Toronto to Baltimore - Critic my route
 

Hi everyone.

DH and I are cruising out of Baltimore MD on May 12. We plan to drive down on the 11th from Oakville (just west of Toronto). Our hotel is on the west side of Baltimore (near the airport) 15 minutes from port.

Looking at the routes from Buffalo, there are a few choices:

1 - I90W Erie down I79S Grove City to I80E, 322, 22 (Harrisburg)and I83S

2 - I90E to I390S, 15S through Williamsport/Harrisburg and I83S

3 - I90S, 219S (due south of Buffalo)to I80E, 322, 22 (Harrisburg)and I83S

Are you looking for the overall fastest route or are you looking for scenery and a slower drive?

If the former, I would do I-90 to Erie then I-79 and then I-76 (PA TPK) east to Breezewood and I-70 into Baltimore or travel further to the Harrisburg exit and I-83.

Otherwise your others would be fine, esp the one involving route 15

Preference is quick - I usually opt for a more direct scenic route that would take the same time to drive if I go out of my way on an interstate or 400 hwy.

The 219 looks a little too much scenic route I may save it for the drive back when we have more time - I like the 390 option as I get some scenery right around lunchtime - but I don't want to hit the top end of Baltimore during rush hour.

Your option seems best for quick and efficient as it brings me in on the west side of Baltimore (especially since it will likely be @ 5 or 6pm) Have you driven this route? How long would you say it takes (Google map is saying 10 hours but I expect it's quicker for us speeders - I am usually going @ 120km/hr or 75MPH on the interstates

Is there some reason you can't fly? Might cost about the same and you can save a night at a hotel.

Brian - thanks but we will be driving leisurely back through PA (shopping/hershey) on the trip home.

10 hours is nothing to drive - we've done Toronto to Indianpolos in one day and Toronto to Halifax in an overnight - so no biggie at all to Baltimore - just looking for the best route.

Much better than cramming onto a plane - cost of flights from Canada (esp with taxes) are FAR greater than the cost of the gas and hotel

I understand your desire for a leisurely drive.

Don't forget to include depreciation, maintenance, insurance when calculating the true cost of driving. Using AAA's average driving cost per mile of 52 cents/mile, you're looking at a cost of $520 for the 1000 mile trip. Less than plane tickets, but not too much when you throw in a hotel.

Ahhhhh... Halifax, home to my favorite beer...Alexander Keiths....yummy

Entering the Baltimore area via I-70 will put you closer to the airport and your hotel than entering via I-83. Hope that is a bit of helpful info.

PXYca is not going to the airport.

Number 2. It's the shortest, fairly scenic, and easy drive with moderate traffic.

I vote for the second route also. We've driven it from the Balto area up to Niagara falls and had a beautiful trip.

Enjoy!!

Thank you everyone for all the great advice.

Brian - I get your points and I have no issues with planes but we're extending the holiday with a roadtrip over 4-5 days exploring PA - so cost not so big a factor.

Mrsd2fan - those who like it like it a lot!

Edye - my thoughts exactly - plus I'm familiar with the I79 - it's a good quick drive.

bardo - my hotel is by the airport but you are right - no plane rides for us this trip!

Rkkwan - I agree - but I'm liking the look of I-90 to Erie then I-79 and then I-76 (PA TPK) east to Breezewood and I-70 into Baltimore as it brings me to where I want to be vs top of Baltimore at rush hour if I take 83.

I may do a combo of route 2/3 on the way home.

Hey LN

How long did the drive take to Niagara from Baltimore on that route? I'm just trying to get a sense of timing.

Thanks!

So come in on I-70 and leave on I-83, which offers an easy ride to Hershey or Lancaster, PA, which both have decent outlet shopping!

I knew you weren't going to the BWI airport, but that you are staying near it. Don't you love when people have to post their comments w/o thoroughly reading previous posts??

Yeah, I-79/PATP/70 is a good route too. But you have to pay quite a bit of toll, and PATP is not the most pleasant freeway to drive - lots of truck traffic, no center shoulder, lots of curves, etc. And depending on the time I-70 into Baltimore may not be better traffic-wise than I-83/I-695.

Just to chime in (I've driven from Buffalo to DC more times than I care to remember), definitely choose #2 on your way there and a variation on the return. Option #1 is not faster despite driving on mainly highways - it is at least 60 miles in additional driving.

From Buffalo to Baltimore takes 6.5 hours or so going the Harrisburg route. Add on 2 hours to get to Buffalo from Oakville.

I would avoid the 219 at all costs! It is not scenic, IMO. The only stop worth considering is the town of Ellicottville. It is a ski town, 50 mins south of Buffalo. There are some cute shops and a few good restaurants. But, I would much rather stop in Corning, or a finger lakes town.

PXYca- And I like alot...just wish we could get it here in the states..at least when I lived in NY, we could at least go to the border and buy a case at the duty free shop, but now that I'm in Georgia...forget about it

Wow you guys are fabulous - this is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. rkkwan and kcapuani - thanks for tips on the PATP and a good idea on timing.

Here's my new draft itinerary (I love road trips!)

Take route 2 down. Cruise 9 days.
Coming back - spend Sunday afternoon in annapolis and drive Sunday night to Reading, spend 1 day each in Reading/Hershey (M/T) and travel Wed morn to fingerlakes for Wednesday afternoon/night stay. Thursday afternoon head home to Oakville

What do you think?

My DH and I are also discussing a cruise out of Baltimore for Aug 12.

Which route did you take?

I am looking for the fastest highway route (DH hates non highway driving).

I was looking at the way through Breezewood as I know that route well as we travel it yearly to Virginia.

Flying is definitely not an option - 1) I hate everything but the act of flying - airports, luggage etc. 2) it would cost over a $1000 for both of us to fly out of Toronto and it would probably take almost the same amount of time. Much rather the cost of gas than the cost and time of flying...and I have more control! As well, then I can take as much as I want and not have to worry about luggage limits!