Driving south on NJ Turnpike (I95) towards Richmond, VA. Is this correct - I follow I95 thru Delaware and then follow signs to Rte 495 which then will reconnect with I95 south of DC?

Have not done this drive in 2 years - know I will hit traffic anytime and to avoid rush hour. Do not want to go the route that goes towards Baltimore and then back to I95.

Would be especially helpful if you could give info on road names, signs as want to be able to give directions to 20 year old who will be making trip in another car at the same time - want to avoid having him visually follow us and just meet up at reserved hotel in Fredericksburg, VA (right off I95). Thanks.

The beltway around Washington, DC is called Rt 495. The Eastern portion of the loop is a combination I-495/95.

Mapquest.com will take you the opposite way -- the Western loop, Rt 495 towards Silver Spring. That's the way I would go. It's a little bit shorter.

Loop roads...those that branch off from a freeway and rejoin it on the other side of town, start with an even number: 405, 235, etc. Roads that start with an odd number branch off from the freeway and go into town...they do not rejoin the freeway.

This rule tells you that 495 is a loop off of I-95 and rejoins it.

Just to clarify, the NJ Turnpike to the Del Mem Bridge. You'll be on Rt 295 for a short distance outside of Wilmington, DE, and will then turn into Rt 95 South toward Baltimore. Take Rt 95 (Ft McHenry Tunnel) towards Washington, DC. Just outside of Washington, you will pick up the Washington Beltway (Rt 495).

A slight shorter alternative would be, just North of Baltimore, take the Harbor Tunnel (Rt 895) which will dump you back into Rt 95 South of Baltimore. It's a shorter route, and the one my Garmin takes me.

Depending upon where you are coming from in NJ, 4 1/2 to 5 hours should do it to Fredericksburg.

The Beltway is dual marked on the eastern section from the points where it connects with I-95. The Beltway is actually I-495, but when you approach from either direction, the portion that goes east of the city will be marked "I-95/I-495." Follow those markings, otherwise, you will take the western loop toward Rockville and will go out of your way.

Thanks all - the names/roads you mention all sound familiar now. I remember the first time I took the trip I had no idea what to do other than I wanted I95 south of DC - so I just followed I95 signs and somehow it worked.

As far as timing, coming from Boston - Fredericksburg is first night stop en route to Savannah. Always a challenge to avoid rush hours in 3 areas along northeast corridor.

I may look at a map and try the Baltimore/895 - or may stick with semi-familiar.

One other thing you might encounter is "Inner Loop" and "Outer Loop".

Inner loop would be driving the beltway in a clockwise direction ... looking at the lanes you'd me in from above the earth, you'd notice you are on the INSIDE half of the large loop. Just the opposite for OUTER - you'd be driving counter-clockwise.

(a schoolteacher friend of mine says that with digital clocks, cw and ccw is irrelevant to kids today)

Are directions of Inner Loop and Outer Loop opposite if one is south of the equator?