Avoiding Washington and Baltimore on I 95

I haven't used 95 through Balt. and DC in the last 6 or 7 years. The route you have 896, 301, 207 is the best way to avoid the area.

I just did Myrtle Beach in October and that was my route, both down and back. By the time you add 896 around Baltimore and the monster jam south of DC, 301 is quicker, even dealing with the traffic signals.

Bill

I just drove from MD to southern VA and back Tuesday and Wednesday. On the way down, I took 301 to Bowling Green to 95. On the way back I went straight up 95. Both trips were done between 10AM and 2PM. Both trips took about 3.5 hours due to stops (it is 192 miles between start and ending points).

I avoid 95S through NoVA because I have never not seen it a parking lot at one point or another.

It seems they are extending the HOV lanes or doing some such construction on both sides on and off for about 40 miles. While going north on 95, I noticed HUGE backups going south, even with the HOV lanes open, due to the lane closures.

I have driven this stretch of road at least 6 times a year - we just sold our farm in the Smithfield area - for the last 16 years. Unless it is after 9PM, I always take 301 going south.

I recommend using 295 over 95 through Richmond. The traffic is lighter (except around the junction with 64), the speed is higher, the road is marginally smoother.

I also recommend an App called Waze. People are constantly updating information and one can look ahead at the route to see problem areas (construction, accidents, traffic, radar traps, etc.).

The speed limit through Fort AP Hill is 55. I went 65 and was passed by many cars and trucks. (The smaller towns like Port Royal do lower the speed limit in town to 45, but it lasts a mile or two).

Good luck. 5:30PM is the second worst time to be approaching Baltimore with the intention of passing through. If you could delay it an hour, your time would be much improved.

Do all states allow campers in the HOV lanes? I don't even know if Connecticut has any regulations about that.

VA law is anything 20 over the limit regardless of the posted limit is reckless and mandatory appear. Anything less you send them the money admitting guilt and that's the end of it. Like the man said, where's the fire?

I would rather take 95 myself. I would just leave a little later or as some one else said stop and have dinner.

trailertraveler wrote:
While it probably is not the fastest, from Neptune to Darlington is 590 miles taking the Ferry to Lewes and then US-13, US-58 and US-258 connecting to I-95 around Rocky Mount North Carolina. This avoids the Philadelphia/Wilmington area, Baltimore, D.C. and Richmond. To me it is a lot less stressful drive than I-95 and all the beltways, but we are never in a hurry.

As per my reply.....ANY way other than I-95 is the best.

While it probably is not the fastest, from Neptune to Darlington is 590 miles taking the Ferry to Lewes and then US-13, US-58 and US-258 connecting to I-95 around Rocky Mount North Carolina. This avoids the Philadelphia/Wilmington area, Baltimore, D.C. and Richmond. To me it is a lot less stressful drive than I-95 and all the beltways, but we are never in a hurry.

The construction on 95 south of DC is terrible. Near Quantico the traffic is normally at a standstill until at least 7:30.

Having driven pretty much all of those routes over the years, I would do about ANYTHING to avoid I-95 around Baltimore and DC!! I would use the 301 route and if I could, I would stop and eat dinner and not hit those areas until 6:30 or 7:30 instead of 5:30 and 6:30!!

No RVs through either the Harbor Tunnel or Ft McKenry Tunnel. There are propane prohibitions on both of those. You have 2 choices, either go around 695 to the West and reconnect with I95 or 695 to the East over the Key Bridge and reconnect with I95. Far less traffic on the Key Bridge route that time of day. The West side of Baltimore on 695 is brutal from 3:00 to 6:30.

If you do indeed arrive at the VA line around 7 pm, you should do well. I think you will be even later than that since you will most likely hit a 45 minute delay getting through DE on 95. The corporate office for a company I used to work for was North-West of Philly and I had to travel that corridor more than I cared to. Whether you take 95 or 495 through DE, it will be a parking lot at 5 pm. By the time you get to the 896 interchange, traffic has picked back up to speed usually.

If you do choose 301, be very careful on the segment between Port Royal and Bowling Green. The speed limit is something like 45 on a lot of that section through Fort AP Hill and is patrolled by military police that don't believe that 46 mph is any less guilty than 56 mph. Actually be careful anywhere in VA especially on I95 South of Richmond in the 70 mph zones. Most tickets there require a court appearance and the possibility of a several thousand dollar fine. If I remember correctly, my sister-in-law ended up with something like a $300 fine and another $350 for an attorney to appear in court for her. I really hate traveling in VA!