If you are headed to D.C. area (or even southern Pennsylvania) a still-little-known route is I-70 East into Washington PA, then I-79 South to Morgantown WV and then I-68 through western Maryland. I-68 rejoins I-70 in Hancock MD south of the PA Turnpike. We have done it many times (used to live in Baltimore and kids in Indiana) and as recently as 2 weeks ago. No tolls, beautiful scenery, no winding, barrier-prone PA Turnpike and virtually the same distance...and less stressful.
Hank
GS Lifetime
2005 Mandalay DP
On the road in Fort Wayne, Indiana