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.