Driving - Washington DC to New York City
Jul 15th, 2001, 11:21 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Driving - Washington DC to New York City
Hello
I have a similar enquiry to the URGENT INFO enquiry on a previous posting. At very short notice we have changed flight tickets and are now flying into Washington DC (from the UK)- orginally we were flying into New York. We now are looking at driving from DC to NY - can anyone compile an example itinerary, as we have no idea of routes.
Due to pre-arrangements we have to be NY on certain nights, so would drive direct from the Washington Airport to New York, but would like a stop en-route for approx. 2 nights. Could we then drive to JFK and leave drop our hire car off, before heading into NYC?
The plan then would be to take an internal flight back to Washington and perhaps have 2 nights in the city there.
I really would appreciate some input on this and all advice is welcome.
Many, many thanks.
I have a similar enquiry to the URGENT INFO enquiry on a previous posting. At very short notice we have changed flight tickets and are now flying into Washington DC (from the UK)- orginally we were flying into New York. We now are looking at driving from DC to NY - can anyone compile an example itinerary, as we have no idea of routes.
Due to pre-arrangements we have to be NY on certain nights, so would drive direct from the Washington Airport to New York, but would like a stop en-route for approx. 2 nights. Could we then drive to JFK and leave drop our hire car off, before heading into NYC?
The plan then would be to take an internal flight back to Washington and perhaps have 2 nights in the city there.
I really would appreciate some input on this and all advice is welcome.
Many, many thanks.
Jul 16th, 2001, 12:57 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Kinda depends on which airport in DC, but regardless Interstate Highway 95 is a straight shot from DC to NY.
If you are flying into Dulle, take the Dulles Access Road east to I-495 towards Baltimore/NY. Then 495 to 95 North.
If you fly into Balt/Wash International, 95 north is right there.
It's only about a 5 hours drive to NYC from DC, but if you want to stop overnight in between, Baltimore is right along the way. Staying the night in the southern or central part of NJ is nice too. From there you can detour into Philadelphia (1 hour dr) or to the Jersey shore (1.5 hour dr) before heading up to NYC.
You can easily drop your rental off at JFK and take a cab into the city.
Have a good trip and e-mail if you have any other questions. I live near DC now and drive to NYC all the time.
Ciao
If you are flying into Dulle, take the Dulles Access Road east to I-495 towards Baltimore/NY. Then 495 to 95 North.
If you fly into Balt/Wash International, 95 north is right there.
It's only about a 5 hours drive to NYC from DC, but if you want to stop overnight in between, Baltimore is right along the way. Staying the night in the southern or central part of NJ is nice too. From there you can detour into Philadelphia (1 hour dr) or to the Jersey shore (1.5 hour dr) before heading up to NYC.
You can easily drop your rental off at JFK and take a cab into the city.
Have a good trip and e-mail if you have any other questions. I live near DC now and drive to NYC all the time.
Ciao
Jul 16th, 2001, 06:48 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
If you drive, I-95 is the most direct route. It basically runs past/through all the major cities on the East Coast. Between, NY and Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia are the most prominent.
If you are travelling this summer, there are some wonderful beach towns along the New Jersey shore. Cape May has numerous B&B's and Atlantic City has Big Casino Hotels. Both are less than three hours drive from New York. (Head North on I95 into Delaware and then connect to the New Jersey Turnpike.)
If you are not travelling in the summer, either Philadelphia or Baltimore would be fine for a short stayover.
As a NYer, I agree with the previous post that you should drop the car off in Manhattan. You do not need a car in NYC and the cost of parking will more than offset the cost of a taxi to JFK airport.
If you are travelling this summer, there are some wonderful beach towns along the New Jersey shore. Cape May has numerous B&B's and Atlantic City has Big Casino Hotels. Both are less than three hours drive from New York. (Head North on I95 into Delaware and then connect to the New Jersey Turnpike.)
If you are not travelling in the summer, either Philadelphia or Baltimore would be fine for a short stayover.
As a NYer, I agree with the previous post that you should drop the car off in Manhattan. You do not need a car in NYC and the cost of parking will more than offset the cost of a taxi to JFK airport.
Jul 16th, 2001, 08:21 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
As indicated in another note the trip to NYC will take around 5 hours. YOu might considere one night in Baltimore and one night in Philadelphia before heading to NYC. YOur best bet is to drop the car off in NYC. If the car must be returned to JFK use the approach that takes you across Staten Island avoiding driving into the city. Newark Airport could also be considered as a drop off for the car.
On the trip from D.C. you could wind up on the NJ Turnpike and you drive by Newark on that approach. Again, best bet is to drop off in the city.
On the trip from D.C. you could wind up on the NJ Turnpike and you drive by Newark on that approach. Again, best bet is to drop off in the city.
Jul 16th, 2001, 10:44 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Are you locked into this car idea? Could you be convinced to take Amtrak from DC to NYC? Wouldn't you rather relax on a train than drive 120KM on a 4 lane highway for 5 hours on the wrong side of the road?
I say this only because I've made that drive dozens of times and it's pretty darn boring. There's not alot to see, and, with all due respect to the citizens of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Atlantic City, there's really nothing along the route that is a "must see".
I say this only because I've made that drive dozens of times and it's pretty darn boring. There's not alot to see, and, with all due respect to the citizens of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Atlantic City, there's really nothing along the route that is a "must see".
Jul 16th, 2001, 10:54 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Pay close attention to XDHawk's advice about the beltway (495) direction to Baltimore ... going the opposite direction will take you into heavy construction and traffic jams. Be sure to stay on I95 North, which stays away from cities. And tael a look at a good map of NYC IF you plan to leave the Jersey Turnpike and venture in. Ciao
Jul 16th, 2001, 12:00 PM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
If you are flying into BWI, there is a free shuttle bus to the train station. You can take a commuter train to DC and spend a couple of nights there (especially if you weren't going to see it otherwise) and then take an Amtrak train to NYC. It is great because you end up right downtown in Manhattan. Or, if you would like to see Baltimore (another nice city with very different attractions than DC -- I highly suggest a tour if not a game at Camden Yards. How more American can you get than baseball! Theres even a Babe Ruth Museum.) Baltimore's Inner Harbor is fun (often outdoor entertainment in the summer) Plus more restaurants and clubs than you can imagine between the harbor, Little Italy, and Fells Point. Some are accessible by harbor boat-taxi. Then you can again take the train on up to Manhattan. (You'll pass through Baltimore if you leave from DC). If you fly in to Washington National (aka Ronald Reagan, but to most of us it will always be National) Airport you can take a metro train again to the city for a couple of nights stay. Or if you don't want to see either DC or Baltimore, the train also passes straight through Philadelphia. Any of these alternatives I would say these options are more appealing than driving. I've done my time on I95 between DC and NYC. It is an "ugly" drive -- looks pretty much the same all the way. OR, you might just want to check Southwest (or USAirway)'s airfares. My daughter and a friend came down on an $89 RT just this past weekend. I guess it depends on how many of you are traveling together.
Jul 16th, 2001, 12:32 PM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Yes, if you can definitely check out an alternate plan. Check the Amtrak website (www.amtrak.com). It's true, the trains do go through many of the same cities you'll be driving though, and you'll have a much better time, especially when you get to NY and don't have to worry about dropping the car off.
Jul 16th, 2001, 04:07 PM
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Plan B--
"With all due respect to Baltimore, Philadelphia...". OUCH. That statement was not very respectful at all. I would argue that there's so much to see and do in both cities, both of which brim with history and a unique feel. If you want to call them not "must see"s well then frankly, are DC and New York REALLY when it comes down to it, "must sees"? Sorry to pick on you, but I had to comment.
"With all due respect to Baltimore, Philadelphia...". OUCH. That statement was not very respectful at all. I would argue that there's so much to see and do in both cities, both of which brim with history and a unique feel. If you want to call them not "must see"s well then frankly, are DC and New York REALLY when it comes down to it, "must sees"? Sorry to pick on you, but I had to comment.
Jul 17th, 2001, 02:06 PM
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
I used to drive from DC to NYC several times a year, but I finally got really fed up with the traffic and everything that goes along with it.
So now I either fly or take the train. The train is great because you leave from Union Station in DC, and end up at Penn Station in NYC. It's about 3-3.5 hours. The cost of a round-trip ticket is roughly the same as a plane ticket. Plane, of course, is quicker. Flying from National Airport to LaGuardia is the best route.
If you still end up driving, I would advise against stopping in Baltimore for a night. Nothing against Baltimore, but it's only an hour from DC, so you're not making much progress toward NYC. Also, you can take the train to Baltimore from DC and spend a day there. I really like Baltimore. It's a very different city from Washington, but I like to think they complement each other. Avoid Atlantic City. What an armpit. Cape May is beautiful.
But there's so much to see in NYC and DC that I would spend my time in those two cities.
So now I either fly or take the train. The train is great because you leave from Union Station in DC, and end up at Penn Station in NYC. It's about 3-3.5 hours. The cost of a round-trip ticket is roughly the same as a plane ticket. Plane, of course, is quicker. Flying from National Airport to LaGuardia is the best route.
If you still end up driving, I would advise against stopping in Baltimore for a night. Nothing against Baltimore, but it's only an hour from DC, so you're not making much progress toward NYC. Also, you can take the train to Baltimore from DC and spend a day there. I really like Baltimore. It's a very different city from Washington, but I like to think they complement each other. Avoid Atlantic City. What an armpit. Cape May is beautiful.
But there's so much to see in NYC and DC that I would spend my time in those two cities.
Jul 20th, 2001, 10:16 AM
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
Get on www.amtrak.com to get fares/schedules and buy tickets.
The only thing I didn't like about the train was the fact that everyone rushes (both at Union and Penn Stations) to line up to get on the train in one huge pack--only a few cars have reserved seating. I've never had a problem getting a seat, but I hate having to wade through that crowd.
The only thing I didn't like about the train was the fact that everyone rushes (both at Union and Penn Stations) to line up to get on the train in one huge pack--only a few cars have reserved seating. I've never had a problem getting a seat, but I hate having to wade through that crowd.
Jul 22nd, 2001, 05:45 PM
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
The train is a great idea and easy unless you are arriving at Dulles in DC. Since the airport is far out another form of transportation is needed to get to the train. Unfortunatly that may be only a cab - $50 or so.
If you are coming in to Dulles and driving to NYC I suggest seeing the country side by avoiding I-95 and taking I-270 north through Maryland and various routes into Pennsylvania and then northeast to New Jersey. This is very scenic and many places to stay. Get a good map and you will have lots of choices of small towns or major highways.
If you have to get from DC to NYC you may as well enjoy it!
If you are coming in to Dulles and driving to NYC I suggest seeing the country side by avoiding I-95 and taking I-270 north through Maryland and various routes into Pennsylvania and then northeast to New Jersey. This is very scenic and many places to stay. Get a good map and you will have lots of choices of small towns or major highways.
If you have to get from DC to NYC you may as well enjoy it!
