I see on a post and the PA highway site that US 15 Southbound is only one lane from around Gettysburg to the MD line.I was planning to take this on a Monday early July pulling 27'FW. Ultimate destination Williamsburg.1. Is this a big conjestion?2. Any suggested alternates? I-81 appears okay from Harrisburg south.3. Does this continue in MD also?Thanks in advance.

I'd consider 81 to 17 to I-95 south of the DC area at Fredericksburg. if you keep on 15 you will hit I-270 and the washington beltway, both of which are dreadful.bumpy

We took Rt. 15 south out of PA just a few weeks ago and they were getting ready for the lane closure. Short answer - it may depend on the time of day and how far south you are going. Rt. 15 becomes one lane further south anyway. We had no issues - that was a Saturday late morning.

The U.S. 15 work ends just before the Maryland line. I travel 15 every day on a 5 mile section in the work zone. Only one time has the speed dropped below the posted 55 mph work zone speed. I would not be concerned about traffic on 15 in the work zone as much as below 270 going into the "mixing bowl"

bhall wrote:The U.S. 15 work ends just before the Maryland line. I travel 15 every day on a 5 mile section in the work zone. Only one time has the speed dropped below the posted 55 mph work zone speed. I would not be concerned about traffic on 15 in the work zone as much as below 270 going into the "mixing bowl"yep, if he goes that route, the one lane section work zone will be the least of his problems. :)bumpy

Either 15 all the way south until you join US 17 south to I95 at Fredericksburg.Or follow I81 south to I66 east to US17 south. We always use the latter route when traveling north.Just avoid DC.

US 15 S Lane Closure, Gettysburg to MD | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
RMcCoy wrote:

But, from what I can gather that route can be a real challenge. I'm guessing traffic on the beltways etc.

Bob

If you want to see what 270 and the beltway feel like, just crawl a mile on crushed glass.
bumpy
RMcCoy
Explorer
Jun 14, 2014
The great things about forums is you get a lot of informed advise. Thanks all. I hadn't considered 17 before but it looks logical. I was considering taking I-270 from Frederick MD to the beltway.

But, from what I can gather that route can be a real challenge. I'm guessing traffic on the beltways etc.

I love the "mixing bowl" term.

Bob
Drbolasky
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
Yep, what bumpy said.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
docj wrote:
Drbolasky wrote:
Rt. 15 becomes one lane further south anyway.

Rt15 was a 4-lane road all the way from Harrisburg to Frederick the last time I drove it. Where are you experiencing a 2-lane stretch other than in the construction zone?

south of Frederick to Leesburg and S of 66.
bumpy
docj
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
Drbolasky wrote:
Rt. 15 becomes one lane further south anyway.

Rt15 was a 4-lane road all the way from Harrisburg to Frederick the last time I drove it. Where are you experiencing a 2-lane stretch other than in the construction zone?
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
2hams wrote:
Either 15 all the way south until you join US 17 south to I95 at Fredericksburg.

Or follow I81 south to I66 east to US17 south. We always use the latter route when traveling north.

Just avoid DC.

yep, and if taking 17 south at Opal do not follow GPS directions, they have changed the intersection. to straight thru and take a right to overpass to 17 East.
bumpy
2hams
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
Either 15 all the way south until you join US 17 south to I95 at Fredericksburg.

Or follow I81 south to I66 east to US17 south. We always use the latter route when traveling north.

Just avoid DC.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 12, 2014
bhall wrote:
The U.S. 15 work ends just before the Maryland line. I travel 15 every day on a 5 mile section in the work zone. Only one time has the speed dropped below the posted 55 mph work zone speed. I would not be concerned about traffic on 15 in the work zone as much as below 270 going into the "mixing bowl"

yep, if he goes that route, the one lane section work zone will be the least of his problems. :)
bumpy
bhall
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
The U.S. 15 work ends just before the Maryland line. I travel 15 every day on a 5 mile section in the work zone. Only one time has the speed dropped below the posted 55 mph work zone speed. I would not be concerned about traffic on 15 in the work zone as much as below 270 going into the "mixing bowl"
Drbolasky
Explorer
Jun 11, 2014
We took Rt. 15 south out of PA just a few weeks ago and they were getting ready for the lane closure. Short answer - it may depend on the time of day and how far south you are going. Rt. 15 becomes one lane further south anyway. We had no issues - that was a Saturday late morning.