can anyone suggest an alternative route or is my concern unfounded.

[Sue46]

I don't blame you. If you have the time go I81 and then work your way back to the coast.

[shellback2]

I’m not sure that there is a best route. Each one has its good points and bad. If you can plan your travel so that you are able to avoid the problem areas at peak traffic times that may help. I’m still looking for the ideal solution. The same thing applies to Chicago. I’m still looking for a best way there too.

Safe travel!

[TonyDi]

I just came through DC on my way home on Tuesday. At 2:00 there was no traffic. It's all a question of timing. Just avoid peak travel hours.

[docj]

We've traveled on the East Coast many times and NEVER try to drive the MH up the I-95 corridor. The last time we went to Boston we took I-81 up along the west side of the Appalachians connecting with I-84 around Scranton. IMHO you really want to avoid the NYC area. Boston itself isn't all that RV-friendly and finding an RV park isn't all that easy.

Although my route may see circuitous, if you play with Google Maps and Navigation you will find that it's not all that much longer and that's not counting the inevitable delays on I-95 because of traffic and/or accidents.

[Eastham]

2:00 am or pm? We always go the 81 to 84.only one toll $1.00 and a lot more enjoyable. A little longer but worth it.

[TonyDi]

Originally Posted by Eastham

2:00 am or pm? We always go the 81 to 84.only one toll $1.00 and a lot more enjoyable. A little longer but worth it.

We went through at 2:00 pm. Was able to do the speed limit all the way from DC to The Delaware Memorial bridge.

[KenZ71]

95 stinks, too many tolls & traffic.

81 is much easier & scenic.

Set GPS for Harrisburg PA to Tarrytown NY to Boston

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Neal-

We have driven between DC and the Northeast on several different routes. All have pluses and minuses.

If you are starting from south of DC, the "western" routes (for example, 81 to 84) are viable options. We went that way once; we found more trucks than we liked, and it extended our travel by one day. Lots of folks like that route, though.

We prefer to enter and leave DC on a weekend. If we can't do that, then we prefer to transit the area at midday.

Here is the (south-to-north) route that has risen to the top of the heap for us:

95 north to Delaware Memorial Bridge
(We prefer the Beltway east around Baltimore, crossing the F.S. Key Bridge)
Cross the Del Mem Br and take exit 1 (?) to 295 north (avoiding NJ Turnpike)
295 north to Ewing, NJ
31 and 202 north to 287 north at Somerville NJ
287 north to 87 north at Suffern NY
87 north to 912M (Mass Pike Extension) east at Selkirk, NY
912M east to 90 (Mass Pike) east at North Chatham, MA

[Sue46]

If you go I95 remember you dan't go through the Baltimore tunnel..........

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Pepper2

I'm a little concerned with driving Rt. 95 due to the heavy traffic I'll encounter.

Can anyone suggest an alternative route or is my concern unfounded.

As long as you are on the East Coast you will have traffic - only thing that might help is Timing.

We have gone through just about every possibility and the fact is even when you try to Go Around Timing is Still Critical.

Talk to locals - Beach traffic - Weekends Ski Traffic - Truck Traffic - Tolls - Construction - .............................the list just goes on and on.

In the East we tend to Add a Lot of People and Very few Roads.

So all we can do is wish you luck,

[Pepper2]

Thanks for the replies! Were in no hurry, so we'll be following the Rt 95 to 83 to 81 route.

Thank's again!

[jeepfreak]

Just be aware that 81 is a major truck route. So be prepared.

[docj]

Originally Posted by jeepfreak

Just be aware that 81 is a major truck route. So be prepared.

Yes, there are a lot of trucks on 81, but when the alternative is the Jersey Turnpike and the George Washington Bridge, I'd want to stay on 81.