Traffic on 95 North

[JohnWedell]

We will be heading north from Florida to New York on Thursday (3/19). Has anyone traveled on the road lately and if so how are the traffic conditions.

[EA37TS]

Generally speaking traffic on I95 through Virginia is not too bad with the exception of the NOVA area (Fredricksburg to the MD border). Try to time it so you hit Fredricksburg no later than 2:00 PM or after 7:00 PM and you should be alright with moderate traffic. From 6:30 AM until approx 9:00 AM the area is a parking lot so drive it in your dreams.

The area around Richmond can be slow during rush hour and if there is an accident. I recommend I295 to by-pass Petersburg and Richmond.

Happy travels. BTW I live in Central Virginia so I know the traffic in the area quite well.

[michael.g]

During the week you should be fine. As Dave mentioned, try to get to the NOVA area before 2 pm. With all the closures due to Coronavirus, you will probably find that NOVA traffic isn't as bad as usual. This is spring break season, so the weekends will be bad north on I95, but during the week, you should be fine.

I always take the Richmond bypass (I295), no matter white time of day it is. It's a few miles longer, but it is always a quicker travel. Most of the drive is 70 mph, where I95 drops to 55 mph for a good stretch.

Safe travels!

-Michael

[EA37TS]

I forgot to mention the best place for fuel is I95 Exit 104 (Carmel Church). On the east side of the highway you have a Love's and Pilot Flying J. On the west side of the highway you have a Pilot Flying J. Both PFJ's have RV lanes but I find the one on the west side of the highway easier to enter and exit especially if you have a 30 plus foot gasser. The PFJ on the west side also has the better area for RV parking.

Gas at exit 104 is generally 3 to 4 cents per gallon cheaper than anywhere else in the area and as much as 25 to 30 cents cheaper than in the NOVA area.

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

I forgot to mention the best place for fuel is I95 Exit 104 (Carmel Church). On the east side of the highway you have a Love's and Pilot Flying J. On the west side of the highway you have a Pilot Flying J. Both PFJ's have RV lanes but I find the one on the west side of the highway easier to enter and exit especially if you have a 30 plus foot gasser. The PFJ on the west side also has the better area for RV parking.

Gas at exit 104 is generally 3 to 4 cents per gallon cheaper than anywhere else in the area and as much as 25 to 30 cents cheaper than in the NOVA area.

Exit 104 is my planned fuel stop every time I pass that way whether I need fuel or not. I still fill up.

[Jim Davis]

To avoid the traffic near DC get off 95 and use 301 all the way to Delaware. Get off at the Bowling Green exit. There are traffic lights and shopping centers in Waldorf, but it beats the DC and Baltimore beltways.

[campingva]

Where at in New York are you going to? That could make a difference in how to get around the Richmond - Baltimore areas.

[JohnWedell]

Originally Posted by campingva

Where at in New York are you going to? That could make a difference in how to get around the Richmond - Baltimore areas.

The East end of Long Island. We have to go over the George Washington and Throgs Neck Bridges. We made reservations for the trip up we just hope the traffic doesn’t slow us way down.

[Oma/opa]

Hope you have deep pockets to pay the tolls at those two bridges

[JohnWedell]

Originally Posted by Oma/opa

Hope you have deep pockets to pay the tolls at those two bridges

tolls back are about $200.00

[theracqueteer]

Originally Posted by Jim Davis

To avoid the traffic near DC get off 95 and use 301 all the way to Delaware. Get off at the Bowling Green exit. There are traffic lights and shopping centers in Waldorf, but it beats the DC and Baltimore beltways.

If going 301, check the Chesapeake Bay Bridge website as the are doing 24/7 work with daily lane closures. They will state the best times to cross the bridge on a particular day for the least delay.

[Jim Davis]

Even with the Bay Bridge construction it is still generally faster and better than DC and Baltimore beltways. In DC there is nothing that can be said on a family net about the Springfield area and the Baltimore tunnels have propane restrictions.

[RSerendipity]

Leaving tomorrow morning from Florida, heading back to Pa. How have traffic conditions been around No VA & the DC area? Hearing that traffic is greatly reduced per the news but was hoping to get some first hand info/knowledge.


Won't be getting there until Saturday so that should help

Thanks,

[Barbara20112]

Just reading your post on 3/21. We returned to central Florida from Charleston last week-end and the traffic going north was very heavy. At a standstill in some places. But, Bike Week had ended in Daytona Beach/DeLand, so that contributed to the exodus.

[joe w]

Can you use the the cross sound ferry's out of Connecticut or is your rig too large?

[robert9999]

Originally Posted by JohnWedell

tolls back are about $200.00

These tolls should be a tax credit. I payed $140 in tolls 3 years ago coming up from S Jersey into Long Island. I ran into 3 hours of traffic from outer bridge crossing to exit 48 on the LIE & this was on a Sunday. Crappy road surface along the way so you wonder where the toll money gets wasted. I took the Throgs neck bridge upon escape to 87 N on my way up to the Catskills. Never will take the Camper into NYC again.

[SalzerJ]

Originally Posted by Jim Davis

Even with the Bay Bridge construction it is still generally faster and better than DC and Baltimore beltways. In DC there is nothing that can be said on a family net about the Springfield area and the Baltimore tunnels have propane restrictions.

I had heard that the Baltimorre Tunnels now allowed Propane, so long as the tank is shut off? Do you know if this is so?

[Jim Davis]

Below is copied from the MD DOT website. Irregardless the time differences aren't worth chancing it.

Propane, Hazardous Materials and Oversized Vehicle Information:
Vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using both the Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor Tunnels. In addition, vehicles in excess of 13 feet, 6 inches, in height, or 96 inches (8 feet) in width; and all double trailers are prohibited from using the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. For additional information regarding these restrictions, please call 410-537-1374.

[spoon059]

With the coronavirus issues right now, traveling thru the DC area has never been better. Traffic is substantially lighter. I'd still avoid being between Fredericksburg and Baltimore between 3pm and 7pm, but it's much better than normal.

[RSerendipity]

Originally Posted by Barbara20112

Just reading your post on 3/21. We returned to central Florida from Charleston last week-end and the traffic going north was very heavy. At a standstill in some places. But, Bike Week had ended in Daytona Beach/DeLand, so that contributed to the exodus.

Thanks for the update. We left Sebastian Inlet Friday Morning @ 6:30 am. Traffic not bad until Jacksonville, then very Heavy. Again traffic got congested near Savannah, Ga. Solid line of traffic from there to just south of the SC/NC border where we stopped for the night. Large Convoys of every type RV( some convoys of 15 -25 RVs) heading north. I would say on the road 40% of the vehicles were RVs, 40% Trucks, & 10% cars. Believed we saw every type RV ever made, we were able to view almost every make & model.
Left yesterday morning & traffic and vehicles same until DC. Decided to head thru DC @ 3:30 pm. Sailed thru without traffic or congestion. Lived in that area in the 80s & never seen traffic so light. Made it back to Pa, & they let us in.

All states had Rest areas open w/bathroom faculties open, except for Pa. PA Welcome Center entrance ramp was closed off w/Barriers. Some of the Rest Stops in the other states looked like RV Dealer Lots. All truck stops open and Fuel available, but most very crowded