ellen_griswold

Leaving florida on I 95 N (from Orlando /Daytona Beach) ~ anyone know of an alternate route(s) to avoid the inevitable backup and headache? Or are they equally as crowded? There must be a better way!!?? Any ideas gratefully appreciated!

mrsd2fan

Where are you headed?

ellen_griswold

We'll be headed up I 95 to Wytheville, Va, to visit friends on the way home.

Any and all ideas appreciated!

mrsd2fan

Why don't you take 75 north to 85 north (atlanta) to 77 north to 81 south? Just keep in mind that the traffic in Atlanta can be a headache during rush hour

ellen_griswold

Thank you, we'll chack that out!
So, do you know if I 75 is somewhat less congested than I95?

Neopolitan

Both are bad, but I've found I-75 less crowded than I-95, although the part of I-95 I hate the most is further north of where you're going, and the worst part of I-75 is Atlanta. You only need to stay on I-95 until you get to South Carolina. Going to I-75 from Daytona and looping west then east would be out of the way.

Your best bet is I-95 to I-26 in South Carolina, then at Columbia take I-77 almost straight north to Wytheville.

mrsd2fan

Actually Neopolotin's suggestion is best

ronkala

Ellen,
I also agree with Neopolitan (and freetrip.com).

A couple of years ago on a trip to Orlando, we detoured off I77 to visit family in the Atlanta area. Traffic there was terrible. Coming home we used 95/26, and 77 to 81 and it was much better. 26 and 77 are excellent highways.

ellen_griswold

Thank you all SO much for your replies.
Despite loving road trips, we are already dreading this one.

I think we'll try I 75 this time. However, to avoid altanta, we're thinking of taking SR 129 at Macon to I 20 to Columbia, SC and I77. While seemingly waaay out of the way, it couldn't possibly be worse than the moving parking lot on I 95.

Any thoughts; has anyone gone that way?

Thank you again for your replies.

Neopolitan

Maybe I'm out of touch. The worst parts of I-95 to me are south of Daytona and north of the SC/NC state line. I'm not sure what you're solving by going over to I-75. I suppose your cut off at Macon makes a little sense, but I'd assume that 129 is slow as molasses. Fortunately you won't be on it too long.

ellen_griswold

Hi Neopolitan,
The last three years leaving Orlando thru Daytona Beach were a nightmare. Literally, we sat in traffic almost five(5) hours - from Daytona to Jax. And after that, it was 30-35 mph at the most, until just past savannah. (i keep copious notes in my travel journal)

Since you and others thought I 75 was a little less congested, we thought it was worth a try. While possibly more miles, we'll at least be moving.

But if you (or anyone else) have any other ideas or thoughts, PLEASE bring 'em on!

Bubba2

As long as you avoid rush hour, you can usually breeze right through Atlanta on I-75. I've done it lots of times driving between South and North GA.

ellen_griswold

Hey Bubba, thanks. It will be saturday so much less (if any!) rush hour.

Any other ideas, anyone?

rkkwan

I also vote for staying on I-95.

If you want to try I-75, that's okay. But you shouldn't take I-20 back east to Columbia if you're going to Wytheville, VA. You should take I-85 directly to Charlotte, then I-77 north.

Neopolitan

I think Ellen is trying to avoid the Atlanta mess. And I think I-85 from Atlanta to Charlotte has gotten about as heavy with truck traffic as I-95 these days. I wouldn't quibble about that route through Columbia and due north. We've never found that road to be that busy.

rkkwan

Let's do some real numbers.

Orlando to Columbia via I-4/95 is 429 miles.

Orlando to Macon is 361, Macon to 129/I-20 is about 55, and then about 160 miles to Columbia; for total of about 575 miles. A 130-mile detour that includes 55 miles on non-freeway? Say if she averages 70 on the freeway and make that 55 miles on US129 in a hour, that's still 8.5 hours of solid driving to get to Columbia.

For the I-4/95 route, say one averages 75MPH for the 157 miles between Savannah and Columbia, that's just over 2 hours gone. So, can one make the ~280 miles from Orlando to Savannah in 6.5 hours? It only needs average of about 45MPH.

Anyways, to me, the detour is way too long for me to consider it.

Christine65

We have driven 95 many times from NC and from NJ to Cocoa Beach area. Have found the most traffic to be around the DC area and Jacksonville. I don't find the amount of traffic to be the worst part but the semis scare the cr@p out of me!!
Be warned that traffic around Daytona can be really bad if it is a race weekend (Nascar) usually the weekend of July 4th and February 14th (approx. dates--if you want exact dates check Nascar.com)
Also, drove down at Easter time one year and swore we'd never do that again!! Traffic was horrendous!!
We have hand held CB's that we use to listen to the trucks if we get in a back up cuz at least you'll know what the reason for the back up is.
Sorry I don't have alt. routes

ellen_griswold

Christine, we must have been in the same traffic jam as we usually are returning the weekend after Easter. We too, swear we'll never do it again, but then we do...we love seeing Mickey over spring break!

rkkwan ~ we're going with your route ~ I75, I 85, I 77. I've read so many of your posts re road trips and know you're right on target. Thank you for always being so helpful.

Thank you everyone, for your replies and ideas, i really appreciate it. I'll let you know how it goes!

GoTravel

I think some are missing the fact that you are traveling the weekend after Easter which is one of the most horrible times of year to be on I-95.

Ellen, get a current SC map and watch the traffic. I think all interstates will be really crowded and you may do better going through SC/NC on state highways.

Good luck!

ellen_griswold

Hi Go! Thanks for the reply! Would you please elaborate? Are you referring to my original thought, bypassing atlanta on SR 129, to I 20 and I 77? We are open to ALL suggestions!