I 81 VS I 95 on Wed. (Richmond, Winchester: home, law, centers)

[Bigfoot424]

My daughter and son in law leave the coast in NC on Wed. AM at 8AM to drive to upstate NY for a few days. I know, traffic will really suck for them. I'm thinking maybe drive to Richmond on 95 then heading west on 64 to I 81 N. I realize this is a longer route but from what I've seen on 95 from Richmond to NY this may be a better move. Anyone have any experience on 81 for Thanksgiving traffic?

[car54]

I've driven the 220 mile stretch of I-81 between I-77 and I-66 during Thanksgiving week several times and never gotten hung up. Lotta trucks but smooth sailin'.

I still say a bad day on 81 beats a good day on 95!

I-81 is just a far, far more rural highway....with few, if any major population centers near it.

[gina tufano]

I agree - 81 over 95 anyday! We have even opted for Rt 15 over 95 during holidays....

[Aspe4]

Once, several years ago, I took I 81 from DC (I 66) to southern VA for Thanksgiving and there was a traffic jam which I figured added 2 hours to my trip. They may want to consider taking I 64 then taking US 29 North, which is a four lane highway, to I 66. They wouldn't have to drive as far west and US 29 will be a lot quieter than both 81 and 95 since most out-of-staters wouldn't consider taking it. The downside is that because it is not an interstate, the speed limit is a little slower and there are some traffic lights on it in the small towns that they would pass through but most of it is clear highway. I would take 29 regularly back in the old days of driving between home and D.C. I hope they have safe travels.

[michgc]

I don't drive I-81, but I do drive I-95 North, and I would AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS! It is absolutely horrendous the day before Thanksgiving. Normal 4-hour drives turning into 8-hour drives would not be uncommon. I agree with Aspe4 that Route 29 is a nice road. We take that often to visit MIL in North Carolina. Not sure how it compares to I-81. But if I-81 is backed up, it might be a good alternate route.

[Rhett_Butler]

I-95 = Night
I-81 = Day

Not even close.... We travelled I-81 from Winchester, VA to Connecticut a couple of thanksgivings ago and didn't hit meaningful traffic until we actually got into Connecticut....

[arielmina]

hey folks, driving on Wednesday afternoon from Round Hill to CT (just outside NYC)...best route? I NEVER take I-95, always route 15 to Harrisburg and then 83 to 78 to 287 to the Tappan Zee, but can also go up to Scranton and over on 84 west into CT state. Which will be better on Wednesday afternoon?

[Rhett_Butler]

All I can tell you is that I-84 in Connecticut SUCKED the last time we drove there... From Round Hill you may as well cut over to I-81 on route 7 and go up that way....

If 15 is better or faster in any way let me know...

[arielmina]

yeah 84 in CT will suck, but we're only going to Danbury, so the first CT exit where it starts getting bad. Hopefully we can avoid it...

[The Dissenter]

I-81 over I-95 all day every day!!!!!!!!!!