I have heard that one can drive from the DC area through Gettysburg, PA and then connect to I-78 to get to NYC as to avoid the certain nightmare of the NJ Turnpike this Thanksgiving week.

Has anyone taken this route before?

It looks like it tacks on 40-60 miles but could be worth it to avoid traffic and keep moving.

Leaving Tuesday morning. Returning Sat/Sun.

I always try to avoid 95 at all costs. I normally travel this route from DC to Central NJ:

Take Rt 50 towards Annapolis, cross the bridge and hop onto 301. When you get into Delaware, jog across on 896 to Rt 13 onto Rt 1 which turns to Rt 13 (follow signs for NY/NY/295) which will dump you into the Del Memorial Bridge.

Take 295 to 195 to the Garden State. Most of the traffic on the Garden State will be moving South. Take the Garden State to NYC or wherever you are going.

That seems to be a long way out of the way to avoid hypothetical traffic.

You won't have much problem going up on Tuesday, but coming back on Sunday will be bad. Yes, consider I-78/US15/I-270 back to DC, especially if you live in the NW suburbs of Washington.

I don't think it's worth the trouble taking I-195 and Garden State just to avoid the NJTP. But if you DO decide to take the NJTP on your way back, make sure 100% that you jump off the turnpike (perhaps Exit 4 or 5) and switch over to I-295. The backup for paying toll at Exit 1 can be miles-long.

I think you can also jump off I-78 in Harrisburg and take I-83 south around Baltimore. Of course Baltimore can be busy, but so can 270 and this route keeps you on the interstate and doesn't take you quite as far west.

We drive this route to NJ regularly to avoid the T'pike.

It is 4:30 from Reston VA to Morristown NJ. Traveling Rte 15 to Rte. 81 to Rte. 78 into NJ.

Watch the weather because it snows in the mountains even when not snowing elsewhere.

I am in a similar predicament. Any traffic gurus have any advice for me? I'm leaving New York City tomorrow afternoon (probably around 2:30-3) and I'm headed to Charlottesville, Virginia. Am I setting myself up for disaster if I go straight down 95 to D.C., onto 66 West? I'm guessing I would be there around 5:30-6 (right?). Would it be better to take I-78 to I-81 to I-64 East?
Sorry for the detailed question.. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Fraggle - I would definitely recommend taking I-81. For Charlottesville, you don't add too many miles going the western route.

Thanks rkkwan. I was unsure if I'd hit major problems on 78.. I'm thinking I'd be in Harrisburg, PA around 5-5:30.. is there a rush hour there?

Thanks for the help.

Fraggle - I don't know how bad it may be around Harrisburg, but it shouldn't be too bad. I-81 passes the north side of town, and it really isn't affected too much by rush hour traffic.

It may be different today, but it still beats going through Baltimore/Washington.

The Charlottesville answer is easy, take 81 south to 64 east.Bring a PA map and listen to 580AM in HBG which has decent traffic coverage. 81 is more likely to have a major accident than rush hour problems.83S or 11/15 south both offer southern alternatives.
The DC answer depends on specifics. 81N is a long way around. Check a map for options to Frederick, MD and then north on 11/15 to HBG which offers several routes to 78E.

thanks again!

Whatever route you choose, it will go much better with E-Z-pass.