Wishing to take our 42"MH from PA to NC but really would prefer to stay away from the Washington/Baltimore Toll Roads. Anyone traveled down a reasonable route that doesn't add too many miles to the trip? Tolls and diesel alone are making me question my plans.

Don't know where you're starting from in Pa, but I take I-81s to rt 17 in Winchester,Va which brings you to I-95 just below Fredericksburg. A few miles out of the way, but for me, it sure beats the unpredictable slog through Baltimore and D.C.

zigzagrv wrote:Don't know where you're starting from in Pa, but I take I-81s to rt 17 in Winchester,Va which brings you to I-95 just below Fredericksburg. A few miles out of the way, but for me, it sure beats the unpredictable slog through Baltimore and D.C.Rt 17 is a pretty good road. Good recommendation.

We take 79 to 19 then turn off just before the toll 77 then 77 to 26 to 95. The toll part of the 77 that we bipass is only a 3 or 4 dollars.

naturist wrote:zigzagrv wrote:Don't know where you're starting from in Pa, but I take I-81s to rt 17 in Winchester,Va which brings you to I-95 just below Fredericksburg. A few miles out of the way, but for me, it sure beats the unpredictable slog through Baltimore and D.C.Rt 17 is a pretty good road. Good recommendation.if you are using an older gps, it will direct you incorrectly at Opal . coming south on 17 at Opal, stay in right thru lane and about 1/4 mile South there is a right turn up and over to take 17 east.bumpy

If you're starting out near I 95 in Pa, you may want to check this route. We've have used it often going between NJ and Myrtle Beach. You avoid 95 from Delaware all the way to south of Petersburg, Va (exit 46 on 95). You will use I 295 around Richmond and Petersburg, but most of it is newly resurfaced, its not a toll road, and it's fine. The only caveat is the construction on the Bay Bridge on Rt 301 (not the Bridge Tunnel, the Bay Bridge over the Chesapeake Bay on Rt 50/301). It's iffy. During the week or early morning/late evening usually not bad, but there was a 20 mile backup yesterday (police action which is very unusual). I just put Smithfield, nc as a destination to get the directions. https://www.mapquest.com/directions/from/us/pa/philadelphia/to/us/nc/smithfieldOnly tolls are on the new part of 301 in Delaware, the Bay Bridge and the Potomac River Bridge connecting Md with Va - this is a two lane bridge - DH says it's "not fun but no real problem". We have a 32'MH and always pull our toad. You might hit some traffic around Waldorf/LaPlata in Southern Maryland (lots of traffic lights) but that's about it if the Bay Bridge isn't bad.

Wishing to stay out of I-95S through Washington DC

HighwayJunky
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
Why wouldn't I just stay on the eastern shore side of Maryland and cross the Bay Bridge?Tunnel into Norfolk over to I-95???
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
HighwayJunky wrote:
Why wouldn't I just stay on the eastern shore side of Maryland and cross the Bay Bridge?Tunnel into Norfolk over to I-95???

propane isn't allowed in some of those locations.
bumpy
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2020
90mi from Norfolk to Richmond and I-95 or 80mi to hit it at Emporia. It seems you are heading for Eastern NC so if you are going to the outer banks going to Norfolk is the BEST idea. I travel from BWI airport to central NC frequently and my method is to time it right to catch the toll road out of DC when it goes South. Noon on week days. I go down the BW parkway, DC 295, to I-395, hits I-95 at Springfield, VA.This will get you below most of the congestion and saves a ton of time. Must have an EZ Pass.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
remember that that stretch of I-95 from DC to Fredericksburg won the distinction of being the worst in the Universe. well maybe just worst in the US.
bumpy
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Aug 25, 2020
And it may well be for those that travel at the high use hours......But the OP never did say where he was going in NC---it makes a difference.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 26, 2020
ferndaleflyer wrote:
And it may well be for those that travel at the high use hours......But the OP never did say where he was going in NC---it makes a difference.

that stretch of I-95 is always high use.
bumpy
HighwayJunky
Explorer
Aug 29, 2020
My MH is "all-electric" so I need not worry about Propane restrictions. Plus, as added into I will be headed to Durham,NC.
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Aug 29, 2020
Go to Norfolk---Take US 58 west out of there all the way to I-85 at South Hill. It is good 4 lane road. Take I-85 South to Durham. There are other ways but none less complicated.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 29, 2020
ferndaleflyer wrote:
Go to Norfolk---Take US 58 west out of there all the way to I-85 at South Hill. It is good 4 lane road. Take I-85 South to Durham. There are other ways but none less complicated.

from I-95 at Richmond, take I-85 to durham. don't go near Norfolk
if you stay on I-95, take the middle lane down to the I-85 turnoff, exit 51. if you take I-295 you need to backtrack about 5 miles.
bumpy
Veebyes
Explorer II
Aug 31, 2020
Two options, both involve the Eastern Shore.

301 S, over the Bay Bridge. No toll westbound. Continue 301 S over the Potomac & then whatever after that. 301 continues to more or less parallel 95 but is a real nice, quiet, 4 lane road for a long way.

The other is 13 S through DE & on to the CBBT to Virgina Beach. Who told you no propane on the CBBT? They are WRONG. Done it many times. SB, pull over just before toll at N end & turn the propane off. That is all that is required.

The trip over & under on the CBBT is an experience all by itself. 20 miles of bridge & 2 deep tunnels.

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