I-95 Fredericksburg, VA to Emporia, VA

[gorjo01]

We are planning a trip to Myrtle Beach in a few weeks. I am looking at 2 routes and am planning on sleeping in Emporia, VA.

I will be travelling on I-81 southbound and thinking of taking I-66 to 17 south and getting onto I-95 at Fredericksburg, VA. I am concerned about I-95 southbound traffic between 5 pm to 8 pm on a Thursday.

Or should I continue on I-81 to I-64 then onto I-295 then onto I-95 south of Petersburg, knowing that it may be more miles but less traffic. I definitely do not want to spend hours in stop and go traffic pulling my fiver and getting into Emporia in darkness.

Thanks.

[Bumpyroad]

in case somebody is making that journey with out a RV, if there is a backup to get onto I-95 from 17, just go straight across I-95 and take a left into a motel and flip a U turn and get on I-95 from West bound 17. will not work towing, etc. however.
bumpy

[gorjo01]

Thanks folks, Route 17 to I95 it is.

[tomkaren13]

Bumpyroad wrote:
I-95 south of fredericksburg is generally not that bad. North of FBurg is horrid. the main issue you will have is getting onto I-95 from 17 as there is one right turn lane and people will be whizzing by you and cutting in. just be prepared for a little wait. you may want to stop at walmart which is easy to get into as you are coming into fredericksburg if you need to unload some water, etc. there also is a rest area shortly after getting onto 95. that turn should not cause you "hours" of problem. it is always possible that I-95 could have stop and go traffic but thursday would be better than a friday.
bumpy

Bumpy is always right in this area. We hit it at a rush hour.

[Shot-N-Az]

Bumpy's got it right. I live in Fredericksburg. 95S from here will not be a problem.

[AdirondackJack]

Have driven from Rochester, NY to Myrtle Beach on vacation for years. Soon found that the 17 crossover to I-95 was way better than I-64. Nice road, good scenery, less monotonous, and have never had a problem nor a long wait coming or going.

[NCWriter]

Take your second option if you don't mind the climb over Afton Mountain on 64. We often take that route. Fredericksburg area can be congested. (We lived there briefly in the mid 90s.)

[gorjo01]

5 mile backup..Yikes!! Was this a weekday or weekend? or does it matter?

I have driven that route before but overnighted on the 17, and left and got onto 95 early in the morning.

[tomkaren13]

If you take the 17 to I 95 route, definitely get into that right lane soon. We were in an over 5 mile backup and only got into that right lane thanks to another camper. Otherwise we would have missed the I-95 enterence. That is the only problem on that route. Basicly a nice ride.

[Bumpyroad]

I-95 south of fredericksburg is generally not that bad. North of FBurg is horrid. the main issue you will have is getting onto I-95 from 17 as there is one right turn lane and people will be whizzing by you and cutting in. just be prepared for a little wait. you may want to stop at walmart which is easy to get into as you are coming into fredericksburg if you need to unload some water, etc. there also is a rest area shortly after getting onto 95. that turn should not cause you "hours" of problem. it is always possible that I-95 could have stop and go traffic but thursday would be better than a friday.
bumpy