I95 NY to FL...1st stop northern VA (Richmond, Springfield: amusement parks, hotels)

[ShellieF]

Hello,

We are planning a family vacation, driving I95 from New York City to southern FL. In researching the trip, I'm figuring our first stop for the night will be somewhere in northern VA. A couple of travel website have mentioned Chester.

How is this area? Any hotel recommends? We have young children, so we'd like to find someplace where they can run around for a few minutes, where we can stretch our legs, and we can all have dinner and a good night sleep. Any recommendations where we can do all of this?

Thanks in advance!

[EricD]

I think you mean the 'Chester' which is just outside of Richmond. (Central Virginia) Unless there's a 'Chester' in Northern Virginia that I've never heard of...

In any case, what's your pricerange for your hotel? I could recommend some really nice $200-300 per night places, but if you're budget is $80/night, that's different.

[ShellieF]

Thanks for your reply.

The trip info. website I am working with mentioned Chester as exit 61 off I95 (VA10, Chester Hopewell). It is, indeed, just south of Richmond.

Budget...$ 100 + for hotel/motel for the night. Would like to keep it under $ 200. Really just looking for someplace clean and safe to recharge after first long day on the road.

[Varunner]

I would recommend trying out the new Marriot Courtyard Hotel they just built in Old Town Fredericksburg, Va. The rooms range from 100 to 200 with a $10 parking fee for the night. The area is really safe and you could walk around old town and eat at one of the local restaurants. It would be a perfect pit stop. The hotel is around 10mins off of i95, which maybe a slight inconvience, but if you don't mind that then I'd look into it.

[EricD]

Hah, I was going to recommend the same hotel! It's maybe 10 minutes off the highway though, but it's right in old town Fredericksburg, which should be pretty relaxing for you. (You could go for a little walk around town to stretch your legs)

[jaywallace]

I would recommend the same, you could spend almost all day downtown and have a blast. Really safe and "walkable". Plus, there are a ton of civil war sites around if your into that.

[lchoro]

You could visit Kings Dominion amusement park which is near Richmond. If you prefer to get away from the crowds and the oppressive heat, you could make a detour through the Shenandoah Park, Luray Caverns, and Dinosaur Land.

[jaywallace]

Kings Dominion is a crap shoot. Somedays it's a pretty rough crowd to say the least. I would stick with Bush Gardens or Hershey Park for amusement parks in the general area.

[NeilVA]

Depending on the time of day you start, your first stop should be in the Richmond metro area. Money wise stop at a Days Inn. Cost will be $70-$80 for the night. This leg would be 7-8 hours if you cross the VZ by 9-10am, you will end up here 4-5pm. For safety sake follow the following route:95 -295 - 64w - 288s. Hotels are within 1-4 miles of exit( Midlothian Tpke (60)) . Next morning get back onto 288s and it will get you connected to 95s. Next stop Georgia.

[TheEggman]

Fredericksburg area is a good compromise. Just about halfway between DC and Richmond.

Traffic on I95 South between Springfield and Fredericksburg can be a can be a real bear in the afternoons. You should endeavor to hit 95S, at Springfield VA no later than 2:00pm. If you do, you can take the HOV lanes South which will dump you back out on the Mainline 95S near Quantico, just a few exits from Fredericksburg. You should hit the Fredericksburg area 1 to 1 1/2 hours (Depending on Traffic) after you get on 95 at Springfield.

There are numerous good, but inexpensive places to stay and eat near the intersections of Rt 3 and 95 and Rt. 17 and 95.

If you get back on the road Southbound around 8:45 you should miss the morning Richmond traffic and have a straight shot South from there.

Old Town Fredericksburg is an interesting 'diversion' if you're not too whipped from the road.

Best, Good Luck, and Stay Safe!

Egg