Driving from NJ to Clearwater, FL (Old Bridge: hotel, home, moving)
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I plan on driving from NJ to Clearwater for a vacation in April. I did make this trip when my kids were younger, twice, but not in many years. Which map do you use, Google, MapQuest etc? When on 95, do you go through DC on 295 or around on the beltway? I plan to stop over in either Fayetteville or Florence, NC. Thanks
I use Google Maps, haven't used MapQuest in about 10 years. It probably depends on what time of day you'll be passing through DC, but I'd guess the Beltway is better. I've been on 295 a few times to go into the city, and it's 2 lanes most of the way with no shoulders. Even when there wasn't much traffic, it was pretty slow moving.
I plan on driving from NJ to Clearwater for a vacation in April. I did make this trip when my kids were younger, twice, but not in many years. Which map do you use, Google, MapQuest etc? When on 95, do you go through DC on 295 or around on the beltway? I plan to stop over in either Fayetteville or Florence, NC. Thanks
We travel back and forth to Florida frequently (actually in Melbourne right now) I always take the beltway and the 295 bypass down in Richmond. We also listen for local traffic on those roads in case there is a problem. Always have an alternate route planned. Some friends were on he way down from NJ earlier in the week when it snowed. They said the roads in Virginia were paralyzed and they hardly had any snow. Years ago I would drive straight through from NJ, now we stop in Florence, S.C. or Manning. Manning is a little further south (about 50 miles) but it makes for an easier second day of travel. On the return trip I try to make it to Rocky Mount, N.C.
Be VERY careful driving on 95 through Virginia. Troopers hand out tickets down there like candy. I got one last spring and a friend got one around Christmas. Maybe go 10 MPH over at most. We cruised through the Carolinas going 90 most of the time.
Whatever you do if you stop in Manning, don't stay at the Ramada - horrible beds, thin walls and the hotel next to it has loud events. We just drove down over Christmas to Sarasota and it was the Worst nights sleep. Be careful - we got rear ended on 95 in North Carolina. The traffic in Virgina and NC was horrid. The way back we just wanted to be home so we drove strait through. We left Sarasota at 445am and got to Old Bridge at 11p.
You will need to plan your trip around rush hour traffic in DC area. One way of doing it is start at 6pm -ish on a weekday from NJ. This way you will hit DC around 8.30pm where the traffic will be OK-ish. Then you can drive till late in the evening and get a room in NC a little after mid night.
I plan on driving from NJ to Clearwater for a vacation in April. I did make this trip when my kids were younger, twice, but not in many years. Which map do you use, Google, MapQuest etc? When on 95, do you go through DC on 295 or around on the beltway? I plan to stop over in either Fayetteville or Florence, NC. Thanks
Depends on the time of day. If you'll be passing by DC in the middle of the day or pretty late at night/early in the morning, take 295. If you'll be passing by DC any time close to either rush hour, take the Beltway. The Beltway might be bad at rush hour, but 295 is worse.
One alternative that's been recommended to me before (but I've never done it) is to take I-895 out of Baltimore to I-97 to MD 3 to US 301 to bypass the DC area entirely. US 301 crosses the Potomac well south of DC and links up with I-95 again near Richmond.
Google Maps makes the interesting suggestion of taking I-78 to I-81 (in PA) to I-77 (in SW VA) to I-26 (in SC) to I-95. That's a bit more roundabout but does avoid all the major cities (only city of note is Charlotte, NC) and potential traffic problems north of Florida itself.
Waze is certainly the companion you want on the road with you. But I've never used it for planning a route beforehand.
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