NJ to SC and Richmond Traffic?

[sperduton]

Hello all. I'm taking a trip from NJ to Myrtle Beach in a couple of weeks. I'm going down I-78, i-81, I-66, 17, i-95 south.
I'm staying over in Ashland, Va just North of Richmond on a Thursday night and will be heading I-95 South on a Friday morning.
Any suggestions for bad traffic spots around Richmond. Or is it all bad?
Should I take 95 straight through Richmond or 295 around it?

Any other suggestions.
Thanks

[Atlee]

Where I live I have a choice of either going I-295 or I-95, depending which way I leave my subdivision.

If I have a choice, I always use I-295. The lanes just seem wider, and the speed limit is either 65 or 70. In the downtown area on I-95, some of the curves are rather tight.

I believe they are still working on the last of a series of bridges in the downtown area.

By the way, the CG you're staying at is only a couple of miles from where I live. If it's the KOA, that's where I usually go to refill my propane bottles.

[sperduton]

Going into Myrtle via lumberton, are there are vegetable stands on the side of the road I could stop at.

Thanks for the help everyone. I can't want to get on the road.

Nick

[ford_truck_guy]

sperduton wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:
All the years of traveling threw Richmond have taught me to just say no to 95... Like stated already 295 is only about 5 -10 miles longer... 65 and smoother roads VS 55 and more traffic .. 295 gets my vote all day every day....As far as going in to Myrtle Beach.. I get off in Lumberton NC and run the back roads in.... With he new highway around Myrtle Beach it's nice

Curious, Which Highway IS The New Highway?

9 to 31 ... Maybe not so new anymore, but sure is a nice way to enter North Myrtle Beach and the strand area... We get off 95 in Lumberton NC onto 74... and go to -74...410...701...9...31...22... Its 75 miles and 1-1/2 hours from 95 in Lumberton NC to The super Wal-Mart in North Myrtle Beach... See 2 Retired's post above for exact directions.

[sperduton]

ford truck guy wrote:
All the years of traveling threw Richmond have taught me to just say no to 95... Like stated already 295 is only about 5 -10 miles longer... 65 and smoother roads VS 55 and more traffic .. 295 gets my vote all day every day....As far as going in to Myrtle Beach.. I get off in Lumberton NC and run the back roads in.... With he new highway around Myrtle Beach it's nice

Curious, Which Highway IS The New Highway?

[2_Retired]

Can't agree any stronger with suggestions to use I 295 around Richmond and Petersburg. You will reenter I95 near milepost 46. Far less traffic, much better roadway. Also agree with leaving 95 in Lumberton, NC, Exit 13, onto Rt. 74 towards Whitesville/Myrtle Beach. Take to exit for Rt. 410 (towards Chadbourn and Myrtle Beach). When this road ends, turn right onto Rt. 701 towards Tabor City, NC. Approx 5 miles more and turn left onto Rt 9 (South or East, its confusing sometimes in SC!) towards Myrtle Beach. This will take you after 15 to 20 miles to Rt 31 South. This will take you to MB. From here, take Rt 31 to the end towards Georgetown. You will exit onto Rt. 544. It will take you across US 17 (called 17 Bypass here) and to U S 17 Business 17 (called Kings Highway). You will be at a traffic light, looking at the entrance to Ocean Lakes CG! Myrtle Beach SP is just north of this intersection, so make a left onto 17 Business and it will be on your right shortly. You'll pass Lakewood CG and Pirateland. If you would like more local info, please feel free to PM.

[BillMFl]

In June I used 295 and it was very light traffic mid morning and good road.

[ford_truck_guy]

All the years of traveling threw Richmond have taught me to just say no to 95... Like stated already 295 is only about 5 -10 miles longer... 65 and smoother roads VS 55 and more traffic .. 295 gets my vote all day every day....As far as going in to Myrtle Beach.. I get off in Lumberton NC and run the back roads in.... With he new highway around Myrtle Beach it's nice

[The_Painting_Te]

According to Google, 295 is only a few miles longer and runs through the countryside. However, 95 gets bogged down only during rush hour and runs through downtown. Safest bet is 295. Camp on!

[dahkota]

295 is only 5 miles longer but the speed limit is 65 vs. 55 on 95. There are areas with tight lanes on 95, some construction last time I passed through, and the drivers are a little crazier. For a while, I really wanted 95 to be faster, but it is always as long or longer than 295. Save your shocks and suspension and do 295.

[sperduton]

I'm headed to Myrtle Beach State Park for Friday night, then over to Ocean lakes for Saturday night on. I'm figuring about 6.5 hours from Ashland to Myrtle.
I could leave Ashland at any time so if leaving at 6am is a better bet than leaving at say 9am. I'd be ok with that to avoid sitting in a complete mess of traffic. I hear traffic into the Ocean Lakes area on a Sat is a mess too which is why I chose to come in on Friday. I'm not sure it's any better though.
Would it be better to try and get into Myrtle by noon/1pm or after like 6pm?
That will probably base when I left Ashland.

[yrusoslo]

Friday, coming into the beach is a nightmare after 2pm. Where in the beach ru going? I live here, so maybe I can help with some go arounds.

[ct1964ups]

sperduton wrote:
Hello all. I'm taking a trip from NJ to Myrtle Beach in a couple of weeks. I'm going down I-78, i-81, I-66, 17, i-95 south.
I'm staying over in Ashland, Va just North of Richmond on a Thursday night and will be heading I-95 South on a Friday morning.
Any suggestions for bad traffic spots around Richmond. Or is it all bad?
Should I take 95 straight through Richmond or 295 around it?

Any other suggestions.
Thanks

I always go straight thru...last time at 5 pm and wasn't bad.....only about 10 miles that CAN GET TIGHT.......I stay at Ashland,also, and leave about 9-930 am and traffic is ok...Chuck

[WoodLark]

Based on my experience (admittedly limited) going through Richmond, I would say go straight through on I-95 if you reach Richmond earlier than 6:00AM otherwise go around on I-295.

[Jim_Shoe]

95 straight thru is shorter, but the potholes on 295 are shallower. Avoid rush hours. Richmond is a hub for I-95, I-85 and I-64, so lots of traffic.