Best Route FL to DC

[dalford]

We will be traveling up I-95 from Florida to the NE this summer. We plan to stop in Jersey City and Liberty RV Park. Plan to run into Manhattan for the day. We will be pulling our 30 TT and parking there for 2 nights. My question is the best route. I am using Streets and Trips and and have restricted to mainly interstate and it has routed me as shown.

I am not familiar with the roads in the DC, Philadelphia area. Any recommendations that will be easy for a Florida boy in the big city getting from south of DC to Jersey City..

[ependydad]

Looks fine- it's just temperamental for what time of day you come thru DC. Morning and afternoon rush hours are painful- you'll be in thick stop and go traffic. (I-95 and I-495) Depending on what overnight construction there is, you can get stuck in that. It's still the route I would take.

The trip up thru PA will be nice. Again, avoid the Baltimore beltway at rush hours (I-695). North of Baltimore to the PA line on I-83 will be thick on the evening rush hour.

Harrisburg, PA area will have some traffic, but unless there's an accident, it moves.

The other option is to get off of I-95 south of the city and go up 301. Some people love it, some people hate it. To me, it's a road with stop lights. I'll chance the interstate. If you do that, the bridge across the Potomac River from VA into MD is intense. 2 lanes and very tall!

[dalford]

Thanks ependydad, We should be approaching DC/Baltimore between 9 and 10AM and then Harrisburg around noon. Is 9AM still rush hour in DC. I know that is a good time to pass thru Atlanta but have never dealt with traffic in these areas.

[rattleNsmoke]

Gheesh, in the DC area it's rush hour all day! Stay away from 495 & 95 as mentioned. Cut thru to I-81 above Richmond and enjoy the scenery. BTW, there's a great KOA in Maryland if that's a stopping point. It's the Hagerstown\Antitem KOA. Very scenic and clean. Reservations recommended.
www.hagerstownkoa.com

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by dalford

Thanks ependydad, We should be approaching DC/Baltimore between 9 and 10AM and then Harrisburg around noon. Is 9AM still rush hour in DC. I know that is a good time to pass thru Atlanta but have never dealt with traffic in these areas.

Closer to 10 would be better. You'll also hit mid-day road work.

But, I still feel like I-81 is so far out of the way. You can ride 81 up to Harrisburg, though, too.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by dalford

We will be traveling up I-95 from Florida to the NE this summer. We plan to stop in Jersey City and Liberty RV Park. Plan to run into Manhattan for the day. We will be pulling our 30 TT and parking there for 2 nights. My question is the best route. I am using Streets and Trips and and have restricted to mainly interstate and it has routed me as shown.

I am not familiar with the roads in the DC, Philadelphia area. Any recommendations that will be easy for a Florida boy in the big city getting from south of DC to Jersey City..

I go this way:

It may be a tad longer, but it will take a lot less time and avoid a lot of traffic.



Time Mile Instruction For Toward
Summary: 569.6 miles (1 day, 3 hours)
DAY 1
10:00 AM 0.0 Depart Fayetteville KOA on Local road(s) (South) 32 yds
10:00 AM 0.1 Turn RIGHT (North-West) onto Wade-Stedman Rd [Wade Stedman Rd] 0.3 mi
10:01 AM 0.4 Turn RIGHT (North) onto JT Matthews Rd 98 yds
10:01 AM 0.4 Take Ramp onto I-95 166.9 mi I-95 N
11:43 AM 120.8 Entering Virginia
12:22 PM 167.3 At exit 46, take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-295 42.1 mi I-295 N / Washington / Richmond Int'l Airport
12:58 PM 209.4 At exit 43A, take Ramp (LEFT) onto I-95 2.7 mi I-95 N / Washington
1:00 PM 212.2 Rest break (30 mins)
1:30 PM 212.2 At exit 86A-B, stay on I-95 (North) 83.0 mi
2:42 PM 295.2 At exit 170A-B, take Ramp (LEFT) onto I-495 [I-495 OUTERLOOP] 6.7 mi I-495 E / I-95 N / Baltimore
2:48 PM 301.9 Road name changes to I-495 LOCAL [I-495 OUTERLOOP] 1.2 mi
2:49 PM 303.0 Road name changes to I-495 [I-495 OUTERLOOP] 21 yds
2:49 PM 303.1 Road name changes to I-495 LOCAL [I-495 OUTERLOOP] 3.2 mi
2:50 PM 303.9 Entering District of Columbia
2:50 PM 304.0 Entering Maryland
2:52 PM 306.3 At exit 3B, road name changes to I-495 [I-495 OUTERLOOP] 131 yds
2:53 PM 306.3 Road name changes to I-495 LOCAL [I-495 OUTERLOOP] 0.3 mi
2:53 PM 306.6 Road name changes to I-495 [I-495 OUTERLOOP] 7.4 mi
3:00 PM 314.0 At 11A, stay on I-495 [I-495 OUTERLOOP] (North) 11.4 mi
3:11 PM 325.4 At exit 22A, turn RIGHT onto Ramp 0.2 mi Balt/Wash Pkwy North / Baltimore
3:11 PM 325.6 Take Ramp (LEFT) onto MD-295 [Baltimore Washington Pkwy] 20.3 mi Balt/Wash Pkwy / Bwi / Baltimore
Construction near Baltimore (NB) (December 1, 2011 - January 31, 2013)
3:31 PM 346.0 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-695 [Baltimore Beltway Outer Loop] 5.7 mi I-695 E / Glen Burnie
3:37 PM 351.7 *Toll road* At exit 1, stay on I-695 [Baltimore Beltway Outer Loop] (East) 5.5 mi
3:43 PM 357.1 *Toll road* At 43, stay on I-695 [Baltimore Beltway Outer Loop] (East) 0.6 mi
3:44 PM 357.7 Stay on I-695 [Baltimore Beltway Outer Loop] (East) 10.3 mi
3:54 PM 368.0 At exit 33, turn RIGHT onto Ramp 174 yds I-95 / Baltimore / New York
3:54 PM 368.1 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-95 [John F Kennedy Memorial Hwy] 5.5 mi I-95 N / New York
4:00 PM 373.6 End of day
DAY 2
10:00 AM 373.6 Stay on I-95 [John F Kennedy Memorial Hwy] 19.6 mi
10:16 AM 393.2 *Toll road* At exit 89, stay on I-95 [John F Kennedy Memorial Hwy] (North-East) 5.0 mi I-95 N / New York
10:21 AM 398.2 Stay on I-95 [John F Kennedy Memorial Hwy] (East) 14.4 mi
10:33 AM 412.6 *Toll road* At exit 109A-B, stay on I-95 [John F Kennedy Memorial Hwy] (East) 2.2 mi
10:34 AM 413.8 Entering Delaware
10:35 AM 414.8 Stay on I-95 [Delaware Tpke] (East) 0.3 mi
10:35 AM 415.1 *Toll road* Stay on I-95 [Delaware Tpke] (East) 1.0 mi
10:36 AM 416.1 Stay on I-95 [Delaware Tpke] (East) 8.2 mi
Interchange Reconstruction near Brookside (EB) (July 2, 2012 - March 28, 2013)
10:44 AM 424.3 Turn RIGHT onto Ramp 0.2 mi I-295 / New Jersey Turnpike / NJ-NY / Del Mem Br
10:44 AM 424.5 Keep LEFT to stay on Ramp 0.9 mi
10:45 AM 425.4 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-295 5.4 mi I-295 N / New Jersey Tpke / Delaware Memorial Bridge / NY - NJ
10:50 AM 430.0 Entering New Jersey
10:51 AM 430.8 At exit 1B, road name changes to US-40 [New Jersey Tpke] 0.9 mi US-40 E / New Jersey Turnpike / Atlantic City / New York
10:52 AM 431.7 *Toll road* Road name changes to New Jersey Tpke 50.0 mi
11:34 AM 481.7 *Toll road* At NJ Turnpike Exit 6 to PA, stay on New Jersey Tpke (North-East) 18.1 mi
11:49 AM 499.8 *Toll road* Road name changes to I-95 [New Jersey Tpke] 14.4 mi
12:01 PM 514.2 *Toll road* At exit 9, turn RIGHT onto Ramp 0.7 mi RT-18 / US-1 / New Brunswick / East Brunswick
12:03 PM 514.9 *Toll road* Keep RIGHT to stay on Ramp 0.2 mi RT-18 N / US-1 / Trenton / Princeton / New Brunswick / Tower Center Blvd.
12:03 PM 515.1 Keep RIGHT onto RT-18 3.8 mi
12:08 PM 518.8 Keep RIGHT onto Ramp 0.1 mi River Rd / Highland Pk / Piscataway
12:08 PM 518.9 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto CR-622 [River Rd] 3.7 mi CR-622 W / River Rd
12:13 PM 522.6 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-287 11.1 mi I-287 N
12:23 PM 533.7 At 21A, take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-78 27.5 mi I-78 E / New York City
12:46 PM 561.2 *Toll road* At exit 58B, stay on I-78 (East) 7.1 mi I-78 E / I-95 / New Jersey Turnpike
12:54 PM 568.3 *Toll road* Turn RIGHT onto Ramp 0.3 mi Jersey City / Columbus Drive
12:55 PM 568.6 *Toll road* Road name changes to Center St 174 yds
12:55 PM 568.7 Stay on Center St (North) 0.1 mi
12:55 PM 568.8 Keep RIGHT onto Local road(s) 76 yds
12:56 PM 568.8 Bear RIGHT (East) onto Christopher Columbus Dr 0.1 mi
12:57 PM 568.9 Turn RIGHT (South) onto Brunswick St 0.1 mi
12:58 PM 569.1 Turn LEFT (East) onto Montgomery St 0.3 mi
12:59 PM 569.4 Keep STRAIGHT onto Montgomery St [Glenn D Cunningham Way] 0.1 mi
12:59 PM 569.6 Bear LEFT (East) onto Montgomery St 87 yds
1:00 PM 569.6 Arrive Jersey City

SUMMARY
Driving distance: 569.6 miles
Trip duration: 1 day, 3 hours
Driving time: 8 hours, 30 minutes
Cost: $184.57

[Sirsea]

If your objective is to get from FL to NJ via the quickest route then I-95/495 is it. There will be traffic and lots of it, but be patient, take it easy and you can make it. We towed our fiver from DC toward Baltimore at 9:00 AM without any problems. Be prepared for construction delays, toll booths and some rude drivers. However if you have some extra time, a more scenic route, less traffic and headaches would be I-95 up to Richmond then I-64 over to I-81 then to I-78 into Jersey. Sure it's a longer route but you have a lot of options along the way.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

Dalford, I have traveled from Jacksonville to the northeast area several times. Depending how far north I go depends on the route. For the area you are going to. Just above Richmond, VA at mile marker 104, take highway 207 over to US-301 until it merges with US-50 east. At this time follow US-50/US301 east into Maryland. Stay on US-301N all the way up to I-95 way above the DC/Baltimore area. You have a toll bridge that crosses the Chesapeake Bay which is not very much. You do miss all the DC/ Baltimore traffic.

Good luck on your trip.

[ependydad]

herk's directions make a good point - if you plan on taking I-95 past Baltimore, you must take the I-695 beltway. No propane is allowed in the Ft. McHenry tunnel (taking you under the harbor in Baltimore).

@Daisy's directions avoid all of that. The bridge he's talking about is the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I think it'll cost you a good $20+ to cross it with the truck and camper.

[cstover]

Originally Posted by ependydad

herk's directions make a good point - if you plan on taking I-95 past Baltimore, you must take the I-695 beltway. No propane is allowed in the Ft. McHenry tunnel (taking you under the harbor in Baltimore).

@Daisy's directions avoid all of that. The bridge he's talking about is the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I think it'll cost you a good $20+ to cross it with the truck and camper.

Yep $20 to cross.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by cstover

Yep $20 to cross.

While this sounds like a lot, it is only charged one way. It is FREE going into NJ and you pay coming back. Each way costs 10 bucks with camper if you use the bridge for both directions.

The NJ turnpike is a toll road, but you can use the free interstate that parallels it for most of its length. (I use the NJ turnpike as there is WAY less traffic.)

[dalford]

Thanks to everyone for all the input. I will need to get my map out and preview your suggested routes and make a decision. Can't wait to get under way...

[dalford]

Originally Posted by rattleNsmoke

Gheesh, in the DC area it's rush hour all day! Stay away from 495 & 95 as mentioned. Cut thru to I-81 above Richmond and enjoy the scenery. BTW, there's a great KOA in Maryland if that's a stopping point. It's the Hagerstown\Antitem KOA. Very scenic and clean. Reservations recommended.
www.hagerstownkoa.com

We have changed up our route to pick up I-81 out of Charlotte. We are in no rush and would prefer to bypass the megalopolis of DC-Baltimoe-PA as much as possible. I bet it must be beautiful country driving the Appalachian chain and the Shenandoah Valley.

My question, how are the elevations and grades? We are passing thru in June so there is no weather concerns. I assume pretty good since it is interstate highway. We have a place in western NC so are familiar with driving in the Smokey Mtns. About the same?

[surv294]

Overall you have a good route and it minimizes tolls. Just be prepared for traffic in the DC, Baltimore, Harrisburg, and NY areas. Most traffic issues are between 6am - 9:30am and again 2:30pm - 6:30pm. Construction and accidents will add traffic headaches at any time.

[surv294]

For the I-81 routing: be careful on I-81 in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania - this is mostly a 4 lane divided highway with 2 lanes in each direction. Many trucks use this highway so the slow lane can be crowded and passing can be interesting (cars vs. trucks vs. RV's).

[rattleNsmoke]

Absolutely no problems with grades. I've run that route for years and the steepest grade is prolly NY State just past the Pennsylvania line headed East 'til the Hudson River. Ni big deal overall and gorgeous views.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by surv294

For the I-81 routing: be careful on I-81 in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania - this is mostly a 4 lane divided highway with 2 lanes in each direction. Many trucks use this highway so the slow lane can be crowded and passing can be interesting (cars vs. trucks vs. RV's).

Sounds like I-95, I-75 and most interstates I have traveled. I appreciate the info on the grades and roads. I can handle 2 lanes of divided highway, always gets more tricky when there a 6 lanes and you are in the wrong lane

We are in no hurry and will enjoy the views. We have driven from NY to Fl but did not pay a lot of attention to roads ( we were not towing a 30' TT). Been there, done that, so why not see another part of the country.

I'll let you know what I think later this summer. This portion of our trip will be the first week of a month long trip to Canada's east coast.

[asquared]

If you change your mind and want to stick w/ 95. I think the key bridge in Baltimore allows propane and is a shorter alternative to the beltway. Double check this before you go.

[Superdutykid]

85 come out of Atlanta thru charlotte not 81. 85 ends at 95 in Petersburg, Va. Run 95 to 301 back to 95 north of Baltimore

[dalford]

Originally Posted by Superdutykid

85 come out of Atlanta thru charlotte not 81. 85 ends at 95 in Petersburg, Va. Run 95 to 301 back to 95 north of Baltimore

Super.. sorry I was not more clear. I meant to say I would take I-77 from Columbia thru Charlotte and then continue north on I-77 to I-81.

I used Streets and trips and plotted a route from Jeckyll Island, GA to Jersey city via Columbia, Charlotte and I-81 to I-78 and then plotted route via DC, Baltimore then pick up I-81,78 at Harrisburg. The parameters being the same (speed, travel time, etc ) it was only a little over an hour more going I-81 up from Charlotte. I'm leaning to I-81 and scenery versus megalopolis and 8 lane traffic. I'm used to driving 2 lane interstate with trucks as I drive I-97, I-75 a lot.

Here is the calculation from S&T...

via DC, Baltimore to Harrisburg
943 miles
3 days, 1 hour, 39 min
drive time 16 hrs, 54 min

via 81 from N of Charlotte
984 miles
3 days, 2 hours, 19 min
Total drive time 17hr, 34 min