Driving on I 95 thru DC area

HI, my daughter and fiance are moving from Florida to Syracuse, NY. They rented a moving truck and are towing his car plus my daughter is driving her car. The AAA route takes them up I-95, then I-295 N to I-83 to I-81. We are concerned about the heavy traffic they may pick up in this area. Especially since they are towing a car. Does anyone familar with the area%26#39;s around DC have any other routes they like, that would avoid heavy traffic and not send them through the mountain? Or do you think going this way will be alright?

Thanks for any insight

Driving on I 95 thru DC area

I%26#39;m with you - I wouldn%26#39;t want my daughter taking that route, but then I%26#39;m not a good traveler in that area anyway. My map is out of date, but until someone smarter and wiser responds, I%26#39;ll give you a couple ideas. I%26#39;d hop off I-95 around Dale City / Dumfries (Route 234) and head towards Centreville and then Leesburg (there are a couple twists and turns - not exactly direct, but these are ';landmark'; cities to look for in building a route). At Leesburg, she%26#39;d be on Rt. 15 heading toward Frederick, MD. After that she could stay on 15 all the way to New York, or buckle back to the east to try to pick up I-81.

Driving on I 95 thru DC area

Yes, I%26#39;d do 81 as soon as they can. It is an interstate and yet very beautiful. There are times when there are lots of trucks but they should fit right in. Since 81 is between mt. ranges there can sometimes be fog. We try to avoid the change in temperature times...early a.m. and later p.m. They should also realize there%26#39;s no shame in stopping if conditions are not optimal...weatherwise, if they are tired or if the truck traffic has picked up toward evening and they don%26#39;t feel comfortable surrounded by big rigs.

Traffic is a given is this part of the state – some times of the day are worse than others, although windows with less traffic are getting shorter and shorter. Northbound rush “hour” seems to begin about 6 am and “end” 9 to 9:30, and that means traffic begins at least 45 minutes south of DC.

They are winding up a major piece of construction at the junction of 95 and 495 (affectionately called the mixing bowl), which actually does make it easier to navigate the area as long as you watch the signs. My husband is on the road a lot and he avoids 295 at all costs – bad road, construction and very sensitive speed cameras. Then you have the Baltimore Beltway (695) to contend with, although it is a piece of cake after the Washington Beltway (495). 83 is a good road – although I think there is a part of it that I always feel is way too narrow.

We have traveled 81, south of Front Royal in Virginia quite a bit and also accessed it north of York, going north through PA and into New York state. I think that is the preferable route, even with the heavy truck traffic – not quite as direct, but surely missing the traffic and congestion in the Baltimore/DC area.

Let me know if you have any questions!

I-81 can be an ugly road too. There is a lot of tractor trailer traffic. I would say depending on the day that they are traveling, and the time they may be just fine coming through the DC area.

For example, if they expect to be in that area on a Sunday morning, I wouldn%26#39;t go out of my way for a detour.

I would NOT go up 15 around Leesburg Virginia. This is a 2 lane road and not very pleasant in a large truck and towing a car.

Thank you all for your great advice. They want to stay on the interstates, and don%26#39;t want alot of mountains. What does everyone think about taking I-95 to I-495 to I-270 and I-70 to I-81.

Or if the roads aren%26#39;t to steep what about I-66 to I-81

Everyone has been so helpful, thanks

Well, if they have to do that route, if they get to 495 and 270 in the middle of the day it just maaaay be not too backed up. Evening rush hour can be 3 to 7 or 8 depending on traffic/events/weather. I did it many years and still do now when we visit family. Nice place except for the traffic:)

If they want a good cut-through to I-66 to get to I-81, then use route 17 around Fredericksburg or route 234 in Prince William County Virginia. Both of these are 4-lane (2 each direction) divided highways with minimal traffic lights.

Around the beltway to 66 west to 81 would be a backtracking disaster.

Again, it is all going to depend on the day of the week and the time. Need to figure that out first.

I would not take I-270 to I-70 to I-81 -- there is at least one big climb west of Frederick that I doubt would be a lot of fun towing a car.

All things considered, I%26#39;d recommend I-95 to US 17 south of D.C., to U.S. 15 west of D.C., to I-66 West, to I-81. It is not the shortest route, but on balance I think would be the least stressful. I-66 goes through a pass where it crosses the Blue Ridge, and there is no notable hill to climb. The same cannot be said of I-81 up towards Syracuse, but those hills are unavoidable if Syracuse is where you want to end up....