We have gone from Kingston area of ny to keys and doing route 31 and cutting over on 64 east in Richmond adds about 100 miles. To me it seems longer but the ride is much nicer. Gas is cheaper too.
Conversely we have also done route 95 during the night hours...arranging to overnight at the Virginia welcome center about 1/2 hour past DC...getting there around 11 pm. At any rate we don't do balt/dc during daylight hours as it is too congested and not fun.
Try both...NJ will also be very congested...