Martinan

We will be travelling to Williamsburg on Saturday the 22nd. My husband- not a fodorite - insists on going through 95. I am very scared to get stuck in traffic in DC. If we leave NJ at 7-8am, will we encounter the traffic jam in that area? On weekends, is the traffic as bad as rush hour where you sometimes get stuck for hours at a time on the belt? Thanks!

Scarlett

We left NY at noon on a Fri and drove 95 through DC and did not get stuck in a traffic jam..but it is heavy traffic, I think all the time. That early, you might be ok on a weekend..we were never stuck for hours there, that sounds like rush hour when people are going home from work.
Good luck~

Birdie

It shouldn't be too bad but you never know when you'll hit traffic in that area. Calling 511 on your cell can give you warnings of traffic in Virginia. Just follow the menu choices. Have you considered the Cape May Ferry and then coming down 13 to the Ches Bay Bridge/Tunnel? That is how we always travel from Wmsbg to NJ.

NorthwestMale

Considering that you are "leaving New Jersey"... how bad can the prospects be?

Scarlett

snort

Martinan

Thanks everyone! Birdie, never heard of the Cape May Ferry, is there a website or a number I can call to inquire about their schedule? Don't know if DH will approve this but no harm in informing him of this alternative. The 511 number will be a big help. Thanks Scarlett! NorthwestMale you are too funny!

BarryK

If you leave NJ 7-8 AM, you will hit traffic in Phila. You should be fine by the time you get to Wash DC.

BarryK

Oops, just noticed you said Saturday. Never mind... You should be fine.

Budman

We travel from NJ all the time on a Saturday on our way down to Virginia.

Except for an accident, you should have no problems taking the Turnpike into the Del-Memorial Bridge. It tends to back up on the other side at the toll. If you have EZ Pass, get to the extreme Right and follow the trucks, The far right two toll booths seem to always be traffic free.

After the tolls, you will experience some slow downs up to and including the Christiana Mall exit. Then traffic moves. When you approach the Delaware Turnpike Toll, stay to the Left thru the EZ Pass only lanes.

When you approach Baltimore, take the Harbor Tunnel (895) instead of the Ft. McHenry Tunnel (95). It's quicker, and will dump you back into I-95 South of Baltimore.

As you approach DC, recommend you take I-495 which goes off to the Right vs. I-95 which goes off to the Left. They both dump you into I-95 South at the Springfield exit, but you will avoid the construction on the Woodrow-Wilson Bridge. I think that way is quicker.

You should be fine the remainder of I-95 South with a couple of slow downs near Dale City.

GoAway

http://www.i95coalition.org/

This website might also give you some information on what's under construction.

Birdie

Martinan:
www.capemaylewesferry.com
If you haven't ever done it, the trip can be a mini vacation itself. Its not cheap and depending on traffic on 95 can take a little longer but you'll see a part of the country you might not ever see. The ferry ride is very relaxing and the trip down the eastern shore is much more scenic than 95. To cross over to Norfolk you'll go over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel. It costs $10 to cross but it is a design marvel and worth seeing. To give you an idea of time, we count on 4.5-5 hrs from Williamsburg to the Lewes, De ferry terminal. The ferry ride is 70 min. The only hitch to this route is the Hampton Roads Bridge/Tunnel traffic. On a nice Sat evening you might hit returning beach traffic but next week should be too early for that. If you decide on the ferry, I can give you detailed instructions from the ferry to Wmsbg.

Martinan

BarryK, Birdie and GoAway thanks! Budman, WOW! Thanks for all the info. I feel like I just got a cheat sheet for our trip! Can't wait to let the DH read the helpful responses from Fodorites!

Birdie

Sorry, I forgot that the toll for the CBBT went to $12. Still worth it IMHO.
www.cbbt.com