Avoiding Wash DC traffic?
 

I'll be traveling from NJ to Williamsburg VA, is there any route that I can take to avoid the traffic around Washington DC?

thanks,

Not really. You can try to avoid Rush Hour 7 - 10ish and 4 to 7ish, but you will likely find traffic anytime, day or night.

Some people will suggest taking I-97 from Baltimore south, and connecting to US301, which skirts around DC on the east side. I've tried that route, and it's really not that fast, as part of the route is now suburbs of DC, and there are plenty of traffic lights.

I'd say if you know the Beltway and I-95 will be jam-packed, then 301 may still be a good alternative. But if I-95 is moving reasonably well, then just take that.

I travel frequently to DC from central Jersey. If you leave at 6am, you'll hit a little traffic just North of Baltimore before it merges into I-695. Take the Harbor Tunnel (I-895) vice the Ft McHenry Tunnel (I-95) and then onto the Balto-Wash Parkway (295). It's about 4 miles after the tunnel toll.

From there you have 2 choices -- right before Washington, jump back on I95/495 toward Richmond, or continue on to Washington and taking the 295 split to the left right before it goes into DC, RT 50. I-295 will take directly to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (connects with 495/95) onto Springfield where you would pick up I-395/95 South. Most of the traffic will be heading North into Washington.

At that time of the morning you should have minimal traffic problems. From Springfield, it's only about 3 more hours to Williamsburg. You should arrive around Noon. ((b))

Once you hit Baltimore, take their beltway, Route 695, towards the Key Bridge. After passing over the Key, look for Route 97 South to Annapolis. Near Annapolis, take Route 50 West towards Bowie. At Bowie, take Route 301 South towards the Potomac River and the Harry Nice Bridge into Virginia. Continue on Route 301 South towards Richmond. Near Richmond you'll see signs pointing the way towards Williamsburg- I believe you take Route 64 East.

US 301 is a nice route but when your south on I-97 from Baltimore, you could take the Route 3 (crofton/richmond exit) which turns into US 301 when it reaches US 50 instead of taking I-97 all the way down to Annapolis. Also, after you cross the NICE bridge into VA, travel south to Port Royal which is where US 17 intersects with US 301. US 17 will take you to Yorktown/Williamsburg.

Now this is an alternate way, perhaps 30 min longer than taking I-95 but it can be scenic, less traffic. What time are you driving down? I would base my decision on which route to take on that. Most of the traffic and lights on 301 will be in the Bowie & Waldorf areas and it's min traffic at that.

i'VE driven down getting on US 301 right after crossing Delaware Memorial Bridge. Slower traffic, more scenic, not many lights after leaving Wilmington area. I stay on 301 sometimes coming down US 17, and other times returning to I-95 (or is it I-295?) north of Richmond.

YES. Drive Route 13 through Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland and avoid the highways entirely. Take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Causeway to Hampton Roads and continue to Williamsburg.

It is a little slower but it is rural, serene, and scenic.

A little slower is an understatement. You are adding at least an hour to your trip.

I think sometimes we get to caught up on "avoiding traffic." Yes, traffic is worse around big cities and the Beltway can be very backed up, but in most situations a well-time trip isn't going to be bad and will save you significant amounts of time over tramping across the Eastern Shore.

Thanks for the great tips and sage advice. I will certainly take it all into consideration and I'll keep listening for more thoughts and directions.

regards,

I wish I had an answer to your question. I finally moved to avoid it!!

The above suggestions are good ones.
All I can add is this: go through at 5 am.
Or perhaps 4 am.

If you're driving to Williamsburg you'd probably do much better to take Route 301 and bypass DC. You can then get onto Rt 17 just south of the Harry Nice bridge (crosses the Potomac river) and then head down to Williamsburg.

There is so much construction on the beltway around washington dC you could sit for a good bit of time. We were sitting today by the infamous Woodrow Wilson bridge (which is being rebuilt) and then we sat again over near Springfirld VA and the truly famous Mixing Bowl.

Whenever I'm headed to Richmond, Outer Banks, Williamsburg or further south I use 301 - the traffic moves a little slower but it doesn't STOP.

I like the idea of moving : )

So for an alternate route is this correct?
Baltimore- 97-3-301-17-64?

Are 301 and 17, 2-lane highways with lights?

thanks again,

Hi again

Yes, that would be the route and 301 is four lanes throughout much of southern Maryland and probably down to Rt 17 in Virginia. There are traffic lights though in Crofton and Waldorf so if you could plan on coming through the area in NON-rush hour you'd help yourself even more. The main roads I-95 through washington rush hour are totally standstill.

Have a good trip and enjoy williamsburg.

If you are caught in gridlock on the DC beltway or on that gaddawful stretch of I95 south of DC to Fredericksburg, the 301 route will not only NOT be "an hour longer" (which I dispute) but maybe a couple of hours shorter and a LOT less harrassing.

I-95 between Balt. and DC may or may not be bad; the beltway can be ugly; but far and away the worst can be the Potomac Crossing at Alexandria ("Wilson Bridge) and I-95 to Springfield and south from there. I'll do ANYTHING to avoid that -- and worst times are any summer Fri. afternoon or Sat. morning.

As for returning, stay absolutely away from I-95 north of Richmond on a Sunday.

Please avoid US 13, its very scenic but it adds 1-2 hours on your trip. Very slow speeds, LOTS of police (they got nothing else to do), & lots of red traffic lights. Yes, US 301/17 is 4 lane highway the whole way. I saw on the news this weekend that they plan on shutting down the beltway in springfield area to do some work on the new overpasses. I'm not sure when or what side.

Hi again

I think the three of us (Cassandra, Bluestructure, and myself) have driven the Washington beltway I-95 long enough to have given you some good advice and with the way traffic has been lately I hope you'll have a good, safe trip to Williamsburg.

Bluestructure do you have a sister Laura?

Yes! thank you for all your help. My son was accepted into William and Mary, so we will probably be making the journey many times over the next couple years.

Best regards to everyone, and thank you for taking the time to share your experiences.

Naw, no sister named Laura. I have no family at all in Maryland, they all in Florida.

Doing some research for a quick trip to the virginia beach area and would like to avoid dc traffic.

A friend gave me this route...

from I 70 (frederick area) pick up US 522 to 17...?

Thoughts? This will be a saturday trip. Thanks.

I'm not familiar with Rt 522 but I believe that Rt 15 goes from Frederick and crosses into Virginia and then connects with Rt 17 closer to Fredericksburg. Could this be what you're looking for?

From Federick, you won't be taking 522. But if you're coming from I-68 or I-70 from further west, then US522 should be a good route. It joins 37 and then I-81 in Winchester. Take I-66 East and then US17 towards I-95.

Ellen,
where are you coming from? 522 is near Hancock and I-70. If you are in that area, take 522 south to I-81 to I-66 East and pick up rte 17 in Marshall which goes through Fredericksburg.

Rte 15 from Frederick goes through Leesburg, VA and joins rte 29/211 about ten miles north of Warrenton. You would go south on 15/29/211 to Warrenton and pick up 17 just before the town limits and continue on 17 through Fredericksburg.

I agree with the Rt 301 to 17 plan. There may be a few stop lights along the way, but I'd rather be moving than sitting on the interstate without moving. Plus you have places you can stop easily for a snack or break. On the part of 17 you will travel you will face almost no traffic.

To get to Williamsburg, continue on Rt 17 through Gloucester, cross the Coleman Bridge, and turn right onto the Colonial Parkway. This will take you to Williamsburg with some very pleasant scenery. There is an exit off of the Parkway that is close to W&M (North Henry Street, I think).

What is a route to take from Atlanta to Baltimore, which would avoid Washington, D.C. traffic? My father-in-law is trying to get me to drive through Frederick!!??? That seems a bit extreme.

Thanks.
Vicki

Hi McTravel, If this is dupe info, sorry. We almost always "bail" from 97 at 301 (which merges with 50) and come across the Bay Bridge to 301. Yes, there are more lights. However, on the DC beltway, the Wilson Bridge is being re-built so traffic there will be a bear. Listen to 1050 am radio (Baltimore area) and 1500 am (DC area) for traffic info. If 95 is ok, I agree with rkkwan to take it BUT, go toward the American Legion Bridge when you get to the DC beltway and pick up 95 from that side. Good luck and congrats to your son and you for doing a good parenting job!

Vicki,
Your father isn't that far off.
Per freetrip.com, using I-85/I-95 is 681 miles, 10:10 hours. Using I-85/I-77/I-81/I-70, which he probably had in mind since you mentioned Frederick, is 692 miles, 10:45. Coming the latter avoids D.C. and is more scenic.

although i still use the 301/17 route to the northern neck of va. 301 from Waldorf to La Plata can be a nightmare if you hit it during almost any part of mid day.

301 has every store for miles around. it has a HUGH amount of lights. except for that one stretch the ride is a good one.

17 takes you right into the colonial highway yorktown to williamsburg

Sorry, I meant "bail" from 95 not 97! And justme22 is correct about LaPlata area. Serious, listen to traffic reports, get a great map and have some "bail out" plans! Please report back.

Vikki - your father in law is 100% on the money

Thank you all very much for your very helpful replies. I'm just now seeing them as i haven't been on line much lately.

This is for a business trip next month, where i'd rather much rahter drive than fly.

Hey ronkala, weren't you the one going to Glacier again; did i miss your trip report? Or am i thinking of someone else..?

Hi Ellen,
Yes that was me who was going to Glacier and the Canadian Rockies. We got back to Virginia three weeks ago, but I haven't posted anything about it yet. I'll try to do a condensed version about it this weekend. Thanks for asking.