which way do i go?

[brobinson0857]

Planning trip to Tampa. I live in Hudson valley NY. I Planned 3 stops on way down, using I-84, I-81, I-95 to I-75. I think it's a little longer than taking I-95. Or I can take US 13

[ScottBrownstein]

That will work. I have done it that way or you can also cut off I81 at 77, go down through Charlotte to Columbia, take 26 to 95 then 95 to 10, then 301 to 75 and on to Tampa. The 301 shortcut is worth it and have never had any problem going north or south.

[mwdilday]

13 is going to be slow going. My computer says the best route is 95 - Maryland 295 - 695 around DC - 395 - 95 - 10 - 75.

[HGSpartan]

Having lived in the VA/DC area - I would avoid it at all costs especially at rush hour 0600-1000 and 1500-1930. A lot of road work and crazy traffic. 81 to 77 is a pretty drive.

[ScottBrownstein]

I would avoid DC if at all possible. Funny but road engineers should consult some plumbers. You can't go from 4 lanes to 3 and then to 2 without backing things up.

[GL1800Rider]

Instead of taking I-95 into Jacksonville, take exit 373 off of I-95 (hwy 200) to US 301 at Callahan which will avoid I-10 completely. There is a little bit of a slow down at Starke on 301 but the new bypass should be completed soon if not already. Hwy 326 north of Ocala will take you over to I-75 with a Pilot fuel stop just before the interstate. Depending on the time of day, there is a little bit of a backup getting onto I-75 but is still the best way.

[kawac14]

We make this trip twice a year from northern NJ. We avoid 95 thru the NE corridor because of tolls ($$), tunnels (LP gas) and traffic. Two routes that we favor are 81 from Harrisburg to 77, thru charlotte, then cut over 26 to 95, then to Jacksonville 10 to 301 to 75 ocala. The other route we like is 15 south from Harrisburg thru Gettysburg to 270, then cut over to the west beltway (495) south to 95 and from there the same as above. The west beltway around DC and 95 south can be an issue depending on time of day and day of week. Came back from Tampa with an overnight stop (Fri Jul 12) in Enfield NC, then early departure (4 am Sat) up 95 thru Richmond and 495 West Beltway to 270 and sailed right through with no traffic problems. 15 thru Gettysburg is a nice, pretty divided highway and a nice break from the interstates.

[brobinson0857]

Thank you everyone. I left out going down I-77 2nd stop is in charlotte. Had discussion w/ brother he said I was taking long way. NJTP expensive. and not worth paying to sit in traffic for construction for pot holes that are the size of craters

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by ScottBrownstein

I would avoid DC if at all possible. Funny but road engineers should consult some plumbers. You can't go from 4 lanes to 3 and then to 2 without backing things up.

Well said, also applies to PA and NJ.

[Adrian Gordon]

Originally Posted by mwdilday

13 is going to be slow going. My computer says the best route is 95 - Maryland 295 - 695 around DC - 395 - 95 - 10 - 75.

Having lived in this general area for a good part of my life, let me assure you that I 95 around Baltimore and DC is NEVER the best route anywhere.

[jrowe0521]

I would avoid I-81 due to heavy truck traffic. Avoid I-95 due to traffic. Look at rt 15 south of Harrisburg pa down to I-66 west of DC then rt 29 south to I-40 in NC. From there either to 95 or 77. Hardly any trucks. Use GPS to remind you when to turn as rt 15 & 29 change roads several times. Around Leesburg va there is about 60 mi of 55 mph.

[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by jrowe0521

I would avoid I-81 due to heavy truck traffic. Avoid I-95 due to traffic. Look at rt 15 south of Harrisburg pa down to I-66 west of DC then rt 29 south to I-40 in NC. From there either to 95 or 77. Hardly any trucks. Use GPS to remind you when to turn as rt 15 & 29 change roads several times. Around Leesburg va there is about 60 mi of 55 mph.

I guess that would work but frankly it isn't the trucks that bother me, it's the cars cutting in and out trying to go 85 MPH and the stop and go and stop again...and feeling like I had nowhere to go when sharing the road with 5 lanes of traffic. Truckers always seem to be courteous and allow for my 50 foot length with a TOAD and give me plenty of room to maneuver. Simply stated...TRUCKERS WATCH TURN SIGNALS and let you change lanes when you need to.

To each his own.

[cfo111]

If you don't have a rear camera on back for merging you should I would help for crazy's trying to pass you while you are trying to get over. I'm talking about those who ziza around ever one to gain a second.

[JWood422]

We take I-77 to I-81 when driving to and from Binghamton, NY. My wife’s family finally convinced me to try I-95. It saved around 30 minutes over a 12 hour drive. Worst 30 minute I’ve ever saved. I’ll never do that again.

[Adrian Gordon]

We live just off I 81. The truck traffic is heavy, but it does not bother me in the RV. I pretty much sit in the right lane and move along at 60 to 65 miles an hour with the trucks. The road drives me crazy when I'm in a car. The truck drivers on this road are simply rude and inconsiderate. They will sit in the left lane for miles at 50 - 55 miles an hour and refuse to let car traffic by. My fantasy is to come back in my next life as a state trooper on I 81. I'll keep the state treasury afloat with the way these guys drive.

[rlh1957]

For our travels we avoid I-95 anytime we can. Even when it takes us miles out of the way. We feel less stress. Just don't like the ride and traffic. Always traffic on interstates and construction and wrecks... we just have been unlucky enough to hit all of them when on I-95. Everyone has their horror stories of states and section of highways. The East Coast North South corridor just sucks.

[JKinFLA]

The worst part of 95 is the section between DC & Richmond

[rlh1957]

Yes I agree... I-95 from Richmond to Philadelphia has got to be a real white knuckle stressful day. Cars love to test your ability to swerve and stop fast.

[Moonrider]

i-495 around DC, I-95 between DC and Richmond, and 1-81 through the Valley of VA are on the list of "Avoid at all costs." They may be the shortest distance between two points, but rarely will they be the quickest.

Example: I had a show yesterday in Locust Grove, VA. From my house, travel time from my house and the singers house up I-95 was nominally 80 minutes. He left an hour before I did, went 95, and as usual traffic was backed up. Waze routed me the "long" way because of backups on 95, and I pulled in 15 minutes after he did, and made a 10 minute pit stop on the way.

So unless there's a low clearance issue, or SUPER twisty, narrow roads, or just "can't get there from here" without using those routes. I avoid 'em.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by mwdilday

13 is going to be slow going. My computer says the best route is 95 - Maryland 295 - 695 around DC - 395 - 95 - 10 - 75.

Not slow going at all. Been going that way since 1975. GPS has it all wrong. Stay off 95 as much as possible. 81/77/20/95. Run 95 only to north of JAX. Use 301 from jax down to Ocla. I don't use 10 either. Use a1a north of 10 and get onto 301.