Driving from Manchester, NH to FL..What's the best route (Richmond: purchase, calculator)
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I'm driving from Manchester, NH to Winter Haven, FL and wanted to know what's the best route to go to avoid, NYC, Philly & DC traffic. I found a route that added only an hour but wanted to get other people's input since this is my first time driving by myself. I plan on stopping in NC to sleep.
93S to 495 to 90 to 84 to 287 to 78 to 81 to 77 to 26 and then hopping back on 95 in South Carolina. Once I'm back on 95 I know my way.
I like I-81, especially through the Roanoke VA area. Very nice drive and very scenic. Much more so than DC, Baltimore, NYC, and all that nasty traffic.
93S to 495 to 90 to 84 to 287 to 78 to 81 to 77 to 26 and then hopping back on 95 in South Carolina. Once I'm back on 95 I know my way.
Thanks
I just did this route in February, starting in RI, though. Caught 84 in Hartford, drove to Scranton and caught 81S, skipping the 287/78 part of your route. We wanted to skirt NYC/NJ as much as we could. 77 to 26 to 95 was smooth sailing.
Coming back it was funny, as soon as we got off of 95 traffic fell off significantly....
It was a little longer distance wise but about three hours faster due to the lack of congestion. It is also a beautiful drive! Enjoy!
Great route; we just returned from the FL Keys two weeks ago and use that route. We avoid NJ GSP and/NJ Turnpike, Delaware and Maryland because of the high tolls. Avoid DC because of the horrendous traffic congestion. Be aware on FL Turnpike they no longer accept cash, you must use Sun Pass otherwise a $1 toll will cost you $3 (they use license plate billing). You can get a Sun Pass at the grocery stores (Publix) and CVS in FL. Just make sure you get it 8 hours before you use it so it is in effect. You can also purchase online.
I do this drive all the time....you shouldn't go near Philly...it's not on 95 anyway...so if you wind up in philly, you messed up, lol. My best time was when I left at 4 am on a Sunday and flew across the cross bronx, & George Washington Bridge no problem...and DC has no traffic on a Sunday...either does Richmond VA, so don't bother taking the detour that AAA suggests to avoid Richmond. I made it one hour outside of Georgia by 10 pm with that plan. To avoid NYC, you go out toward White Plains and go over the Tappan Zee Bridge...I did that once, but I thought it took to long going around the city...and the Garden State PKY has it's share of traffic too.
You can go on Mapquest or AAA and get the route printed. Also aaafuelcostcalculator.com is great
I do this drive all the time....you shouldn't go near Philly...it's not on 95 anyway...so if you wind up in philly, you messed up, lol. My best time was when I left at 4 am on a Sunday and flew across the cross bronx, & George Washington Bridge no problem...and DC has no traffic on a Sunday...either does Richmond VA, so don't bother taking the detour that AAA suggests to avoid Richmond. I made it one hour outside of Georgia by 10 pm with that plan. To avoid NYC, you go out toward White Plains and go over the Tappan Zee Bridge...I did that once, but I thought it took to long going around the city...and the Garden State PKY has it's share of traffic too.
You can go on Mapquest or AAA and get the route printed. Also aaafuelcostcalculator.com is great
Forgot to mention...I'm taking the ride myself on 4/22...travel safe!
Thanks everyone! Hopefully I never have to do that drive again but if I do that will be the route I take. I left last Tuesday at 3am and hit no traffic throughout the day (not even during rush hour). I stopped in Statesville, NC at 4:30pm to sleep. (FYI in case anybody reads this board the Red Roof Inn in Statesville is clean, safe, allows pets and the room was only $55). Left at 6am and made it to Winter Haven, FL at 3:30pm.
The views in VA were beautiful!
Oh and I only paid $1.85 in tolls on the Mass Pike and I'm completely spacing where the other toll was maybe CT!
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