Avoiding Washington and Baltimore

We are doing the same trip next week heading home. Having done all of the I95 derivatives through that area over many years of driving down the east coast, we opted for the scenic route. We are heading over to Virginia Beach and catching the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to Rt 13 and then on up to Wilmington. No super highway but something completely different and without the craziness.

BTW 81 is great but it is too far out of the way for us too. We take that south now but will be on the Georgia coast visiting friends on the way north so we will stick to 95 this trip.

Dave

I make this trip quite a bit, and will be just a day ahead of you. Lately, I think that 81 is no better than 95 and can often place you in winter weather this time of year due to elevation etc.

Rte. 95 has gotten much better. Not sure how far you are going, or which direction, but also avoid the George Washington bridge in NYC. It is horrible, as is the Cross Bronx expressway that you will find yourself on. Use the Tappen Zee bridge north of the city.

So, the only issue is traveling with propane through Baltimore...you can't use the tunnel. The route to take is 695, over the John Phillip Sousa bridge.

I have always used 95 from Baltimore to DC. There is a 295 from Baltimore to Washington...but I don't know anything about it.

Around DC is not an issue, take the outer loop...just follow the 495 signs. As a general statement, it is best to avoid rush hour in either of these places.

Safe travels!

US301/US50/US301/US 40 and pick up I-95 in Wilimington. Misses everything. 301 is the old Florida route (pre I-95, my grandfather used to drive to Florida that way). Typical old US route. Stretches of 65 mph broken up by towns and shopping centers.

I've driven this and the only part I didn't like was the bridge over the Potomac.

I use the 301 route, get off 95 at exit #104 and follow the signs to get to 301, it does have sections with some lights and yes it might slow down but I prefer this way and there is some construction at some places but then where is there not construction.
The 95 route as has been said is 495 around DC then the shortest way around Baltimore is 695 East across the Scot Key Bridge, you can take 695 west for free but is a bit longer. Good luck on your choice and safe travels

Been a few years since I made those trips but since you are going on a Saturday, I would say the beltway routes 495 and 695. 301 and the secondary route can be better than the interstates on weekdays, but on weekends the shoppers are heavier than the diminished number of commuters left on the interstates.
JMHO

Whatever route you choose, the biggest variable is the traffic. When it's bad, it's VERY bad. I once had about a 4-hour delay between Richmond and DC on I95. Pretty much unpredictable.

Lately I've been using GoogleMaps on my iPhone. It seems to do a great job of monitoring traffic conditions along your route and recommending alternatives when it sees a traffic problem up ahead.

-Speak

Oh, one more thing. If you DO use GoogleMaps, be aware that it will steer you to the E-Z Pass Express lanes around DC. It wont' TELL you that it's doing that, it will just tell you to get in the left lane. Then it will send you into the EZ-Pass Express lanes. At least that's what I've found to be its default. Personally, I don't want the toll lanes normally, because I'm too much of a tightwad to spend the bucks.

-Speak

I like I-81, but I am coming in from the west so it is not out of the way for me.

I am actually making that trip south in about 2 hours in my pick up.. On Saturday, I would stay on 95 to DC - then 95-695 EAST crossing the Key Bridge.. ( I just think the eastern way is quicker.. My opinion only ) back to 95.. in De take 495 around Wilmington, back onto 95 to Phila..

I am in Bucks County now ( just North of Philly ) and will be in Ashland VA later today..

seadogjim wrote:
Hi,

Will be driving from Richmond, VA, to Philadelphia on Saturday in a class A w/towd and wondering which is the best route around DC and Baltimore? Haven't made this trip before so would appreciate advice from those familiar with the highways, traffic, etc.
Am thinking I-95 north and I-495 around Washington and I-695(west) around Baltimore. Many say I-81 is good but that just seems too far out of the way. I also know US-301 is an option but read it's not that good due to traffic and general congestion.
Would greatly appreciate any help anyone can offer.

Thanks, Jim

I wouldn't even worry about it on a Saturday. I-95, I-495 and I-695 W are your best routes. There's no rush hour on a Saturday, so just leave around 9 am and you should be fine. There might be accidents, but that can happen anywhere. Find alternate routes in case of traffic, but I think Interstate for your route is best.

We drive GA to NJ 6 to 8 times a year all I-95 (except I-295 around Richmond). For us, it is all about timing. There is no better route than I-95 as we live 2 miles from I-95 and our destination is about 10 miles from NJ Turnpike. The 301 route isn't bad if you don't mind stop lights and slow driving. It's not like it was 20 - 30 years ago. There is a lot more traffic along 301 than their used to be (lots of new housing developments close to 301). If there is traffic on I-95, most people are jumping off onto 301.

-Michael