If you have the time take I-77 south to South Carolina where you can catch I-26 to Orangeburg, then get on 301 which will take you through the country. My sister takes Route 23 out of Ohio into Tennessee and catches I-26 and this works for her. It will take longer and watch your speed limits on 301, one minute it will be 45, next 35, etc. Many places to stop for rest and food.

Thanks, I have driven through there at all times of the day and days of the week. You never know when you will be stuck in a miles long backup. Plus the drivers there are completely out of their minds. Going 441 is more relaxing, with better scenery. You can have my spot in Atlanta.

all these suggestions are great, but your best bet is to use Waze it will get you around issues most times, but things like what you are describing just may be faster than other routes also It does a great job. you can also use it to figure out when the best time to leave will be.

What about going route 75? We just returned from Massachusetts and we went around 95 going on route 81 to 64 and came onto 95 south there and the road south was great, just a long drive. We got here yesterday. No stopping at all.

Even if you know your route, using WAZE can be a huge timesaver.

One of our trips north a few months back, there was a closure of 95 North in South Carolina. Waze said "take the next exit". Traffic was moving at full speed at the time.

I took the exit, it ran us through a park, around a couple weird intersections and finally got us parallel to 95. It was parked. People were out, sitting on their hoods.

About 10 minutes of zigging and zagging, we were back on the highway and back to full speed and traffic was lighter, presumably because of all the people not using traffic-aware applications.

Google maps works too, but I prefer waze.

As age creeps up on us and the car, one overnite turned into two, and then the final drive to TV from our home west of Buffalo, NY. Finally decided to leave our trusty vehicle in Florida and fly back North. Wasn't that a wise choice! Two hours and fifteen minutes via SW or Jet Blue, nonstop, on the ground in Buffalo from Orlando, and then getting a ride to our home with our son. Can I go back to driving again, not if I can help it!! Just not an enjoyable trip any longer, as we aged going from aggressive driving to defensive.

Avoid weekends on 95 as the beach visitors transition each weekend during the summer. Weekdays are fine with normal flow.

[QUOTE=paulat585;1982403]Help! Need route suggestions. Just wasted hours sitting in traffic on I-95 going north. Want to avoid the same on my return trip to TV at the end of August. Returning from Akron, Ohio. I-77 south to Columbia, SC looked fine, but I-95 south through South Carolina was a parking lot. Want to avoid this. Thanks![/QUOTE

I avoid interstates whenever possible. Semi's taking all 3 lanes, cars passing on the right cut in front of you by inches at 80 MPH no fun. Pick up scenic 41N in Lake Park Fl and then find 129N 4 lane beautiful drive through GA farmland just a pleasurable drive. Takes you towards Athens just a great drive and really no traffic.

Take 321 South out of Columbia to Hardeeville SC, about 5 miles from the Georgia line. You are correct I-95 in SC is horrible especially on weekends.

I95 traffic
 

Go to the Orlando airport

at the end of route 77 continue strait to route 321 (slower but less miles) will intersect I95 at exit 5 in South Carolina. only have 5 miles of bad traffic till you hit Gorgia.

I'll give 2 more thumbs up for Waze!
It's a lifesaver!
From where you are sitting, it will give you THE best route, and an alternate. (To avoid tolls, etc)

That said, it ALL depends WHEN you travel...
Day and time.
You can look on the app for "best time" to travel.
If you don't have one, get a phone holder...one that mounts on the windshield, so you don't have to take your eyes off the road...and a good car charger.

You probably hit the myrtle beach/outer banks summer vacation rental changeover times. (Weekends)
I try to travel Wednesday...at night....

I drive straight through, from upstate NY..20 hrs...and ALWAYS avoid DC/95. It's a ZOO!
I'd rather go 40 miles out of my way than drive there..
It's crazy at 9pm!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if people used/set their CRUISE CONTROL instead of speeding up/slowing down depending on their conversations/mind wanderings......

Atlanta
 

Just got home from a trip to Blue Ridge, Ga. Went thru Atlanta (I-75) on Saturday both ways. 1 1/2-2 hour traffic jam going north; 1 hour traffic jam going south. Will never travel thru Atlanta again!

We time our trip through ATL early 6am or after 10am and its not bad. Dont take the bypass

We drive thru Atlanta from MI twice a year with no problem. We use the HOV lanes and plan our trip so we go thru Atlanta on a Saturday or Sunday. Easy!