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We go to Lake Norman a lot from Connecticut and we know the directions are 78/81/77 but we are tired of the 350 miles on I-81.For something different I mapped out I-95 to I-85 to 40 west. It's the exact same mileage and time but i think it will feel shorter lol.Has anyone gone this way?I don't think traffic will be a big problem due to when we are leaving(4am)
That's how we've done it. Using I-95 is nice since it's lit for most of the way. You also have the advantage of full-service (gas, food, restroom) rest stops along the way.
from the wife,
We've used both routes to and from NJ/Charlotte. I know what you mean about 81-it feels like you're on it forever. Just make sure you're not on 95 during rush hours in the DC area. I sat in DC rush hour traffic on 95 for 2 hours last summer when I was driving up to visit my brother in Baltimore. I tried my best to get thru before rush hour but it didn't work that way. I thought I would never get there. Other than that it was fine.
Location: Some got six month some got one solid. But me and my buddies all got lifetime here
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The only reason that I-81 feels like it goes on forever is because there's nothing but rolling hills to look at. Personally I think it's a much more convenient and cheaper way...plus you avoid the Beltway, the scourge of the US highway system.
I agree with the other posters who have said that the best things about I-81 are the scenery and the ability to avoid the DC area traffic. I'd much rather look at the beautiful rolling hills than stare at the bumper of the car in front of me. LOL
I've traveled both routes many times to and from NJ. I can't think of a time when I didn't sit in traffic on I-95. It used to just be around D.C., but recently I've hit traffic between Richmond and D.C. and terrible traffic in DE just south of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. The flip side is that if there's an accident on I-81, you're done for because it mostly only 2 lanes each way. We've always found that I-81 was ~ 50 miles longer for our trip, but it took the same amount of time as I-95 due to traffic.
Second the above poster. I used to be strictly 95. For some reason 81 always felt too long for me. Lately I have been hitting traffic in not only DC, but Richmond, Maryland(Baltimore), and just around the DMB... If you can try to hit the Baltimore/DC area around 10am you will do alot better then an hour before or two hours later. Coming from the north the traffic is going to be getting from MD to Baltimore/DC, after that you (hopefully) shouldn't have too much trouble.
A lot has to do with the day too..and luck.
It's worth a shot to try and and see which way you like better.
We did the 95 route from CT when we moved down here, and after that nightmare I vowed I'd NEVER be on 95 anywhere near DC/VA/MD again, unless I'm going TO DC. HOURS of hardly moving, traffic as far as the eye could see. We'd should have been through there and at our hotel (somewhere in VA) by 3 pm, but traffic was bad practically the entire trip. If I ever head back up to CT....maybe next summer...I'll go 81 and appreciate the rolling hills.
You probably need to do the 95 route at least once to appreciate the difference.
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