1st time long distance trip need advice

The key thing to remember for fuel stops is to always plan your exit before you enter. Stations with pump islands parallel to the road are ideal, but relatively rare. Travel centers like Pilot/Flying J, Loves, etc, often have more room to maneuver around the gas pumps. End islands are usually the most accessible. As far as your travel route goes, I'll leave it up to others that are more familiar with the current conditions on I-95 to advise you on stops and the best way to bypass Washington D.C. We avoid I-95 for the most part on our trips from upstate NY to Florida, not using it until we hit South Carolina. I-88 to I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95 is our preferred route.