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Figured I'd ask on here since there are lots of transplants here and the NOVA forum doesn't get much traffic.
I'm working Christmas day til 9-10pm, and need to drive to see my family gathering in Cherry Hill, NJ on the 26th, day after Christmas. I figure this is a very heavy travel day? Because I think I remember a few years ago on Dec 26th, the highways north of DC were all clogged, stop and go for miles and miles. Not everyone has off til New Years so figure lots of people trying to get back home on the 26th.
I need to get from Raleigh to Cherry Hill, NJ on the 26th, so I figure I would leave around 8am or even earlier? I want to avoid the congestion north of Fredericksburg, VA, DC and then past DC on either 295 or 95 all the way to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. I usually check Google Maps on the way up on deciding whether to take 295 or 95 north of DC.
Yes, I know a bad day to travel but gotta keep my job these days!
If you leave at 8am, you will be in traffic from just north of Richmond all the way to Cherry Hill.
I left Saturday at 6am from Durham, was clear up to Baltimore, but from there up was terrible (the rain didn’t help.). It was building on 95 in Virginia, if I had left two hours later, it would have taken me at least an hour more (going to central NJ.)
Check 103.5FM on your radio for WTOP to figure out the best route thru DC. Traffic reports on the eights.
leave at midnight or 1 am. you do not want to drive anywhere in Bos-Wash corridor during the day and during holidays! especially with potential winter weather.
If you can swing it, leave tonight (Christmas) and get up to Virginia. Then get on the road early. It will be very wise to get through the DC area by 9AM. With a big head start that should be possible.
Alternatively (or in combination with a head start) go up through Virginia Beach and the Delmarva peninsula. I use that way when I can't bear the thought of I95 at the holidays. Also, weather on that route will likely be better.
Traffic looks heavy today. I hope the OP had a good trip.
We lucked out last Friday afternoon and evening. With the exception of a long delay north of Richmond due to a bad wreck and a brief slow down near Fredericksburg, we had a very smooth trip. Not a single slow down in any of the cities. I was dumbstruck. So, you never know.
Heading southbound tomorrow morning. I'm hoping most people that had to go back to work this week left yesterday or today, and those off until New Year's haven't left yet. Fingers crossed.
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