North thru/around Wasington DC

ACZL wrote:

ferndaleflyer wrote:
I go up through DC all the time but here is the trick. Have an EZ pass and time your travel to get in the North bound I-95 HOV lanes BEFORE 11 am while they are still running North. I go straight through DC on 395 to 295,to Baltimore Washington Parkway, to I-695 West to I-83 North to I-81. But from FL avoid it all by taking I-95 to I-26 in SC. Take that to Columbia and pick up I-77 up to I-81 in Wythville, VA to Scranton PA and hit I-84 East. You can pick your route from there to miss NYC, Conn, and all that mess depending on where you are going in Mass.

By going this way, you can stop and have a cup of Joe w/ FTG! LOL.

Seriously tho, sound advice from FTG and ferndaleflyer. When we went to FL from CNY 2 years ago, I think it was NC & SC that were in process of making tolls roads via route fernadleflyer mentioned. If they still are, try to hit these areas as well during non peak times, otherwise nice ride.

FTG & ferndale, any confirmation on the toll road thing??

The section below DC Draw bridge has EZ Pass- express lanes BUT... BUT they are 2 axle vehicles only.. ask me how I know... I jumped in those lanes pulling my Redwood and made it 5 miles.. was pulled over and received a citation. Didn't cost me any points, just a choice..
#1 - pay the $250 fine and be done with it
#2 - take the day off, and spend the day in the Manasass court system and hope they lessen the $$$

As ferndale stated, the North Bound EZ pass lanes close around 10:30-11:00.. while you cannot use them,, they do take a bunch or traffic off the regular road..I travel between our office in NE Philly and our office in Richmond VA about every 4-5 weeks and I can count on 1 hand how many times I avoided 95...

I am 2 hours south east of Scranton... in a northern suburb of Philly

ferndaleflyer wrote:
I go up through DC all the time but here is the trick. Have an EZ pass and time your travel to get in the North bound I-95 HOV lanes BEFORE 11 am while they are still running North. I go straight through DC on 395 to 295,to Baltimore Washington Parkway, to I-695 West to I-83 North to I-81. But from FL avoid it all by taking I-95 to I-26 in SC. Take that to Columbia and pick up I-77 up to I-81 in Wythville, VA to Scranton PA and hit I-84 East. You can pick your route from there to miss NYC, Conn, and all that mess depending on where you are going in Mass.

By going this way, you can stop and have a cup of Joe w/ FTG! LOL.

Seriously tho, sound advice from FTG and ferndaleflyer. When we went to FL from CNY 2 years ago, I think it was NC & SC that were in process of making tolls roads via route fernadleflyer mentioned. If they still are, try to hit these areas as well during non peak times, otherwise nice ride.

FTG & ferndale, any confirmation on the toll road thing??

I go up through DC all the time but here is the trick. Have an EZ pass and time your travel to get in the North bound I-95 HOV lanes BEFORE 11 am while they are still running North. I go straight through DC on 395 to 295,to Baltimore Washington Parkway, to I-695 West to I-83 North to I-81. But from FL avoid it all by taking I-95 to I-26 in SC. Take that to Columbia and pick up I-77 up to I-81 in Wythville, VA to Scranton PA and hit I-84 East. You can pick your route from there to miss NYC, Conn, and all that mess depending on where you are going in Mass.

Depending on the day and time, I drive straight through on 95 with no problems....

You really need to plan...running West 64 and North on 81 will add a lot of time and miles If that is a concern...

If you have NO SCHEDULE, go that way.
OR Just north of Richmond hop onto 301.. 301 N to 301 N/50 E .. cross the Bay Bridge... 301 N to Rt 1 North and back on 95 at Wilmington DE

Avoid DC at all costs. At Richmond, VA take I64 to I81 and run up thru PA.
I495 around DC is the worst highway ever to have to drive on.