Boston to Williamsburg VA

US 301 in Virginia is not a bad drive, but there are sections with stoplights every 30 feet - more up towards the LaPlata end than down south near Richmond. 301 and I-95 roughly parallel damn near all the way to Jacksonville, then it heads SW over towards Sarasota, IIRC.

Edit : Now that I think, the LaPlata-Waldorf congestion is in Maryland, isn't it? So you should be fine. Still may see a stoplight or three, but it's an interesting drive, and it's four lanes much of the way.

I'm thankful for all the suggestions. We've got the Heritage Campground booked (good prices and seem like nice folks).

Here's another route given to us by a GS Chapter member who used to live in the greater DC area.

Comments?

Take the MA turnpike(I-90)west to Hwy 87 in NY. Then down 87 south to catch 287 in NJ. Then to the New Jersey turnpike. Take the beltway around Baltimore then in DC pick up 301 connecting with I-95 s. of Fredericksburg, then to I-64.

Bob McCoy

JamesBr wrote:
Yeah, you got me there. I meant to say head east.

The delmarva route is not bad, but since they are trying to avoid the toll corridor by leveraging I84.

Exactly. For people like me who live south of Philly and East of Wilmington DE, it's an easy hop skip and jump to the CBBT, and I still get a kick of out the little towns in Virginia along US 13 - Melfa, Painter, Exmore, and the ever popular Temperanceville. :)

Yeah, you got me there. I meant to say head east.

The delmarva route is not bad, but since they are trying to avoid the toll corridor by leveraging I84.

JamesBr wrote:
Another option is you could take US15 from PA down through VA (it combines with US29) till I64 and head west.

If they head WEST after connecting with I-64 won't they be heading AWAY from Williamsburg?...

Another way is to take the DelMarVa peninsula route, US 13/113 and then the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Only problem with this route is getting to the DelMarVa - skirting Philly to the west takes you away from it. And there's no really good route from I-83 east towards US 13/113 except I-695 east around Towson and then I-95 North for a couple dozen miles to the Wilmington DE area. That stretch of I-95 is not bad, it's only Baltimore and south that it gets crazy...

Great input. That's the good thing about these forums. I have two MG forums for help on my old hobby car. You get really good advice.

I'm assuming the routes suggested are very doable in two days unless you make side trips.

The caverns is a wonderful suggestion. My wife just loves caverns and the grandkids really haven't been to any.

Again, thanks.

Bob/NH

I would second taking I81 to I64 which will combine with I295 outside richmond and split back off. There is one big grade on I64 before you cross US15, but it is not that bad.

Another option is you could take US15 from PA down through VA (it combines with US29) till I64 and head west. It is not an all highway route and there are lights involved, but it reconnects with I64 east of the large grade. I64 is a spring/summer route to VA beach, so expect heavy traffic on a friday afternoon eastbound and then westbound on a sunday. Otherwise, the path is not that bad to take.

Another alternative you could use and avoid 90% of the DC area traffic is I81 to I66 to US17, it will drop you on I95 in Fredricksburg and avoid most of the DC traffic, from there you connect with I295 to I64 east of Richmond.

I would take I81 down to Stanton VA, pickup I64 and follow it right to Williamsburg. Get off at exit 231A, Heritage is about a mile down the road (good signage). One of the perks of staying at Heritage is; they give you fresh homemade cookies as part of your welcome package... along with other discount tickets and standard affair.

It's about 10 miles further down I64 to Jamestown Colony and a little further on to Yorktown Battlefield. I think they call it the "Heritage Triangle" well worth visiting.

We stopped at Luray VA on the way back with the grandkids. The caverns were "awesome" (to quote the kids)... and just a short hop up to the "Blue Ridge" parkway for some spectacular views. We stayed at the Luray KOA, what a nice, well run campground with pastorals views (being a farm boy from Vermont I sat in my chair with a cold drink and watch the boys hay a field like I've never seen before. What they did in a couple of hours would have taken my farther with 2 farmhands 2 days to do. I'll be staying there again). They also gave us discount tickets to the Caverns.

Thanks all,
Thomas, we stayed at the KOA Jonestown several years ago. Spent a day or so in the area then off to St. Louis with the same grandkids. A good place. Thanks for the American Heritage recommendation.

So, do you connect to I-81 via I-66? Or do you use I-64?

Thanks,
Bob

RMcCoy wrote:
I'm planning a trip with grandchildren from Boston to Williamsburg in July. I tow a 27' 5th wheel. I know parts of this question have been answered but what is the best route? I plan to make this a 2 day trip not a marathon.

Obviously the George Washington and Cross Bronx are to be avoided. I've seen posts that taking I84 to Scranton then down via Harrisburg to Fredericksburg, then into Williamsburg. Word is it adds about an hour but is worth it.

Other thoughts welcome.

Bob

I'm heading to DC in just over a week and this is the route I am taking.