I would do I-95 with a start time that gets me to DC after 9. You could hit a wreck but there is little construction now.

Gas is extremely cheap in VA and I think SC. DE, MD, NC not so much.

SC has closed the gap on gas prices for some reason--at least last week. Same as NC.

We like I-81 (calmer, and it's a pretty drive) but I'll second everyone who said it was trucky. It is, very.

Our getting through D.C. strategy involves leaving around 3 am from Montgomery County, PA. It's not everyone's idea of fun, but we go sailing right through the middle of it around 5-6 am with the road to ourselves, and stop for breakfast somewhere in Virginia when the Cracker Barrels wake up (we're also usually straight through to Orlando with a single driver, so we have an investment in doing as much of it in daylight as possible).

Auto train works for some people (and was the only sane way of getting my Dad to Florida last year) but if you can't sleep on the train...

Friday afternoon -- from lunch onward (rush hour begins early for weekend getaways) -- in the Balto-Wash corridor is not pleasant. I'd say MORE reason to use I-81.

Correct that to say "in Balto-Wash-Richmond corridor". No good way to get Balt-DC without finding congestion and even the I-97--301 get-around to get Balt-to-Richmond clogs up around the intersection with Rte. 5.

There is no time on Friday between 8 am and 9 pm I would agree to be on I-95 there.

In the past year, I have had to make the trip down to Charleston multiple times (8-10). Most of the times I do I-81 and a few times 95.

I start a little further west than you, but pick up I-81 south of Hagerstown. I agree with girlonthego and Gretchen that the trip is more scenic and, yes, there are a lot of trucks. Have been caught a few times in traffic jams, but they seem less aggravating than those in DC.

I find the stretch of 95 through North Carolina and South Carolina (all that flatness)so boring. Don't care for the traffic around DC, which seems to always cause problems.

I generally stop in Blacksburg/Christiansburg or south of Charlotte for the night. Have found the Hampton Inns in this stretch to be reliable.

Eeny meeny miny mo. . .

I'd love to get to the Hyatt Place by Savannah Airport -- if I could manage to do a little over 11 hours of driving down I-95 and not get hung up. Plus it's only 5000 points for a room and I have tons of points. The second day would be a piece of cake then.

In that case, take 77 off of 81 and head to Charlotte - Atlanta - Savannah.

But even though more and more people are suggesting 81, you still are on the 50-50 wavering point. Suggests you really want a reason to stick to 95.

If so, please take a look at the I97 to 301 get-around. Don't be dismayed by some strip-mall congestion through Waldorf - it's worth it for the ease southward and avoiding all of I95. After Fort AP Hill, you will see signs directing you back to I95 via 207. That's an option, although it risks Richmond's rush hour if you time it wrong. You can also say on 301, which gets fairly rural but takes you all the way to Richmonds outer Beltway (I295), which can route you around the city and southward picking I-95 up later.

We have driven to South Florida from Philadelphia for the last six years.
We have even gone during the week (avoiding rush hour). We only ran into bad traffic once.
You also have the option of using the express lanes (there is a toll) through the DC/Richmond areas. We have never found it necessary.
Neopatrick.....I feel the same way you do about the auto train. We always stop and stay in a nice comfortable hotel for either one or two nights.

If he drives 81 he would naturally take I77 south, no?
Is there a Hyatt in Charleston? That would be about your 12 hour drive and not a bad next day to Naples.

"But even though more and more people are suggesting 81, you still are on the 50-50 wavering point. Suggests you really want a reason to stick to 95.'

Hmmm. maybe you're interpreting the responses differently from the way I am. I've actually been wanting more of a reason to take the I-85, but mostly those talking about I-95 have repeatedly said I'm unlikely to be tied up in a lot of traffic -- especially so long as I go through DC after 9 or so in the morning -- which I will. And many people have repeated the heavy trucks issue on I-81. And few if any have given real reasons (other than it being more scenic, which frankly is a minor point to me going 75 mph) to suggest that I will make up the hour to two hours longer driving time on I-81.

cfc, I appreciate all your comments and clearly you are 100% in favor of the I-81 over I-95, but I see MORE people giving me reasons NOT to worry about the traffic on I-95 and giving me no reason to think it will delay me 2 hours or so beyond the time to drive I-81. In fact I really only see one other response that clearly suggest I-81 is better.

By the way, I think you meant "take I-77 off I-81 and head to Charlotte -- COLUMBIA -- Savannah". No way I'd sidetrack to Atlanta! But yes, if I did I-81 I would do the I-77 and then I-26 from Columbia to head to I-95 for the rest of the way.

You're right about Columbia>>Atlanta.

I used to go south along that route pretty frequently, esp. in the summer. Maybe I have a shorter fuse when bad traffic is involved than many, or had worse luck. And maybe I don't mind trucks as much (IF they are not behaving like bullies on 16 wheels). And maybe I like slightly more rural traveling just for the peace. Otherwise, as in all things, timing is everything.

Whichever you opt for, let us know - and have a good trip.

I meant, whichever you opt for, let us know how it goes.

NOW I AM confused. Going south as fast as you want to do, how would I85 help you? ;o)

Yes, Gretchen, perhaps you are confused. Unless it was a mistake, I don't think anyone here has been talking about I-85 at all. That makes no sense. The original question was if taking I-81 despite being a little longer might be a better option than I-95 to avoid lots of major slow downs and traffic jams. It seems that overall more people seem to say not to worry about the traffic jams on I-95, especially if I arrive Washington DC after 9 or so in the morning, which I will.

If you look back you have referred to I85 twice--first time I thought it was just a typo--second I began to wonder. Don't take I 85 unless on your return trip through Atlanta!!

bad next day to Naples.


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NeoPatrick on Jun 3, 16 at 1:46pm


"But even though more and more people are suggesting 81, you still are on the 50-50 wavering point. Suggests you really want a reason to stick to 95.'

Hmmm. maybe you're interpreting the responses differently from the way I am. I've actually been wanting more of a reason to take the I-85,

Oops. Yes sorry. Clearly a typo as I repeated I-81 about 20 times.