So have to drive down to a wedding in Raleigh, NC area over Memorial day weekend. Plan on driving down from Philly area on 95 leaving on Thursday morning. I know historically that the Baltimore to DC and around the beltway can be horrible in rush hour. So questions......I know traffic in general has lightened up due to Covid, is that traffic down there still as bad? If I wanted to miss that traffic, what time do I have to get to let's say the top of the beltway North of DC not to hit the worst of it.
Need some traffic advice for Baltimore/DC area
- Thread starter Cletus11
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It's not just Balto-Wash - traffic will be tight all the way as many people will head to the Outer Banks. Plus, a lot of restrictions are loosening up, so more people will be on the road.
But...how much time you got? If you have time for a leisurely drive, then head down to Cape May and take the ferry and cut across the DelMarVa peninsuala and from there, can either stay east of DC, and head down to Richmond, or just stay on 13 to Va Beach (which will also be crowded). If you do that, you can head west to Rocky Mount, and then onto Raleigh
Keep in mind no matter where you go, there will be traffic.
Too late to fly?
But...how much time you got? If you have time for a leisurely drive, then head down to Cape May and take the ferry and cut across the DelMarVa peninsuala and from there, can either stay east of DC, and head down to Richmond, or just stay on 13 to Va Beach (which will also be crowded). If you do that, you can head west to Rocky Mount, and then onto Raleigh
Keep in mind no matter where you go, there will be traffic.
Too late to fly?
In the DMV, traffic has returned to close to pre-covid status. If possible do your I-95/495 driving between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM. Holiday weekend will be bad, but leaving on a Thursday might not be horrible. Use Waze to keep an eye on accidents and divert if needed.
Traffic on 95 from Baltimore to Richmond Va ALWAYS sucks so it really makes no difference when you leave. Only time it's not bad is late at night.
made the decision to drive as wasn't sure until recently I could actually go and if i was invited (venue would not give the bride and groom the amount of people allowed until recently due to the covid rules). i have done the delmarva route down to VA beach a few times, nice drive. I forgot about the outer banks traffic. I have all day to do the trip (planned on coming back on Sunday afternoon/night drive) as I know Monday traffic is insane about everywhere.
I was planning on leaving my house about 5AM which puts me to baltimore at about 6:30AM and hoping to get south of DC around the loop before the traffic gets real bad and then stop for breakfast down south of DC somewhere.
I live in Fayetteville and my family is in York so I’m very familiar with that drive. If you’re leaving Thursday morning, I’d leave philly around 0800. Hit Baltimore around 1000, DC at 1100, Richmond around 1200. Big thing is you’re stacking each city, so while yeah leaving philly around 0800 might suck till you’re out of the area, I’d rather deal with a little traffic at first than hit traffic in Baltimore then dc then Richmond at the peak lunch hours. Richmond isn’t bad because of the 295 loop so use that for sure.
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You need to be through Baltimore by 7 to avoid traffic. Then it'll be ugly from there once you get halfway to DC.
If you have all day, take 95 South to Delaware, take 13/1 to 301 west/south to 50 into Annapollis, then back on 301 all the way to Richmond... I have done parts of that ride on my bike, and it's just so much more enjoyable than 95. And you bypass the Balto Wash nonsense.
looked that up, only adds about 45 minutes to the trip length. is 301 a highway or more two lane road with lights? is it scenic?
From what I remember, it's a little bit of both - kind of like 322 heading up to SC from H'Burg. Definitely more scenic. I recall a few traffic lights, but not a lot. I did the portion from Richmond heading north.
The above by PSURO. The only way to avoid the Baltimore/Washington/Richmond traffic on the east side is 301. It has small towns and traffic lights here and there but also two lane each way roads for faster travel. Plus as noted, it is a pretty ride. I go to Florida and back each winter/spring and depending upon what day and which way I am going I will take the 301. For me, the worst stretch of the I95 is from DC to Richmond. I have yet to figure out what the slowdown is all about.
I take the I95 through Delaware and just before the first toll area there is a right turn off of I95 onto a more rural road south to 301. Sorry for not being more specific.
I take the I95 through Delaware and just before the first toll area there is a right turn off of I95 onto a more rural road south to 301. Sorry for not being more specific.
Personally, I avoid the Baltimore DC area at all costs. But I get it's really inconvenient when you're starting out in Philly. I would travel in the middle of the night through that area for the best chance to avoid traffic. Although that's not always the case either. I hit bumper to bumper traffic at 2 am on a Saturday on the beltway. That's the last time I took that route to the beach.
thanks for advice, i drive down to Delaware beaches all the time so getting on 13/1 and 301 won't be an issue. Sounds like the way to go.
I was just about to suggest the same- I live between Baltimore and DC and often take this route when traveling to Richmond. It is a little longer but definitely not as boring. Four lanes a lot of the way but have never encountered traffic. Runs you through lots of small towns but also plenty of opportunities to pull in for a bite or gas (in Maryland- once you cross into Virginia its' more rural). I find it a more interesting ride.
You wouldn't need to go through Annapolis (unless you wanted to - great town- maybe stop for lunch). I would pick up 97 south at 695. It turns into Rt3 when you cross 32 and turns into Rt301 when you cross 50. Stay on it through Walforf and down across the tall scary bridge into Virginia.
Route 95 is known to be where "holiday vacations go to die". Lots of nice direct flights from PHL...... If I cant talk you into that my advice is to leave at 3:00 am or do the 301 route as others have suggested. For me I would rather get up 2 hours earlier than spend 2 hours in a jam.
you are going on Thursday. OBX traffic will not be that bad. That's Sat/Sun. Friday evening/Sat/Sun is bad with people heading to the Del/MD beaches. 6:30 am is going to be too late to make it through Balt/DC stretch without hitting traffic on a work day. I'd suffer and be on the road by 4AM if not earlier. We dropped off the dog at my sister in law on Long Island last time we went to the OBX. Left at 2AM. The drive sucked, I did the whole drive but we made it. Once you got past the drunks on LI/Staten Island/NJ it was smooth sailing. The public intoxication on the highways pretty scary.
All the alternatives are really out of your way, best advice is from poster above, go 95 and 495 but leave asshole early. Like 3 am, you’ll be on the south side of DC by 5:30-6. Safe drive!!!!!
I drive Phila to SC several times a year. Traffic was awesome last spring and summer but now is almost back to normal.
I usually leave at 3 am and that gets me thru Baltimore and DC before rush hour And to Richmond before 8 am. That said I recently left at 10 am and didn’t find the traffic that bad and I didn’t have to drive in the dark. They do the road work on 95 at night.
it’s a crapshoot with accidents and roadwork no matter when you leave
I usually leave at 3 am and that gets me thru Baltimore and DC before rush hour And to Richmond before 8 am. That said I recently left at 10 am and didn’t find the traffic that bad and I didn’t have to drive in the dark. They do the road work on 95 at night.
it’s a crapshoot with accidents and roadwork no matter when you leave
My wife and I take the LePetomane Thruway. Very scenic drive with little to no traffic. Mind you the toll plazas are somewhat antiquated and only take exact change.
Its not only Baltimore- DC where I-95 is bad. DC - Richmond is bad too.
I live in the DC area and when going south (to NC or further south) or north (to NJ or NY) I tend to take the 301 route and just completely avoid I-95 from the Delaware line to Richmond.
Coming from western PA, I stick to the west and jump on 95 in Fredericksburg. 295 around Richmond isn't bad. And I don't mind 95 that much. I usually travel at night, so I miss much of the heavier traffic anyway.
We went to the Outer Banks last year and I found 64 from Williamsburg to Norfolk absolute torture. Loved the Outer Banks, hated getting there and home. We travelled during the day, so I don't know how night traffic is down that way. This year we are going to Carolina Beach, near Wilmington so I'll miss that mess.
I make the drive from MD to VA beach quite often to see my in-laws. Don’t underestimate the terrible traffic in Fredericksburg, VA. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat in traffic there wishing I had taken the eastern shore route.
living in the NoVa area, it sucks no matter what, no matter what time of day, no matter what route...there are no side roads that are immune...301...1..17..29...15...every freaking road you are thinking about, it will be slammed...the amount of slamming you want to take will depend on the time of day you get through that area but no time is immune...1 accident, 1 rando cop blocking a lane for no apparent reason...you're screwed...be prepared to sit, wait, and be stop and go. It routinely takes 2 hours to travel 35-40 miles.
the only time you'll have a shot to go straight through is 9pm-2am..cause most people around here work on flex time and will start going into work at 3am and leave work at 2
the only time you'll have a shot to go straight through is 9pm-2am..cause most people around here work on flex time and will start going into work at 3am and leave work at 2
To avoid Williamsburg - Norfolk on I64. Do the following.
While on I95 South from Fredericksburg, set GPS for Smithfield via VA Route 10.
When near Smithfield, set GPS to Portsmouth VA.
When nearing Portsmouth VA to OBX destination.
Will take you around western shore of bay and back on to I64 south of Norfolk. About 1/2 hour longer, but sure beats getting stuck in traffic from Williamsburg to Norfolk.
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Thank you. I will keep that in mind for our next trip down there. I was also eyeing up US 460 off of 95 and snaking across.
There is only one good solution to traffic on I95 and that is to FLY. I95 is a nightmare pretty much any time of day or night.
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