Forum Discussion

averity's avatar
averity
Explorer
Oct 27, 2014

I-95 in New Jersey

Starting to plan our middle Jan 2015 trip to Florida from Northern Vt, towing a 26' TT, with the best route around NYC. In the past we have taken I-87 (NYS Thruway) to I-287 (in New Jersey) to I-78 across Penn to I-81 south, but this has lots of traffic in Jersey/Penn and some big hills around Allentown which in poor winter weather can be nasty. I have read on this forum that folks pick up I-95 off of I-287 in New Jersey then go south, avoiding the bad NYC traffic. I have also read on forums about getting on 301 southwest of Wilmington, DE, and staying on it to a bit north of Richmond, VA. Obviously not as fast as the I-95 all the way route, and includes tolls, but seems to avoid a lot of high traffic areas. So, looking for some tips about traveling south in the winter, including how to swing around Washington,DC and get back onto I-95 south? Any advice will be appreciated.
Roads and Routes
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Oct 27, 2014
    For a change sometimes we take 1 just south of Wilmington and then 13 to Virginia Beach and then back to 95. We have also taken US 17 all the way from VA to FL but you can't beet 81 if all you want to do is go south.
  • alfredmay's avatar
    alfredmay
    Explorer
    Oct 27, 2014
    In Jan hug the coast for flat terrain and mildest temps

    I-287 til it ends at the NJ Turnpike
    Turnpike south to Del Memorial Bridge
    Cross Bridge anf Follow I-95 south in Del to Del Route 896 South
    896 til it joins with US 301
    Follow 301 to Bowling Green, VA and pick up VA State Route 207
    207 to I-95
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Oct 27, 2014
    alfredmay wrote:
    In Jan hug the coast for flat terrain and mildest temps

    I-287 til it ends at the NJ Turnpike
    Turnpike south to Del Memorial Bridge
    Cross Bridge anf Follow I-95 south in Del to Del Route 896 South
    896 til it joins with US 301
    Follow 301 to Bowling Green, VA and pick up VA State Route 207
    207 to I-95


    X2 - - EXCEPT - - watch for the southern storms.. last year parts of DC , MD and VA received as much snow or winter weather as us at times... the lower part of 301 would not be my favorite during a snow fall.. I think that I would feel a bit safer on the highway..
  • Richmcm's avatar
    Richmcm
    Explorer
    Oct 28, 2014
    ford truck guy wrote:
    alfredmay wrote:
    In Jan hug the coast for flat terrain and mildest temps

    I-287 til it ends at the NJ Turnpike
    Turnpike south to Del Memorial Bridge
    Cross Bridge anf Follow I-95 south in Del to Del Route 896 South
    896 til it joins with US 301
    Follow 301 to Bowling Green, VA and pick up VA State Route 207
    207 to I-95


    X2 - - EXCEPT - - watch for the southern storms.. last year parts of DC , MD and VA received as much snow or winter weather as us at times... the lower part of 301 would not be my favorite during a snow fall.. I think that I would feel a bit safer on the highway..


    X3 except after the Del Memorial Bridge I would take route 13 which truns into route 1 to which turns into 113 which turns back into 13 to the Cheasapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to 58 west to 95 south. This will bring you out to 95 in south VA. The only down side is going through Norfolk VA. We go this way to the FL keys and it is by far the most traffic free way we have gone for the last 20 years. Once you are on 95 south in NC it is a cleaner drive down south.
  • averity's avatar
    averity
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    Thanks for the helpful replies. One question - using 301 south how much of the Washington DC confusion does this avoid?
  • The_Painting_Te's avatar
    The_Painting_Te
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    For a change of pace when heading south, we get off the NJ Trnpk at Exit 5 and head west for about a mile. Then we jump on Rte 295 south, which parallels the NJ Pike all the way to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Rte 295 has less traffic, it's free, and runs through quiet countryside. Camp on!
  • esyers's avatar
    esyers
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    You miss all of the Washington traffic if you follow 301. You will hit a little traffic around Annapolis and there are traffic lights and shopping centers in Waldorf, MD, but other than that, it's pretty clear.,

    I drove this last Dec. 26 when a dusting of snow had the speedsters spinning all over 95. It was clear sailing all the way on 301.
  • djsamuel's avatar
    djsamuel
    Nomad
    Oct 30, 2014
    The_Painting_Teacher wrote:
    For a change of pace when heading south, we get off the NJ Trnpk at Exit 5 and head west for about a mile. Then we jump on Rte 295 south, which parallels the NJ Pike all the way to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Rte 295 has less traffic, it's free, and runs through quiet countryside. Camp on!


    +1 I grew up in South Jersey and would definitely choose 295 over the Turnpike.
  • alfredmay's avatar
    alfredmay
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2014
    I gave the original intructions on the route south. I also use I-295 at exit 5 for the same reasons stated by others. I left it off the original instructions as I wanted to make the trip as simple as possible. IMO it saves money but not time or distance.
  • averity's avatar
    averity
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2014
    Some really great real life info from you folks that tour books don't give. A few more questions about the 301 portion - how are gas stations for easy access with a TT being towed? Also if weather is really cold and an overnight in a motel needed any tips on ones with large parking lots? Thanks again.

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