lascheck13

I'm driving to DC from atlanta either wed or thurs of this week. I'm planning to drive straight through with some rest stops. I'd like easy off rest stops/rest. and would like to avoid traffic during rush hours. Any help would be appreciated.

BigRuss

It's a 650 mile trip all on Interstates 85 and 95. There are plenty of rest stops throughout the interstates. There is no way to tell you to go to X rest stop because there are dozens of exits that have small restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores within 500 meters of the interstate. The exits will be preceded by blue signs indicating what gas stations and restaurants will be available at the next exit. The only cities of note on the route are Charlotte, NC, Greensboro, NC and Richmond, VA. I don't think the latter two will have rush hour traffic so severe that you need to take a loop road and avoid the main interstate (I-85 in Greensboro, I-95 in Richmond). You can easily avoid Charlotte rush hour by planning the trip properly because Charlotte is about 4 hours from Atlanta.

weimarer

I haven't driven north out of Richmond on 95 during weekday PM. This area is the only place i can think of where you might hit bad traffic assuming you leave Atlanta around 8-9 AM. But I'm not entirely sure it is actually that bad going that way-haven't done it during the week. It won't be coming into Richmond from the south.

What you might want to do is look at some of the traffic cameras along 95 in Richmond area tomorrow afternoon around 5-6 and see how it looks. If there is any, it will probably be where 295 comes back onto 95, so taking 295 bypass would probably not help much.

Ackislander

Rush hour in Richmond is brief. Nothing to worry about, but nothing to worry anyway because you are not likely to be there at rush hour.

If you stop to eat and use facilities, this is going to take you what, thirteen hours? You should do pretty well leaving at 8 AM -- Charlotte at lunch, Greensboro early afternoon, and you will arrive in DC too late for rush hour.

I85 is often inadequate for the amount of traffic it carries, and I95 north of Richmond to about Fredericksburg is similar. These are major truck routes, and many of the drivers lay up during the day and come out around 4 or 5 to drive all night. This only matters because it means you may have trouble keeping up with the posted speed limit.

lenox862

Consider the I-81 route which takes you further west but is a much more beautiful and less stressful ride that avoids a great deal of congestion.

starrs

Ouch.
What about taking Amtrak?

starrs

Seriously. For less than 14 hours and $125 you can take the train. Spend those 13.75 hours reading and sleeping and stuff other than driving - and maybe save $$$ depending on the car you are driving.

309pbg

Traffic from Fredericksburg to DC is horrible!! There are HOV (high occupancy lanes) but I believe they will be headed South when you reach them. And VA has now closed all it's rest stops. You will need to pull off on an exit for a break ( if needed) in VA.
Safe travels!
P

Ackislander

The OP should hit Fredericksburg around 8 PM, so the traffic shouldn't be horrendous but you are probably right about the HOV lanes going in the wrong direction then.

starrs

Ride the Silver Crescent...