hamsenpai

I'm planning a trip between Harrisonburg, VA and Asbury Park, NJ. Most maps and GPS are telling me I've got the choice between I-95 and I-81. I've heard I-95 is pretty hellish, would it be worth it to take I-81? What would you suggest?

Dukey1

I cannot imagine any GPS giving I-81 as a reasonable alternative route to Asbury Park even though Harrisonburg IS on I-81 but if you really want to use it and all those other Interstate highways to get yourself over to AP, go ahead.

Ackislander

Time your trip to avoid I-495 (Capital Beltway) before 9 AM and after 3, and it will be okay BUT I would also try to do this trip during the week. Fridays and Sundays are often grim.

Rich

81 to Harrisonburg then 76 276 across to Trenton and 195 to Ashbury Park looks like a reasonable way to go . . Looks to be about a 6 hour trip

obxgirl

Go I-81. Given that the time of travel for the two routes is virtually the same, I'd do whatever means staying off of I-95, especially summer weekends and weekday rush hours. The I-95 choice also brings you in proximity to DC's I-495 and I-66, both potential choke points.

hamsenpai

I've been to DC multiple times and driven there at all times of the day, so I know how bad it can be. I-81 would be a better choice then? Is the traffic difference noticeable enough to make the I-81 choice worth it?

Rich

I-81 has been less congested for us . . Traffic on 81 is heavy with lots of trucks, but 95 seems to stop more often and move slower.

We sometimes take 7 at Winchester to 30 to I-70 then I-695 to avoid the DC traffic . . it connects to I-95 north of Baltimore where the traffic seems less hectic