Avoiding Washington and Baltimore

Perhaps patience is a virtue. However, living in Baltimore 32 years, unless it is late at night or my destination is related to the 95/495 corridor, I use the Key Bridge, 301 to 95/295. Unless I am leaving from a DE location, then will take 13/Bay Bridge Tunnel and navigate back to 95 as necessary. We all pick our poison differently.

I live in the DC area. What NHIrish told you is absolutely correct. Safe trip.

We do this route all the time. I prefer 95 and the west side of 695 as opposed to the Key bridge (rig in signature). We take the loop around the west side of DC, too. We've tried the alternate routes with varying degrees of success - mostly longer travel times. We avoid rush hours.

Rob

Thanks everyone for all the great input, I really appreciate it since I'm not familiar with this area and know it's notorious for difficult driving.
Think we'll try I-95 from Richmond to DC, I-495(west) around DC back to I-95, on up to I-695(west) around Baltimore back to I-95 and then on up to Philly. Leaving very early on Saturday which I hope will minimize traffic issues.
Thanks again for all the great advice.

Safe travels to all,
Jim

I am based on the Chesapeake Bay Eastern Shore so have done the Baltimore Washington avoidance thing many times. Coming from the Richmond, VA area I'd use the 301N route across the Potomac, through Annapolis, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, up 301, Wilmington & on to Philadelphia from there.

If coming from further south than Richmond we go through Norfolk/Virginia Beach, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, an attraction in itself, & up 13 to Wilmington. With the exception of the Norfolk area, very civilised driving the whole way.

Hi Veebyes,
Thanks for your input. I'd consider US=301 except it sure looks like a lot of congestion potential once you get up near Washington with a lot of traffic lights, etc. I like US highways too and love to get away from the trucks on the interstates but many US routes can get you into a lot of slow, stop-and-go areas that not only are slow but frustrating with all the red lights. I'm afraid on a Saturday 301 might be very crowded around all the small towns.
I'll think about it some more but since it'll be a Saturday trip I sorta think the interstate route will be OK if we leave at dawn and go around DC on I-495 and Baltimore on I-695.

Thanks, Jim

301 south of Washington is not too bad. The worst is going through Waldorf. Other than there it is pretty clear going.

There is a section of 495 around the south of Washington which has separated express lanes, no exits in this section, for those not getting off in the DC downtown area. Outside of that section there have always been slow downs. Last fall we had to use 495 on a Sunday around the N side of DC. OMG, what a mess! No construction, no crash, just traffic, stop & go. Had there been a choice that day the lights of Waldorf & a few other places on 301 would have been far more preferable.

You pick your poison. No matter what you do anywhere between DC & Boston is no fun. The good news is that there are multiple ways to endure the misery.