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I-95 South Around Washington D.C.

Submitted by Community Manager, March 24, 2009

Question: In April I'll be driving to Florida again for the 4th year in a row. I have always used the CAA Trip Tik and they have always sent me down the I-95, which has always been fine, with the exception of a few slowdowns around the Washington DC leg of the trip. While reading a few other blogs about this drive, some people have mentioned the I-84 west onto the I-81 south then the I-26 east back to the I95. Using your click and drag option on your map, this adds about 3 hours to the trip that is usually given using just the I-95. I have driven in 3 hours worth of congestion on the I-95 near Washington, so would the I-81 be a good idea?

Answer: AAA Account Manager Matt Lyle says: Since I live at the congestion point, the Washington DC area, I know firsthand about the traffic on I-95/I-495 around the Washington Beltway. If you can avoid the weekday rush hours periods of 6 AM - 10 AM and 3 PM - 7 PM, you should be able to pass through at a reasonable speed.
You did not say when you are traveling but the Washington Cherry Blossom Festival is March 28 to April 12. The peak blooming date is around April 4th. Check the website for blooming updates as you get closer to your trip. It’s a great time to be in Washington—in spite of the traffic hassles. I'd also recommend the I-84 to I-81 to I-77 to I-26 route which will avoid the Washington, DC area and put you back on I-95 in South Carolina. •         I-84 takes you through the Poconos
•         I-81 takes you across Central PA and down the Shenandoah Valley of VA.
•         I-77 takes you south through NASCAR country past Charlotte to Columbia.
•         I-26 takes you back to I-95. Use the TripTik Travel Planner and AAA TourBook guides to identify lodgings, restaurants and attractions along the route. Have a great trip and remember to buckle up.

Categories: [Q&A with AAA], [Washington DC]

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Submitted by BetsyB, March 25. 2009 14:19

I will be driving down to FL from CT tomorrow. Will be hitting DC area about 6PM unfortunately. How much time do you think the I-84 etc route will add?
Your question and answer are timely and helpful. Thanks

Submitted by Matt Lyle, March 26. 2009 14:30

BetsyB:

I just ran 2 trips using TripTik Travel Planner from Hartford, CT to Jacksonville, FL.

Using I-95-- 16 hours, 1,059 miles

Using I-84, 81, 77, 26-- 17 hours, 18 minutes, 1,169 miles

I'll let you decide. After your trip please comment on your route and let me know how it worked for you.

Submitted by Goof, March 30. 2009 17:14

Is 84 to 81 to 77 to 26 a good alternate in the winter?

Submitted by Matt Lyle, March 31. 2009 10:42

Dear Goof:

It would depend on the weather forecast. I-84, I-81 and the northern end of I-77 are all mountains and valleys. Ice and fog can occur without warning-- but most days in the winter are clear and dry. I'd check weather.com before the trip. Be safe and buckle up.

Submitted by Rick Martin, April 9. 2009 14:32

How about from NY to Virginia Beach. Any alternates that would work for me?

Thank you

Submitted by Matt Lyle, April 13. 2009 07:29

Rick:
The usual way from NYC is NJ Turnpike- I-95 and I-64, but you have to deal with all the traffic and hassles around Baltimore, Washington and south to Richmond. TripTik Travel Planner says: 440 miles, 6:48 hours.
Your best alternate is NJ Turnpike- I-95- DE 1 and US 13 using the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. TTP says: 362 miles, 6:05 hours. The Bridge-Tunnel does have a $12.00 car toll each way. This takes you across DELMARVA and thru chicken country.
Try the Bridge-Tunnel route and let me know how it works for you.

Submitted by Terry , April 22. 2009 10:50

I can also recommend taking I-81 to I-66 to RT 17 to to Fredericksburg to I-95 to avoid the DC area.

Submitted by elaine, April 30. 2009 11:13

After 17 yrs of traveling from NJ to Myrtle Beach we just discovered beautiful 301 which takes you over the chesapeake bay around Annapolis, MD. You never see the awful Washington, Baltimore , Alexandria mess on 95. You then come back to 95 below the mess. It is a decent speed , nicer scenery and no SITTING STILL.
I would rather have some traffic lights then sit in what we have sat in.

Submitted by Rick Martin, April 30. 2009 13:13

Matt,

Thank you for your comment. My GPS actually took me that way! It was a decent ride down 13 even with all the stop lights. I'd still rather stop for them than have to deal with bumper to bumper traffic! That's the way I'll go from now on!!

Submitted by Curtis, February 11. 2010 17:11

Question: What is the best time of day/day of week to travel the Washington d.c. beltway? We travel by RV, normally using I/270 to I/495 to I/95 southbound and reversing that northbound. Last year northbound, mid march, was atrocious around noon Sunday.

Submitted by Matt Lyle, February 11. 2010 17:12

Curtis:

There is major construction on the western side of the Beltway (I-495) in VA. This will last for 3 more years due to the widening of the Beltway for HOT lanes from the junction with I-95 north to the Dulles Toll Road (14 miles). Over 50 bridges and underpasses have to re-built to accommodate these lanes.

You may want to consider traveling through this area during weekday mid-day hours. Major construction delays tend to happen at night and on weekends. Before you travel, check this link for lane closures and delays… http://www.virginiahotlanes.com/news-alerts.asp

Your other option is to use US 15 & US 17 to avoid the DC area. This route runs south from Frederick, MD. You will get back on I-95 just north of Fredericksburg, VA.

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I-95 South Around Washington D.C.

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