I 95 South of DC Is there a better way to go?
 

I travel by car between Fl and NJ primarily on I 95. I have run into very heavy traffic from about 495 (DC) south on I 95 for about 20 or 30 miles. Going in both directions. Any ideas on avoiding this area? Have you had similar problems? I drive this area on the weekends between 10 am and 12 noon. I am thinking that US 1 might be helpful but I have not been on this road. Are there a lot of stoplights and local traffic that would slow you down or can you pretty much go 50 or 60 miles and hour? Thank you.

Take 895 near U of Delaware south to 301 over the bay bridge continue on 301 through fort ap hill to I95 30 miles north of richmond VA. There are stop lights but way better than baltimore and DC traffic.

Yes, we always used to take 301 instead of 95 driving from NY to VA. It's a few more miles but way better than 95. plus there are restaurants and even farm stands along the highway.

Thank you

From the west side of the 495 beltway take Braddock Road West (5 miles?)
turn left / south onto 123 (Ox Road).
Take Ox Road south through Occoquan, VA
Merge back onto 95 South

If beltway has bad traffic approaching the Braddock exit, you gan get west via one of the prior exits (Little River Turnpike, Rt 50 W / Lee Highway, Rt 66 W, etc). All connect to 123 South (alternate names are Chain Bridge Road or Ox Road)

This will bypass all the problems around the Springfield interchange. Fewer trucks & generally faster.

I lived in the DC area for over 30 years. There is ALWAYS heavy traffic on 95 from DC to at least Fredericksburg, VA and NEVER go during rush hour during the week. Use 301 as suggested. Route 1 is basically nothing but stop lights and strip malls the entire distance. Have fun! I don't miss it one bit.

since the construction @ alexandria is pretty much finished, we charge straight thru to the 295 go 'round richmond/petersburg. you might like to read the I95 guide of recommended alternatives - The I-95 Exit Guide | Alternate Routes

DC south
 

I agree this is the worst part of the trip. We can't believe the car pool lanes there require three people and not two. while we are sitting in traffic the car pool lanes look practically empty. Has it every been suggested to make it minimum of two? Is the rte 301 suggestion also part of rte 1? thanks

I use to live about 30 miles north of Baltimore near Cal Ripken Stadium, that's on the rightside of I-95 as you pass Aberdeen southbound.

I would stay on I-95 until after passing the Baltimore Beltway I-695 on the northeast side of Baltimore. About 8 miles later you'll see a split, take I-895 Annapolis and you'll bypass downtown Baltimore and go through the old tunnel. After you come out of the tunnel look for the exit I-97 Annapolis. Take I-97 about 30 miles and you'll see an exit for Rt 3 to US 301. Take that exit and you'll join US 301 and go through Upper Marlboro and cross the Potomac River about 20 miles after Waldorf, MD. Plenty of places to eat or get gas along that stretch between Upper Marlboro and Waldorf.

Stay on US 301 and take the entrance to I-295 the Richmond Bypass, that's about 5 miles east of I-95. You'll be in the perfect position going around Richmond and then join I-95 south of Richmond, VA.

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Going 81 to 15 around DC
 

Friends of ours who snowbirds from Orleans, Mass hates 1-95/495 corridor so avoids it by going near Ashville, NC and getting on 81 paralleling Blue Ridge and believe takes a little of 66 to 15 towards Leesburg. May want to look into this. However, they will be taking Autotrain this winter on our recommendation which means they have to come to Lorton via 1-95/495.

There are 2 major problems with making I95s HOV lanes HOV 2. The number of cars on 95 with a HOV 2 would increase ALOT slowing down traffic and thus reducing the effectiveness/incentive to carpool. Also you just cant look at the flow of traffic for another problem (big problem) would be the backup caused at the exit ramps..such as the pentagon. It now gets backed upped at times with HOV 3...just could not handle HOV2 or could that exit ramped be changed without great expense.

john - does that route to annapolis head to the maryland shore/clog up on anything but a winter weekend with traffic to and from the maryland shore area?

auto train
 

about how much is the auto train for two? does it matter what day of the week you go? thanks

DC bypass
 

I think i will try your route this october. i do take 895 through the tunnel to the parkway then my gps takes me a different way to virginia every time. On your route if it is a weekday is there a rush hour time to avoid? also about how many extra miles is it? thanks. ps: we we head north we try to get to aberdeen the first day of travel.. nice area

from jesey to florida
 

we are from NJ. hate going near baltimore and washington. last few times we have talken the cape may lewes ferry then bay bridge tunnel then onto emporia,va. after that 95 to 10 then 75 and villages. this avoids baltimore washington and can sleep on the ferry for about hour and a half. worth the money to avoid crowds in baltimore washington.

other thing if want to go though baltimore washington we found that going through early on a sunday morning ia less crowded too.

hope this helps.