mc71

I am driving down to Virginia Beach from Montreal, canada in early september and would appreciate some feedback on the best route to take. Is I 95 a better choice than route 13?

Thanks

dfr1966

I drove down to Virginia Beach last year from New Jersey and took 13. While it is the straightest route, there are a lot of traffic lights which slowed down our trip. But, taking 13 allows you to go over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which is an awesome sight. If speed is what you're looking for, 95 to 64 is your best bet (but beware there could be construction traffic on 95 through Virginia).

reneeinva

If you do the 95 to 64 route, you are also going to hit a lot of traffic on 64 between Williamsburg and Virginia Beach depending on what day/time you are approaching.

Rush hours and weekends are normally pretty bad.

Budman

You're going to hit a lot of traffic around the Washington, DC area and south of Washington at the Springfield construction area if you take RT 95. I would avoid it and take RT 13 right after you go over the Del Memorial Bridge. There is a toll road portion that takes you around Dover to avoid all that mess (RT 1). You'll see the signs. I think it was a couple of dollars, but well worth it. Once you pass Dover and get onto RT 13, take RT 113. You'll miss a lot of the stop & go traffic on RT 13.

Take a look at a map and you will see. It's the best way. I learned it from a friend who commutes from NJ to Va Beach on weekends.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

I suggest you travel soutn on I-87, but take I-287 at NYS Thruway exit 15, which while a bit longer in distance, loops west of the busiest parts of NJ that most people travel via Garden State Parkway. I-287 joins the NJ Turnpike near Perth/Amboy.

After you cross the Delaware Memorial bridge, the choice is yours ... I prefer Rt 13 (and the detour around Dover mentioned above), a liitle slower, but less stressful than the construction and traffic on I-95. The DelMarVa peninsula offers a lot of interesting touring in its own right. If you cross the Bay on Rt 13, be sure to stop at the stop at the southern end of the second tunnel. You might see large ships pass over the tunnel. You could fish, or have a meal (not a very good restaurant, really), or just enjoy the sun & wind for awhile.

Budman

Another interesting and less stressful ways you might want to consider -- Take the Garden State Parkway all the way to Cape May and take the Cape May-Lewes ferry. The ferry ride is about 75 minutes and provides a break to stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat. Once you get off at Lewes, it's about 4 hours or so to VaBeach. Here's the site to get time tables, etc.

http://www.capemaylewesferry.com/

Have a great trip.

hoosier_native

Hubby and I live in the Hampton Roads area and we always take 64 to 95 and vice versa when visiting D.C. or when traveling to the Midwest. We always vow never to do it again. ;-) Even though it's aggravating, we do what's familiar. Traffic can be horrendous especially on the weekends and anytime after 3:00 p.m. through the week.

I've heard from several people that Route 13 is a good idea. Lots of lights, granted, but if a leisurely pace doesn't bother you, it's a option.

oleg

How long does it take to drive from Lewes ferry to Chincoteague island?
Thanks.

Budman

It's a little over 2 hours. Plug the cities into mapquest for directions.

Gekko

Definitely take 13 instead of I-95. I drive both routes on occasion and can personally attest to the benefits of 13.

Enjoy!

cheapbutnice

Add my vote for Rte. 13. It goes through a beautiful part of the country and avoids the parts of 95 that will never be able to handle the traffic.All of the advice you received was perfect but for future reference avoid Nascar race days around Dover, DE.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

I drove my bicycle right down the coast (Rt 1?, 7?)thru Dewey, Fenwick, Ocean City MD. If you're looking to see ponies, many can be seen at/near Assateague Park (both state & fed) not far from OC. Then I traveled inland a bit and drove down not Rt 13, but _113_ , then outside Snow Hill MD went down Rt 12 to Chincoteague. A nice drive thru some quiet towns, and only problem, as a bicyclist, was being passed by many RV's & cars/trucks hauling trailers with those passenger-side mirrors that stick out pretty far. Snow Hill MD was a nice town, I recall.

allisonm

We go down every summer and always take NYS Thruway to Garden State Parkway to 95. Once across the Del Mem Bridge, it can be a nightmare to get to the exit for 1, but once through there, it's a pretty good ride since they have finally (I think!) completed the road. We stay on 13 all the way down from Dover. While all the lights are annoying (and there are many more of them in the last 10 years!!) it is still a much easier trip than dealing with the horrible traffic on 95 and 64. (Did anyone see us this summer, our 4Runner and trailer hitched to a tow truck on NJTpke? What a trip!)

Budman, where are you from? (Should I see "where are you from" topic on the European fourm!?)

Budman

allisonm, once you cross the DelMem Bridge, the best way is to cut off immediately to 13 South (it's the 2nd cut off from 295), which runs into Rt 1 (the toll road). If you continue down 295 to pick up Rt 1 (about exit 4), there are some real bottlenecks there.

Once past Dover, cut off to 113 which will cut off all those stop lights on Rt. 13. Rt. 113 merges back on to Rt 13 at Pocomoke City.

I'm from the Jersey Shore, and you?

allisonm

Budman,

We came home by leaving 1 and cutting across 13 to reach the bridge because traffic was so bottlenecked. We took 113 by mistake one year on the way down, but cut back across to 13 because we weren't comfortable on the road we didn't know. It always takes too long, no matter which way we go!

We are just south of Albany.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

My last post was directed to "oleg", who wanted to know about driving from Lewes ferry to Chincoteague island. I assumed they were arriving by Cape May Ferry- possibly looking for some "local flavor". Coming from NYS (I am near Schenectady) I still tend to favor 113 over 13.

If you have extra time to kill, a visit to Tangier Island (in the Chesapeake) is great, and if you like crabs, then Crisfeld MD, not far from Pocomoke City, is especially suggested.

atradeus

I drove from Chesapeake (city next to Virginia Beach) to Montréal using I64 to I95, then I87 in 15 hours. (only stopping at dépanneurs.)

The only thing about I-95 is planning your departing time to miss the rush hours in NYC, Philly, Baltimore, and D.C.

I got caught in New York city rush hour, but it wasn't too bad. Also be prepared to pay the tolls in NY, PA, and MD. I think it was like $15 U.S one way. No tolls (except if you use route 13, there is a $10 toll one way to go over the Bay Bridge tunnel).

atradeus

Woops, no tolls in Virginia I might add, except for the Bay Bridge Tunnel fee...