The only "congestion" I find on 17 is in the construction area in Fredericksburg, and at times there is a large backup to get onto I-95. If you are not in a RV, just go straight across the bridge over I-95 and take a left into a motel parking lot and do a Uey and catch I-95 south bound from the East. I drive that section a couple of times a month and it has never been so bad that I would drive out of my way to avoid it. they are making some progress on all of the road construction in fredericksburg and that should be better soon.
bumpy