Hi,
Looking for best route to Ocean City, we are driving from Chicago. Google maps shows 3 routes essentially the same until you are far east. By best route I mean least congestion, traffic etc. Avoid Baltimore area? Go South through Delaware?

Thanks!

Somerset PA is at the 8 hour mark from Chicago. From there avoiding Baltimore take PA 896 off 283 to get to Newark DE then south to Ocean City.
Depending on traffic volume, the trip will take 14 to 14.5 hours total.

A great deal depends on two things (in terms of "beach traffic":

time of year and day of the week. If you are doing it before Memorial Day then fewer worries.

As to time of day at any time of the year, depends on the route; avoiding Baltimore around rush hour would be wise.

"South to Ocean City" from Newark leaves you a couple of options. You could go over to Rte 1 and south or Route 13.

very helpful -thanks to you both

If you wanted to really avoid the Baltimore/DC traffic and take a little longer but more interesting trip, you could head for rt 35 to I-81 south to I-64, spend the night near there, then continue on 64 to Norfolk and take the Bay Bridge north and go up to OC. Longer drive, about 8 hours each day, but much more interesting.

I agree with emalloy about the pleasantness of the drive she describes but I think I should point out that the bridge mentioned is usually called the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/tunnel or CBBT whereas the Bay Bridge usually refers to the one going into Annapolis.

emalloy,
Thank you but where (near what city) do I pick up rt 35?