It seems that most posts in this forum involve people traveling during the week; can anyone share experiences leaving on a Friday night?We're planning a MA to FL trip for February, and planning to leave on a Friday evening and hopefully go around NYC after rush hour before we stop for the night. Then 95 past Baltimore and Washington Saturday morning. Weather concerns aside, what are we likely to see for Friday late-ish travel through New Jersey and Saturday early-ish through the rest?Thanks in advance!

If it's February vacation week plan on having lots of company with you. If you are very early Saturday a.m. (prior to 7 a.m. or so) Baltimore and Washington should be OK. Keep in mind if you leave MA too early you will hit rush hour hear and may be a wash for avoiding NYC. What is your planned route?

I would head over to 81 myself, rather than go down 95.As was said, you'll have company with other vacation travelers in any case. If you're not taking your RV and can get (and are willing to pay for) tickets, the auto train from just south of Washington, DC is a convenient way to avoid some of the craziness and save some time. I've gone that way a couple of trips.

Coming from the Cape, planning to go 90-84-Tappanzee-Garden State-95 in my 28 ft class C.Thanks for your thoughts so far!

I have done this ride many times from Seekonk, MA (near providence). When leaving after work I usually take Rt95 to Rt287 over Tappan Zee Bridge to Rt78 West then down RT81 South. I can usually make it to Wal-Mart right off of Rt81 at 17850 Garland Groh Blvd, Hagerstown, MD 21740. The I usually come in Rt77 back to Rt95

I would stay closer to the coast for the possible warmer air in Feb.Those mountains of 81 can get some snow.

Weekend travel MA to FL | Good Sam Community

Crowe
Explorer
Dec 07, 2017
If it's February vacation week plan on having lots of company with you. If you are very early Saturday a.m. (prior to 7 a.m. or so) Baltimore and Washington should be OK. Keep in mind if you leave MA too early you will hit rush hour hear and may be a wash for avoiding NYC. What is your planned route?
DrewE
Explorer II
Dec 07, 2017
I would head over to 81 myself, rather than go down 95.

As was said, you'll have company with other vacation travelers in any case. If you're not taking your RV and can get (and are willing to pay for) tickets, the auto train from just south of Washington, DC is a convenient way to avoid some of the craziness and save some time. I've gone that way a couple of trips.
justinhscott
Explorer
Dec 07, 2017
Coming from the Cape, planning to go 90-84-Tappanzee-Garden State-95 in my 28 ft class C.

Thanks for your thoughts so far!
PCronin68
Explorer
Dec 07, 2017
I have done this ride many times from Seekonk, MA (near providence). When leaving after work I usually take Rt95 to Rt287 over Tappan Zee Bridge to Rt78 West then down RT81 South. I can usually make it to Wal-Mart right off of Rt81 at 17850 Garland Groh Blvd, Hagerstown, MD 21740. The I usually come in Rt77 back to Rt95
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Dec 07, 2017
I would stay closer to the coast for the possible warmer air in Feb.

Those mountains of 81 can get some snow.
phillyg
Explorer II
Dec 07, 2017
Baltimore south as far as Richmond VA can be a crapshoot on 95, even Sat-Sun.
Robocop
Explorer
Dec 08, 2017
phillyg wrote:
Baltimore south as far as Richmond VA can be a crapshoot on 95, even Sat-Sun.

No longer a crapshoot. It is a sure thing for being a nightmare all week, N/O Baltimore as well.

As for the pros/cons for 95 versus 81, I would take the chance of possible funky weather than all the tolls and wall to wall 95 traffic. I've come down from Gloucester a few times and 95 is only an option when heading to Long Island.

To each their own. It is hard to determine what poison one prefers to pick.
Crowe
Explorer
Dec 08, 2017
It is hard to determine what poison one prefers to pick.

X2. That's when Waze or other such app comes in really handy.
lmpres
Explorer
Dec 08, 2017
We drive down tO NC from NH and have found 81 the way to go ANYTIME. LOL.
ependydad
Explorer
Dec 15, 2017
I'm way late on this post- but be aware, you can't take either of the tunnels at Baltimore. You have to take I-695 (south has a toll, north/west doesn't).

http://learntorv.com/road-tunnel-restrictions-near-maryland/

Personally, my preference is to take I-95 though northern Virginia can be a crapshoot 24/7.