Anyone drive 95 recently?

[Delaware Mike]

Originally Posted by mzznlink

There's a way around the Delaware toll that also allows a stop at a Wawa for gas and hoagies.

Okay, here's the deal if ya want Wawa:

Get off I-95 at exit 1, and take southbound Delaware Route 896.

Travel south on 896 until you get to the first traffic light (Old Baltimore Pike) and turn right.

Travel west on Old Baltimore Pike to Otts Chapel Road and turn right.

You'll go over I-95, and continue on Otts Chapel Road until you reach Elkton Road. Turn left.

You'll enter Maryland, and the Wawa will be on the right.

After getting your hoagie and coffee, exit out of the Wawa parking lot and turn right on Elkton Road. The exit to re-enter I-95 will be about one mile (and you bypass the Delaware/Maryland state line toll on I-95, which is $4.00).

[missa986]

Although I'm sure I'm just echoing what everyone else has said, but...

I've lived right outside of Richmond, also lived in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, have frequently drove to DC/MD to visit Dfiance's family, and I grew up in North Carolina and could drive 81 to 77 in my sleep (all of this before I moved to Oregon, of course..)

Most importantly: ALWAYS take 295 around Richmond. I NEVER go through the city. As others have mentioned, its 55 MPH, its really congested most of the time and the roads absolutely suck. 295 is a relatively new highway, so the road is easy driving and its 70 MPH. It may be longer, but the driving time is a wash.

81 to 77 is a beautiful, scenic drive, but it is a little out of the way. It's 65 MPH through Virginia, and 70 MPH when you hit North Carolina until you get close to Charlotte, but it is a little out of the way to take it all the way down.

Sticking to the shore and taking the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel will definitely be scenic, but if you are driving through the VA/NC coastal area during a weekend, I wouldn't do it. Beach traffic is miserable through there during the summer. Worst on Fridays and Sundays.

My biggest fear would be going around the MD/DC/NOVA area. I HATE driving around DC. The only time I made it successfully around without getting stuck in traffic was at midnight.

At least through Virginia, I might suggest taking 81 south to Staunton, Virginia and then hopping on 64 east and cut over to 295 around Richmond and hop on 95 south of Richmond. That way you bypass DC with a beautiful drive, stay all on interstate, and get around Richmond.

When I visit my Grandparents in Jersey, I always take 64 to 81.

Have a great trip!

[MuppetMom]

Originally Posted by melk

We are driving from Boston to Hilton Head soon. I went to AAA to get maps and the woman advised me against taking 95. She said that the traffic in Richmond has been tremendous and we should avoid it at all costs. She gave me two alternate routes, one taking the inland route (81?) and the other one going 95 but then going through Delaware and over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, hooking back up with 95 near the NC border.

Any opinions on these routes?

Thank you for any tips/advice!!

We drove I95 in VA on our way from PA to WDW the end of June (going there) and in the middle of July (coming home) - no problems. We always take the Richmond by-pass (I think it is I-295) I takes you around Richmond on the east side.

We live by I81 and only used it to go to WDW once - to avoid DC. It took us much longer We have never used it since.

I95 in general was busy near the beach exits - the closer we got to I64 - where you exit for VA beach, closer to Outer Banks exits, etc. But, we drove down on the Saturday prior to the 4th of July. The way home - it was great driving.

Good luck with your drive. Hope you enjoy the trip