Quick Questions & Answers

[Crunchewy]

I posted this in the ACE thread, but I suppose it really belongs here. If I am driving from Baltimore on a Friday (ugh), what's the best time to be driving through that most awful section of 95 in the country? I want to minimize the damages. This is for the ACE event on June 3rd, but I'd like to drive there on Friday and stay over night, as I'm very much not a morning person and getting out the door in time on Saturday for the event would pretty much be impossible for me. Also bonus points if I can make the Ace Drives event at Go Carts Plus (Friday 5 PM to 9 PM, but don't have to get there at 5) but not essential.

 

[Ice]

Just don't go anywhere near rush hour. I would target getting to the DC area around 10/11 if you can leave in the morning, but if you need to wait until after work hours, you need to be in the DC area no earlier than about 6:30/7:00. That would put you in Williamsburg around 9:30 with reasonable traffic.

Fredericksburg up to Quantico is usually the hellscape, with Tysons to Quantico being iffy depending on time of day. Unfortunately even time of day doesn't really eliminate the Fredericksburg issue, perpetually in a state of gridlock. If you have the money to spend, that 95 express lane really does shave a ton of time off if stuff is backed up to around Dale. It'll get clogged at rejoining, but I've shaved easily 30 minutes of pure rage off, worth the $20 for someone who gets insanely angry at traffic like myself.

 

[outhikn]

@Crunchewy - I hear ya regarding that delightful stretch of I-95. -Where as a side note, that stretch is part of the reason I moved out of the Northern VA area, 10 years back, so that I could be closer to VA's two parks and avoid 95.

But back to your question. If you're traveling from Baltimore to Williamsburg, I would suggest instead Route 301.

So take it past SFA, all the way down to Richmond and I-295. Or if you prefer, cut back over to I-95 at Bowling Green, or Route 30 West to KD.

Personally I have given up on 95, and take 301 for all my trips up to SFA and that part of MD - where though 301 will certainly have some slow spots while in MD, generally winds up being a faster and a more pleasant option than the other.

 

[I64 Trekker]

A couple notes:

• Southbound gets hellish just past Exit 161 (Route 1) - Southbound 95 goes from 4 lanes to 3 lanes at Route 123. Note there is a left hand ramp to the tolls lanes just past the left hand exit to Route 1, so get in the toll lanes there if traffic is moving up until that point.
• Fredericksburg is getting a bit better southbound, since traffic that gets on at Exit 133 (Route 17 N) has to use the local lanes that go through Exit 130, while through traffic can avoid the local traffic that uses 95 to get across the river.
• As for leaving DC at night, you really need to thread the needle, because you want to leave after rush hour, but before overnight roadwork kicks in, which can start anytime between 8 and 10. If you google VDOT, they publish a weekly calendar of closures and times, so take a look at that.
• And if price isn't an issue ($202 one-way Friday 6/2), jump on a Southwest flight from BWI to ORF and avoid the whole mess that is 95 between Fredericksburg and Baltimore.

But back to your question. If you're traveling from Baltimore to Williamsburg, I would suggest instead Route 301.

So take it past SFA, all the way down to Richmond and I-295. Or if you prefer, cut back over to I-95 at Bowling Green, or Route 30 West to KD.

301 is much better crossing the Potomac now that it is two lanes each direction, but don't forget that southbound traffic gets hit with a $6 toll ($4.50 with MD EZ Pass).

 

[Crunchewy]

Thanks all. These are all super helpful answers. I'll either take 301 as described, or I'll accept the tolls and take the 95 express lanes.