NJ to FL I-95 or I-81,77,26,95? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Sugar Bear · #1 03-15-2005, 10:56 PM

Driving to FL this week, taken I-95 from central NJ all the way, way too many times. Traffic from NJ to Richmond can be absurd.

Playing w/ Mapquest and found that PA TPK to I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95 is one hour and 100 miles longer. This sounds worth it, anyone done it?

Bad news due to unpopular (I lost

) vote, 85 300TD sits home w/288K. 93 300E goes, heard the airbag ABS argument ad nauseum.

elau · #2 03-16-2005, 12:06 AM

Your best bet is still I-95S. PA Turnpike is not any more friendlier. And I-81, forget it. It is choke full of 18 wheelers. One more hour/100 miles on a trip like that will feel like eternity. The only pain is actually the DC Beltway and Wilson Bridge. Depends on time of day, you may still be able to breeze through the Beltway. But do prepare for about 15 minutes delay crossing the Wilson Bridge even on a good day. Once across, you can pretty much fly.

You can bypass Richmond by going I-295. It takes you outside of the city so you don't have to fight the city traffic. But Richmond isn't that big so I usually don't bother.

wbain5280 · #3 03-16-2005, 12:07 AM

There is a lot of truck traffic on I-81 in Va, lots of State Troopers as well. I-81 in Va is two lanes and very congested.

If you use I-95 from Baltimore south through Fredrickburg Va, you run into commuter traffic and that can be hell.

You might consider taking the Lewes(sp?) Ferry and Rt-301 south to Richmond and I-95 from there. There is a Richmond Bypass, I-295 which is a really nice ride.

Just a thought.

Ali Al-Chalabi · #4 03-16-2005, 12:10 AM

I have completed the journey from central NJ to central Florida 20 times over. I-95 is the best way.

elau · #5 03-16-2005, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbain5280

You might consider taking the Lewes(sp?) Ferry and Rt-301 south to Richmond and I-95 from there.

That's a long way. Plus Rt 301 is a secondary highway with traffic lights. Good chance to get stuck behind a farm truck as well.

Trip like that, best stick to the highway and drive it like you stole it.

mzsmbs · #6 03-16-2005, 12:48 AM

i've driven most of that i95 and what a freaking nighmare but try to hit the major cities late at night or at least out of rush hour.... couple hours after isn't bad.. 9-10a, 2-3p, 7-8p

MS Fowler · #7 03-16-2005, 05:49 AM

The ONLY time in the last 20 years that I haven't seen the Washington Beltway ( I 495) crowded and slow was between 2:30 and 3:30 am on my way to inspect a 5 am concrete pour in Manassas, VA.
You just have to accept it and plan for it taking a little longer.

As for I 81......The most diabolical radar trap I ever saw was set up on 81 just north of Roanoke (?) about 15 years ago. For about 5 miles they had radar units just out of sight of each other all along the road. I watched as people "thought" they had safely passed the radar cop and resumed their normal speed only to be caught by the next one-- over and over, and over.... As I was not caught in this, I found it quite amusing.

winner.111 · #8 03-16-2005, 02:32 PM

I grew up in N. jersey and always took 95,hating it & the traffic all the way.especially around DC. moved upstate NY near 81,so it was more logical for me.I find much less traffic on 81 because its more inland and away from the 95 corridor.its a little longer but you make better time.Why do the others think all the truckers use it,its their business to know the best way around.anyway, if youd rather look at trees go 81,if you like traffic more go 95.but with this cold weather,just go.i'm doing it myself in a few weeks.good luck. mike

sfloriII · #9 03-17-2005, 12:45 AM

Depending on which way you decide to go keep this in mind:

On I-95 South, there are a couple places deemed "extra dangerous" by local police which warrent speeding tickets that can be in the range of $2500 or so.

Two places on 95 South are an eleven mile stretch near Woodbridge (about 15 miles south of DC after you cross over the Ocquaquan (sp?) River. The other place is around Richmond, 75 miles south of DC.

I know that I-81 has an area that also carries excessively high speeding fines, but don't know which stretch of the highway it is.

Good luck on your trip. Remember radar detectors are illegal in VA, so hide it well!!

wbain5280 · #10 03-17-2005, 01:28 AM

Michael, you're too funny.

I used to work at a DC Gov't office at Benning Rd and Minnesota Ave NE. I drove ovet the Annacostia River on the Pennsy Ave bridge and up Minnesota Ave. Itat road is marked for 25 MPH and cars regularly drove 50 mph, even the cops. When the school zone lights were flashing, no one slowed down. I drove 30 mph in the right lane and everone passed me.

I never really understood why it's so hard to go from 295 sb to Pennsylvania Ave west.

295 is like a racetrack. Hell, all DC roads are like racetracks.

MineMapper · #11 03-17-2005, 10:42 AM

Learn something new every day. Michael, you are showing signs of having driven this area for too long.

Now, what can you tell me about getting over the river into NoVa from MD? I'm doing Baltimore to Vienna daily. Basically I think its more an issue of timing than anything else. If I don't leave the house by 5:45am, I just wait until 9 or so. The same coming home. Get out of the office by 2:30, or wait till 6:30. I've tried taking Chain Bridge and Western Ave. along the DC/MD border, and though it moves along, it ends up taking as long as sitting in the parking lot of the Beltway.

Michael K · #12 03-17-2005, 12:02 PM

Baltimore to Vienna sucks (Vienna is outside the Beltway so going through the city does nothing for you.) Best route is 95 South from Baltimore to 495 West to No. Va. It's an unpredictable traffic hell. Keep your radio tuned to a good traffic channel and listen for a major wreck. If that happens, just cancel your trip or take the train. If it were me, depending on where I wanted to go in Vienna, I would take Amtrak from Baltimore to the New Carrolton MD Metro (about 30 minutes). Transfer to the Orange line and ride it to Vienna (about 60 minutes). At the Vienna station, there should be several newest-generation Americans waiting to hook you with a taxi ride, or a buddy could pick you up. The train is slower but more predictable. Oh, and if you're going to the Tysons Corner area (rather than Vienna itself), get off one stop before Vienna at the Dunn Lorning station.

MineMapper · #13 03-17-2005, 12:08 PM

Yes, it does suck. However, for the most part, it takes me less time that it used to take me to get to my old office downtown. Using a combination of either car & Metro, or car, Marc & Metro, that one always took me 1hr 20 mins minimum.

With the new commute, I time it right, and make it in about an hour, or get screwed by a random accident. If its raining, or there's even a hint of snow, I stay home and work from there. I'm fortunate enough to have that flexibility in my job.

Michael K · #14 03-17-2005, 12:09 PM

"I learn a trick coming back North on this route via I-66. As soon as you merge onto I-395, stay on the the far left lane till it is less than 1/4 mile (while you are still on 13th Street Bridge) before you pull back into the right lane (if you stay on the left lane, you have to exit and it will take you downtown DC). Doing so save me good 10 mins sitting in traffic."

That's a good one!!! We call it the "HOV Hussle". It's a beautiful exploitation of the jurisdictional differences between VA and DC. In short, DC owns the entire bridge and does not recognise VA HOV laws. If you don't mind changing lanes like a formula one driver, it's a great time saver.