Delaware to Keywest

I've done both....I-95, but I do take the bypasses (Baltimore, DC and Richmond).

I took I-81 once, as you described...only because we had to make a stop in Galax. Good road, no problems.

I've driven up and down I 95 more times than I can count towing either my TT or my boat. I either take the bypasses as Jerseyjim suggested or I time it to pass through those places at off times. Except in Baltimore you have to take the bypass if you have propane because you can't go through the tunnel. Also, Jacksonville FL, Ft Lauderdale, and Miami traffic during rush hours are annoying. Enjoy your trip! We are going from South Florida to Nova Scotia & Back early summer so 95 here we go again.

where at in Delaware? why not drop straight south and avoid Balt/DC/etc?
bumpy

Take 301 and avoid Baltimore & DC just some traffic lights in a couple of spots that can slow you down but better then the problems on 95. Get back on at exit 104 just above Kings Dominion or stay on 301 until you reach the 295 Richmond bypass.

I did this trip in reverse back in August ( 95 / 26 / 77 / 81 ) in a Jeep JK to the Staunton area, and don't recall 81 being bad at all !

Enjoy your trip!

I81 is good until you get north of I78

dblr wrote:
Take 301 and avoid Baltimore & DC just some traffic lights in a couple of spots that can slow you down but better then the problems on 95. Get back on at exit 104 just above Kings Dominion or stay on 301 until you reach the 295 Richmond bypass.

This is a good way , nice road..

*** BUT*** There are a lot of lights , and red light cameras on 301. Also there is a lot of congestion just south of Bowie that is a royal pain.. Now that 95 is done ( for the most part ) and they added the ex pass express lanes , it is a much easier ride...
When we do the keys from PA , we do 95 to Baltimore, around 695 and cross the Key Bridge,.,, 95 S to 295 around Richmond and back on 95.. Depending on the time of day , DC will be a breaze now.. I have done the round trip from NE PA to Richmond 5 times since December and have not gotten stopped once in traffic!

I avoid 95 from Baltimore to Richmond. I like 81, 77, and 26 much better, even though a bit longer. I don't recall the expansion joints on 81 to which you refer. I assume you know not to stay on 95 into Miami, and use the turnpike (toll) to go around.

Just did the Key West trip in our C at Christmas. My favorite way from NJ is 95 through Philly (early in the morning) to route 1 in Delaware. Route 1 to 113 to 13 to the bay bridge tunnel then to 58 to 95. Definitely lights along the way, but worth it for a much less stressful drive. You bypass all of the up north junk.

81 to 64 to 95 also works fine but you can still hit junk around Richmond.

Heyjerry wrote:
Best comfortable route to Florida with a Class C, no tow. I-95 with traffic or I-81 -I-77 I-26. I was told (81) has expansion joints every 30 yards to make for a uncomfortable ride. Any advice from seasoned RVrs. Thanks for any input, Jerry from DE,
2016 Redhawk 26XD

If you leave between 3 am - 4 am or after 9 am, just take I-95 south. I am always tempted to try going over the Bay Bridge to avoid potential traffic on I 95, but then I think of all the traffic lights along that route and decide against it. I like to set cruise control at 68 - 72 and just cruise. Our Motorhome is heavy, all that stopping and starting kills gas mileage.

We travel from Southern NJ to Southeastern GA 3 to 4 times a year. We prefer to leave around 3 AM. That gets us to Fredricksburg, VA and past all the traffic by 7 AM at the latest. The rest of the trip is smooth sailing unless there is an accident. That's driving within a couple mph of the speed limit. We're usually home by 4 PM. In the motorhome we take 695 around the Baltimore Beltway (stay on 95 in the car) and take 295 around Richmond no matter what time of day or what vehicle. Or leave at 9 am to avoid the morning rush through Baltimore/DC/Northen VA.

-Michael