LI Southbound 95 or 81?

Just leave at night or very early morning and take the shortest route.

I did 81 once. 495 >BQE> Through Staten Island> Gothels Bridge hen north to pick up 78 west to 81. The part that killed us was getting off of LI. We used to be able to leave 5 am ish but now we will try 4 am ish. I ran into a Moho owner who leaves here 3 am but he also goes north 495>Cross Bronx and over the GW. That route seems counter intuitive to me to go that far north to go south. We are going, unless Im convinced otherwise to 495/BQE/Gothels to 287> 78 West to 81. Ive been stuck in more traffic jams on 95 than I care to admit. The issue is if 95 is moving without issues it is faster but that seems to be a flip of the coin until south of DC.

Pretty good replies here, but I'm moving this to Roads and Routes to solicit more.

jplante4 wrote:
According to INRIX Roadway Analytics, Washington D.C. I-95 south, exit 133A to the Fairfax County Parkway, Virginia is the #1 most congested highway in the country.

Here's the story.

One bad wreck on I-95 will eat up much more time than a secondary road.

EXIT 133 IS WHERE 17 comes into 95 at fredericksburg. 81 and 17 avoids a bunch of problems.
bumpy

According to INRIX Roadway Analytics, Washington D.C. I-95 south, exit 133A to the Fairfax County Parkway, Virginia is the #1 most congested highway in the country.

Here's the story.

One bad wreck on I-95 will eat up much more time than a secondary road.

JMHO _TappanZee to GSP to NJP to 95. Take 695 around Baltimore using Key Bridge or the norther route (think that is called “west”). Avoid any perceived short cuts unless you don’t mind stopping for many traffic signals. I tried it once going to Fredrickburg VA. It was a route through Delaware, 13 i think and it was the worst choice i made. Sure its laid back and some of it is scenic but not very efficient if you are trying to keep to a schedule for your vacation. Might be good for some but from now on it is 95, 83, or 81 to the south out of the northeast.

any route other than I-95 in balt/wash area, ok after fredricksburg. 81 to 17 works.
bumpy

I travel 81 from western NC to Pa a few times a year for the last 30yrs. It's a nice road overall and the same for 77 and 26. A lot more scenic and rural than 95.

Crabbypatty wrote:
... and getting of of LI is always a challenge.

4am to get through the Cross Bronx (always a joy) and over the GW sounds about right. Depends how far from the TNB you are. What town on Long Island?

You don't BQE :E to Verrazano do you?

Having made countless trips from various locations in eastern PA. to FL. all I can say is that 81-77-26 is the only way we go. In my situation, Mapquest claims that it takes an additional hour and 30 miles VS. I-95. Given the ability to avoid 95, as it travels through hundreds of miles of some of the busiest, most crowded parts of the country, I doubt that you could make up that hour, unless you rolled through in the middle of the night. !-81 down the Shenendoah Valley of VA. can be downright relaxing, compared to I-95.