Driving to Myrtle Beach

[delaware1234]

Originally Posted by tmozer

I would love to find another way (non-95/295) around DC. That is always the worst part of the trip even without any traffic delays.

It always takes major planning to avoid DC and Baltimore at rush hour

Not a great alternative, but still doable - Rts 207/301. You can take 207 at Exit 104 (Ruther Glen) in VA to 301 -- stay on 301 through Annapolis, through MD and Delaware and then back to 95 and onto New Jersey. This takes a bit longer than a trip down 95 without traffic. Some of the areas along this route have really grown and there might be some heavy traffic during rush hour ( Bowie comes to mind), but not like miles of bumper to bumper in DC. This also avoids Baltimore. I use this route if I know I will be driving through Baltimore and DC at 4 - 6pm

[tmozer]

I don't know if its due to more of the 95 constructions being completed (or more completed) in the DC area, but the last couple trips have not been a problem (Central Jersey to Murrells Inlet). In fact this last trip (8/31) I made better time then I expected and hit the DC Metro area around 5:30 pm. I figured we would get hammered, but sailed right through.

We do not stop over night, but if we did, we would probably pick a motel around Richmond VA since that is the half way point for us.

[engine12]

You could always do the 301 route and pick up 17 all the way down.... Might have to stop and spend the night somewhere though.....

[CTyankee54]

On our last trip to/from CT, we went up 95 and cut over to Norfolk and went up the Chesapeake Bay Bridge through Delaware. I hate driving through Washington/Baltimore because we always get stuck in traffic regardless of the time of day. So, even though mileage-wise it's longer, the actual driving time ended up being about the same without the traffic issues.