Avoiding DC on way to FL

[mikeyboyeee 66]

Heading to FL soon (well SC 1s to do some fishing.)

 

Anyone have best route to Avoid DC area?

 

When I google map it, the way it shows me around adds an hour and half to the trip.

 

I will be using my garmin GPS to head down, but I really do not know route or area well enough to avoid DC.

 

Thanks,

[67gtonut 847]

Doesn't everyone just use the beltway around DC?

[remixer 1,645]

I think i used 295 to loop around DC. BUT i think it might just not get you into the city but might still be in city limits. not sure.

 

to be safe.. make a left out of NJ to Nebraska then so south

[maintenanceguy 510]

Yes, the 495 beltway takes you through MD and VA but not DC.   If you have a multi-state CCW, I don't know a good route because MD is is not part of free America either and MD covers a lot of area east and west.

[heaterbob 53]

cape may ferry, bay bridge tunnel. I hate the beltway, been stuck in traffic for 4 hours a couple of times on that nightmare.

[PK90 3,570]

I am in DC right now.  Use 495 west, except during rush hour and you will be fine.

[BillC 0]

I have done this trip many times and like most people say basically just time your trip around missing rush hour and you will blaze right threw. Last time I did 17 hrs straight only stopping food/bathroom and gas.

 

Good luck.

[mmjr 0]

I been driving to the Carolina's to see family for a while now and just avoid 95 altogether. You can go through PA on 78, grab 81, and then hop on 77 which will take you through Charlotte N. Carolina and though Columbia, S. Carolina. Since my family lives away from the coast, this makes sense for me and I'm real close to PA to begin with so for me this is my go to route.

[67gtonut 847]

81 south.

 

Yep.....

 

Also a much nicer ride then Rt95.....

[remixer 1,645]

81.. never used that one before....  Is it a fast highway?

[Scrappy 0]

We take 81 when we go to High Point.  It really is a beautiful route.  Right through the Shenandoah Valley.

[mikeyboyeee 66]

I am headed to pawleys Island SC from Eat Brunswick araq.  Can anyone map me a rpoute? I just dont know any of the areas that well.

 

Thanks.

[Fred2 367]

81.. never used that one before....  Is it a fast highway?

81 moves really well, as it does not hit any BIG cities.

It is also a nice drive if you like being out in the sticks.

As noted, 81 is my route of choice if 95 will put me in Balt or DC around rush hour.

[olderguy 0]

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Kinnelon,+NJ&daddr=40.4283683,-76.510046+to:38.9144579,-78.4952304+to:HHI+SC&hl=en&ll=36.057981,-75.39917&spn=8.318133,16.907959&sll=38.048091,-75.366211&sspn=8.103503,16.907959&geocode=FSSjcQIdiD-R-ymPZtBwFQXDiTFAPUB7C1oYBw%3BFVDjaAIdooxw-ylrvAANtqvIiTGsWbi8Dlcrpg%3BFZnJUQIdAkJS-ykzalZtWaW1iTFMoSKMUZWRfA%3BFfyU6wEdINAv-ymtGdOO3Hn8iDE9KKLreqblLA&t=h&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=7&via=1,2&z=7

 

 

Just did this last week for someone from Kinnelon NJ to hhi school.. Does the same for you.. Kinda

I have found this one faster and much easier.  A relaxing drive compared to 95.

[Dirt diver 0]

Been going south for the last few years and no matter what time I leave nj I get stuck between dc and quantico va. The beltway is never the issue. After dc gives me the issue. Rt 81 adds about 3 hours. This year we are trying to take the beltway north toward silver springs the. Pick up 66 w/a, the to rt 17 to fredericksburg. Never been on rt 17 in va though so I am gambling

[67gtonut 847]

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Kinnelon,+NJ&daddr=40.4283683,-76.510046+to:38.9144579,-78.4952304+to:HHI+SC&hl=en&ll=36.057981,-75.39917&spn=8.318133,16.907959&sll=38.048091,-75.366211&sspn=8.103503,16.907959&geocode=FSSjcQIdiD-R-ymPZtBwFQXDiTFAPUB7C1oYBw%3BFVDjaAIdooxw-ylrvAANtqvIiTGsWbi8Dlcrpg%3BFZnJUQIdAkJS-ykzalZtWaW1iTFMoSKMUZWRfA%3BFfyU6wEdINAv-ymtGdOO3Hn8iDE9KKLreqblLA&t=h&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=7&via=1,2&z=7

 

 

Just did this last week for someone from Kinnelon NJ to hhi school.. Does the same for you.. Kinda

Thats a GREAT ride......

 

The Smokey Mountains are really a hidden treasure on the east coast...... 

[bdhszy1 18]

You don't say what town your leaving from or the town in S.C. you're going to but if you can get to 78 west, then 81 south to 77 south to 26 east will take you into Charleston S.C. I drive to FL at least 3-4 times a year and haven't been on the northern part of 95 in years. The only city you will have trouble with is Charlotte if you hit it at rush hour, Columbia is no problem. Of course an accident or road construction changes everything. Last time I went (May) there was no real construction to speak of. As of today, S.C. has the cheapest gas on the east, so top off there.

[ryan_j 0]

I must try 81 on my next trip to FL. 95 is just too much of a mess.

 

Are there a lot of tolls on 81?

[blksheep 466]

We have gone that way when we go down to Roanoke. Its pretty.

[mikeyboyeee 66]

You don't say what town your leaving from or the town in S.C. you're going to but if you can get to 78 west, then 81 south to 77 south to 26 east will take you into Charleston S.C. I drive to FL at least 3-4 times a year and haven't been on the northern part of 95 in years. The only city you will have trouble with is Charlotte if you hit it at rush hour, Columbia is no problem. Of course an accident or road construction changes everything. Last time I went (May) there was no real construction to speak of. As of today, S.C. has the cheapest gas on the east, so top off there.

Ah but I did

[mikeyboyeee 66]

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Kinnelon,+NJ&daddr=40.4283683,-76.510046+to:38.9144579,-78.4952304+to:HHI+SC&hl=en&ll=36.057981,-75.39917&spn=8.318133,16.907959&sll=38.048091,-75.366211&sspn=8.103503,16.907959&geocode=FSSjcQIdiD-R-ymPZtBwFQXDiTFAPUB7C1oYBw%3BFVDjaAIdooxw-ylrvAANtqvIiTGsWbi8Dlcrpg%3BFZnJUQIdAkJS-ykzalZtWaW1iTFMoSKMUZWRfA%3BFfyU6wEdINAv-ymtGdOO3Hn8iDE9KKLreqblLA&t=h&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=7&via=1,2&z=7

 

 

Just did this last week for someone from Kinnelon NJ to hhi school.. Does the same for you.. Kinda

 

Thanks, that looks to add close to 3 hours to trip.

I found this one only adds and hr and 20 or so and avoids DC. Thoughts?

https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&q=pawleys+island&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x8900310270ac82d3:0xb93d3315efe428d2,Pawleys+Island,+SC&gl=us&ei=FjHUUYbVCbKM0QGKwYDQAQ&ved=0CMMBELYD

 

[SW9racer 262]

If you leave at midnight, you will hit DC around 4am. At this time, just go straight through DC on 95, no beltway loop diversion needed.

[mikelets456 78]

I have done this trip many times and like most people say basically just time your trip around missing rush hour and you will blaze right threw. Last time I did 17 hrs straight only stopping food/bathroom and gas.

 

Good luck.

 

 

Yup, when we lived in the Cherry Hill,NJ area we'd leave at 3AM and would be in NC in less than 5 hrs...Disney in 14 HRS 37 Minutes. We DO NOT stop with the exception of refueling and that's when we'd hit the bathroom. By far is the fastest way if you time it correctly. We've done this trip at lease 40 plus times. I did try the RTE 1 Delaware, Bay Bridge thing and it's way too long because you have to go through many small towns once in NC just to get back to I95.

 

If you're going to the OBX then the Delaware/Bay bridge is the way to go...

[siderman 1,137]

We have driven to coastal NC Many times and 95 is the most direct rt, 81 too far inland to be practical for our destination. My absolute rule is when traveling on a weekday to be past DC, preferably at least by Quantico by 2:00 afterthat its travel at your own peril on 95 anywhere near DC. Weekends in the summer can be crappy anytime with all the vacation travelers but 95 is muchmore civilized south of Fredericksburg which is our halfwaypoint. Going again for 2 wks very soon, yehaaaa!

[bdhszy1 18]

1.  

   I must try 81 on my next trip to FL. 95 is just too much of a mess.

    

   Are there a lot of tolls on 81?

    

   Toll on 78 to get into PA after that no tolls at all.

[ryan_j 0]

 

1.  

    

   Toll on 78 to get into PA after that no tolls at all.

 

 

So no tolls for me then since I will be taking I-84 to I-81. 

[NEAHS 11]

The last 4 times I have headed south I used I-81 to I-77 to I-26, Brings you out to I-95 just west of Charleston SC. Avg. time for me to get to FL border is 14 Hrs. Only toll is getting into PA. on Rt. 22.

[blksheep 466]

We have driven to coastal NC Many times and 95 is the most direct rt, 81 too far inland to be practical for our destination. My absolute rule is when traveling on a weekday to be past DC, preferably at least by Quantico by 2:00 afterthat its travel at your own peril on 95 anywhere near DC. Weekends in the summer can be crappy anytime with all the vacation travelers but 95 is muchmore civilized south of Fredericksburg which is our halfwaypoint. Going again for 2 wks very soon, yehaaaa!

That area can be BRUTAL!