To Florida Route

[daverain]

Hi All,
We are going to drive to disney from n.j. next month without the trailer and friends have suggested a alternate route because we will be leaving new jersey on a friday in the a.m. and to avoid rt. 95. While we have almost always lucked out pulling the camper thru d.c. richmond, etc. with few or no problems,we are actually considering this route. Rt.78 to Rt. 81 to Rt. 77 to Rt.26 back onto 95. Any pros or cons, traffic probs. or not, scenic or not? After all these years of Rt.95, change of pace would be welcome?
Thanks,
Dave and Rainy

[whj77372]

Having done the NJ (Cranford) to south Florida for more then 20 years, IMHO, it is best to just go down IH 95. The way you are thinking about is out of the way and a good bit longer. Just be careful of your travel times because I just read that the DC area is the worst place for traffic in the whole country. Good Luck and have a great trip.

[Sirsea]

IMO, unless you want to do some sightseeing along the way I-95 is the most direct and shortest route. Towed our trailer around DC and Baltimore last summer and it was not as bad as I had expected, but then we drove Houston traffic every day for 20+ years......

[10Isola]

Took 95 down to Disney last year. Got lucky by leaving Philly @ 3am, and missed most of the DC traffic. Decided to come home the Charlotte to 81 route to PA Turnpk, and it wasn't all that bad. I believe it only added another hour to our trip. IMHO well worth it for not having to deal with the possible DC mess. 81 has more hills, and doesn't have as many lanes though. Not bad if your traveling the weekend - less truck traffic. Travel safe.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by daverain

Hi All,
We are going to drive to disney from n.j. next month without the trailer and friends have suggested a alternate route because we will be leaving new jersey on a friday in the a.m. and to avoid rt. 95. While we have almost always lucked out pulling the camper thru d.c. richmond, etc. with few or no problems,we are actually considering this route. Rt.78 to Rt. 81 to Rt. 77 to Rt.26 back onto 95. Any pros or cons, traffic probs. or not, scenic or not? After all these years of Rt.95, change of pace would be welcome?
Thanks,
Dave and Rainy

I am planning a trip to Maine in June and plan to stay in the Liberty RV Park parking lot for a couple of nights located in Jersey City. I have decided to take the route you are considering. I decided I am not in a big hurry and just want to bypass the megalopolis of DC, Baltimore, Philly. I also mapped it out using Streets and Trips and the time was within an hour of each other. I've never been on I-81 but the scenery has to be much better than the mess you will encounter on I-95.

[prof_fate]

If you go 'left' around DC beltway you'll do better than gonig 'right'. I"m not sure where 95 runs.
Been to baltimore many times on 95 and to dc from 70/270 direction (coming from western pa).

Did 79-77-26-95 a couple of times and it's not bad. All 4 lane.

Came up 81 from NC about 5 years ago pulling a camper - lots of traffic and lots of cops - everyone was going the speedlimit or below - compared to 95 where well, 95 is the speed everyone seems to want to travel.

[daverain]

Thanks all, will most likely leave real real early in the am , get thru dc before 6:30...
Return trip a bit more relaxed, may take the 17 to 81 route
Dave and Rainy

[Herk7769]

My tips.

NOW, I use the NJ turnpike to RT 13 through Delaware and take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel into Norfolk; then RT 58 to I 95 and straight down to FL.

It is a bit longer but avoids the traffic of all the major cities (except Norfolk which is not too bad in the afternoon). Pleasant drive all the way. The Bay Bridge is FUN to drive and worth doing just to say you did it. Just remember there is a limit on how many propane cylinders you can have (3) and they MUST be turned off.

As to I 95 (which was my previous route), BEWARE of Baltimore. You MUST use the Key Bridge route east of Baltimore as the tunnels BAN all propane carrying vehicles. Not just OFF; BANNED. Don't ask how I know (expensive ticket - I thought they were talking about tank trucks - they were not - any size means just that).

Also there is heavy construction on the Washington beltway; MUCH worse to the west; so stay to the east.

Your GPS will want you to take the Baltimore parkway. DO NOT go that route. Trucks are prohibited for a reason. VERY low overpasses. STAY on I 95 with the trucks. Follow ALL the truck routing on I 95.

[Homejames]

Just did the I84 ti 81 to 77 etc to South FL. I81 sustained a lot of road damage last winter. Back still hurts If I had to do it again I would have gone on 95. Also using Route 13 is a good alternative around DC, just watch for speed traps

[dalford]

Herk, I looked at this route and notice US1 qnd 13 co-mingle in Delaware. Do you stay on 13 or do you use US1. Streets and Trips has me using US1

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by dalford

Herk, I looked at this route and notice US1 qnd 13 co-mingle in Delaware. Do you stay on 13 or do you use US1. Streets and Trips has me using US1

Yes, US1/US13 till south of Dover then take US13 to the bridge/tunnel.

As you can see US1 goes to Rehoboth Beach on the coast and you don't want to go that way.

[dalford]

Thanks Herk, I still have not decided. I'm always wary of US1 and other small state roads as they tend to lead you thru every town and I end up hitting every stop light. Is US13/US1 stop and go? Might be better than a beat up Interstate Highway.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by dalford

Thanks Herk, I still have not decided. I'm always wary of US1 and other small state roads as they tend to lead you thru every town and I end up hitting every stop light. Is US13/US1 stop and go? Might be better than a beat up Interstate Highway.

There is some limited access (mostly to Dover) then it is 4 lane with lights then bouts of 2 lane. Average speed is about 50 MPH for the route. Traffic can get busy around the Washington feeder and Dover. (Watch out on Race Weekend!)

I think it is a much more pleasant drive than the white knuckle 95 corridor.

[Jersey Guy]

Originally Posted by Homejames

Just did the I84 ti 81 to 77 etc to South FL. I81 sustained a lot of road damage last winter. Back still hurts If I had to do it again I would have gone on 95. Also using Route 13 is a good alternative around DC, just watch for speed traps

Planning on this route to Florida next month, how much damage is there to I81?

[dalford]

OK, I just returned from our trip to Canada and back to Florida. Let me say this about the roads, they all are terrible! We went up I-77 to I-81, lots of trucks and lots of pot holes in the roads. But, it never got better anywhere we went. we went all the way to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The roads in Canada are just as bad as the roads in the U.S.
Coming home we decided to use the US-13 route at the end of the NJ Turnpike. Wow, first of all if you are traveling the NJTP stay in the truck lane as the car lane backs up for ten miles due to the road going from 3 lanes to 2 lanes. Then don't hit US-13 about rush hour. Once you get down US-13 a ways it does move OK, but when you get to Norfolk you are way east of I-95. I don't know, I almost think I would have been better off staying on 95 thru the megalopolis of Baltimore and DC but probably 6 of one half a dozen of the other. The roads suck in the north due to the weather beating and the lack of maintenance. Go the way you want, tighten your seat belt and enjoy your self.

[LJ_Sha]

I live in Delaware and RT 1 and RT 13 are both 4 lane highways through the state. RT 1 has a toll in the north part and is 65 MPH. Do not stay on RT 1 to the beach area get on RT 13 or RT 113 (113 is also 4 lanes). RT 13 and RT 113 both meet in south Maryland to the bridge tunnel. The road turns into 2 lanes somewhere in south Maryland / northern Virginia area. You will hit traffic lights on both RT 13 and 113 in small towns but not really a big deal. The summer time traffic is bad from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. If leaving in the early hours traffic would not be bad. The bridge tunnel in Virginia will cost you about $12 for vehicle only and I believe $20 + for vehicle/camper. I have gone across and down I95 to get to Richmond area and traffic in DC is horrible. The traffic using the RT 13 or RT 113 path is much better w/o the DC traffic.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by LJ_Sha

I live in Delaware and RT 1 and RT 13 are both 4 lane highways through the state. RT 1 has a toll in the north part and is 65 MPH. Do not stay on RT 1 to the beach area get on RT 13 or RT 113 (113 is also 4 lanes). RT 13 and RT 113 both meet in south Maryland to the bridge tunnel. The road turns into 2 lanes somewhere in south Maryland / northern Virginia area. You will hit traffic lights on both RT 13 and 113 in small towns but not really a big deal. The summer time traffic is bad from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. If leaving in the early hours traffic would not be bad. The bridge tunnel in Virginia will cost you about $12 for vehicle only and I believe $20 + for vehicle/camper. I have gone across and down I95 to get to Richmond area and traffic in DC is horrible. The traffic using the RT 13 or RT 113 path is much better w/o the DC traffic.

LJ, It was a nice drive once we got a little south of the NJTP. Unfortunately, we hit it on Friday at rush hour. We drove to G&R to spend the night. I was probably frustrated coming off NJTP and before that being hung up in traffic on GW Bridge in New York. I'm a Florida boy from a small town and not used to dealing with the terrible traffic. As I reflect back it was a nice drive.