[tophcfa]

We leave from Western MA and never risk going anywhere near NYC, NJ, Delaware, Baltimore, or Washington DC. Not worth it, drive an extra 100 miles and avoid all potential big city traffic issues. I would much rather drive the hour and a half to knock off the extra 100 miles than risk dealing with hours of high stress stop and go traffic. Plus, you avoid a bunch of tolls. Take 84 west to Scranton and then take 81 south through Pensilvania, a small slice of both Maryland and West Virginia, then once you get into Virginia there are a couple of good options to cut back east to I95 south below the beltway. The first option is to take Rt. 66 (about 12 miles south of Winchester, VA) to Rt. 17 to I 95 south in Fredericksburg, VA. The second option is to continue on 81 south past Roanoke, VA and then take I77 toward Charlotte, NC and then pick up RT. 26 around Columbia to I 95 south about an hours drive north of the Georgia state line. Both ways are almost the exact same distance. Gas is the cheapest in Virginia and South Carolina, so tank up before leaving those states. Have a safe and traffic free drive and a Merry Christmas.