Hi Folks, coming from Canada, via I-81, looking for an alternate route from Gettysburg to Myrtle Beach, driving on a Saturday, will hit Washington around 3:30 - 4 PM. Last year (1st time) got caught in a massive traffic jam, though it was 1 PM. Research tells me this is normal for I-95 Saturdays.
Looking for an alternate route via google, without adding too many miles seems to be US 15 and US 17 to Falmouth/Fredericksbugh, VA, then getting back on I95. Will likely stop in Ashland for the night.
Questions: Does I-95 South between Washington and Richmond ever get better (any times). Does traffic ease around 4PM?
Will I bypass enough traffic by accessing through Falmouth/Fredericksburg (google adds about 25 mins to the journey) to warrant the detour?
Thanks,
Jimmy
Alternate I-95 (Wash. to Richmond) route to Myrtle Beach
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A massive traffic jam on 495 around Washington is not "normal" for Saturdays. What IS "normal" is a real slowdown on I-95 south of the Beltway until you hit Route 3 in Fredericksburg.
Stay on I81 to I66 east and pick up 15/17 in Marshal and continue to Fredericksburg.
As you come south--I think it will be "what it is"--I95, etc., DO think about heading east on I40 to Wilmington, and then sout on Rout17 to MB.
I drive this route many times every year and have never run into a traffic jam on a Saturday except during Christmas shopping season when traffic for malls, notably Potomac Mills in Woodbridge, backs up onto I-95, creating the problems to which Dukey refers.
Gretchen's route is more attractive and interesting but will not save you any time. I would strongly recommend it if you were interested in a road trip for its own sake.
When we have driven through that area we purposely plan to go on Saturday because the traffic is not that bad. Maybe there was a particular situation going on when you passed through last year.
You're right about not saving time but it won't lose any either. I95 stays pretty far west below I40 and going over to 17 gets you on the coast. Wilmington is only about an hour north of MB.
Your research is correct -- I95 between DC & Richmond is miserable on most Saturdays in the summer. The last time we got stuck in it, it was so bad we bailed at Woodbridge. When in a restaurant there, I asked the hostess why was so bad all the time? She replied, "If you lived here would you want to stay on weekends?" Basically lots of people head South to the beaches.
I also might add that Route17 is a good 4 lane road that bypasses towns, and is a fast drive. Once you leave i95 to head for MB, you have a LOT of stop and go traffic, and a lot of slow left lane drivers!! Ask me how I know!!