CT to SC minus NYC and metro DC
 

Driving to Sumter, SC from CT Columbus Day weekend. I usually take Merritt to George Washington Bridge to NJ Tnpk to 95. This is a hit or miss traffic wise. So I'm looking for less congestion, namely routes that avoid NYC and metro DC. I have an EZ pass. Leaving Fri night Thanks!

I can't get google to work at the moment but look at taking route 78 to I81 to I77 and on south to Sumter. I have driven this route from NYC to Charlotte and it works very well.

The only way to avoid the George Washington Bridge is to cross the Hudson further north at the Tappen Zee Bridge. That may or may not save you time, but I suspect it would be a straight shot across. I don't know where you're coming from, but you'd take I-95 and then cross over to I-287. It's definitely a detour north but might save some time.

I'm not good with the roads around DC, but it looks as if you want to take US 50 and US 301 to go east of the DC area into Richmond, avoiding both Baltimore and DC.

Honestly, there aren't a lot of great options when you're trying to avoid both NYC and DC, especially on a Friday night, which is about the worst time, even when it's not a long weekend. However ...

If your goal is to avoid those areas and still get to SC: You can take Rte 84 west and stay on it all the way to Scranton, PA. Then take 81 south to 77 south to Sumpter.

I'm not saying I recommend it, but that's the alternative route.

To avoid NYC traffic, go across the (new!!) Tappan Zee Crossing, then follow Interstate 287 as it loops around the Big Apple. When you get to Somerville NJ, follow US Highway 202 southwest towards Flemington and Lambertville -- and fill up your tank as you drive along this highway! Cross into Pennsylvania and head for Doylestown. When you reach Highway 611, go south on that road, which will take you to the Pennsylvania Turnpike -- you'll enter it on Exit 343. Go west on the turnpike towards Harrisburg, and stay on that expressway until you are just past that city. Take Exit 226 (US Highway 11), and follow the signs to go south on I-81. Stay on this interstate past Roanoke, and go south on I-77. This will take you through North Carolina and into Columbia, which is pretty close to Sumter.

Dryly can take I 84 to 81 and then head to South Carolina on which ever road Woodrow for where specifically for where you are going.

Either the PaulRabe or Vincenzo routes will work for you, depending on what part of Connecticut you are leaving from. There are others, none perfect, all better than 95.

The issue for you may be the tropical depression that is supposed to come ashore along the Gulf Coast as a hurricane over the weekend.

Boston weather is suggesting that this might arrive in New England on Monday with tropical storm winds and rains. Between the Gukf and New England is the area you are planning to traverse.

In other words, you should get to Sumter all right, but you may have delays getting back to Connecticut, depending on your schedule.