Route 301 During Rush Hour Question (Baltimore, Bowie: radio, roaches, phone)

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by pcity

The bridge-tunnel takes EZ-Pass now too.

Cool! I knew they were a holdover.

I recently encountered a toll bridge in Margate NJ that didn't take EZ Pass. I thought it and the CBBT were the only ones left.

[MDguy99]

Originally Posted by HandsUpThumbsDown

I'm still not sure that average PM slowness on 95 is going to make an extra 45 miles time-effective. It's really a matter of preference.

My personal preference is to drive through Delmarva, HOWEVER I would not get off Rt 1 at exit 97 in Dover for 13, I'd stay on 1 until it reached 113 in Milford and take that instead clear to Pocomoke. Faster, fewer stop lights, no 25 mph Greenwood speed trap. Maybe 5 miles out of the way.

New Church VA (just across the MD line from Pocomoke) is another popular place for a speed trap (limit drops to 40 I think). And watch your speed on the bridge-tunnel (toll $12, cash only) as well.

Perhaps, to some people, time isn't the most important factor. A pleasant drive is more important to me, and, maybe, to the OP as well. And speed traps are everywhere.

I thought you were pushing for 95? My point is - drive through Delmarva. You can nitpick straying from 13. I don't care if the guy deviates a bit, but again, main point- pick driving through Delmarva, not the Baltimore-Washington area. That's all I'm getting at. Didn't expect a back-and-forth over the stupidest little things.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by MDguy99

That's all I'm getting at. Didn't expect a back-and-forth over the stupidest little things.

So sorry, let me refund the price of your admission to this thread.

We don't know whether time (winner, 95) , money (winner, 95), or a peaceful drive (1/113/13) is of the utmost importance to the OP. That's why I laid it all out for the OP to decide.

These are drives I have far too much experience making. I might as well share it.

[MDguy99]

Originally Posted by HandsUpThumbsDown

So sorry, let me refund the price of your admission to this thread.

We don't know whether time (winner, 95) , money (winner, 95), or a peaceful drive (1/113/13) is of the utmost importance to the OP. That's why I laid it all out for the OP to decide.

These are drives I have far too much experience making. I might as well share it.

Lose the attitude.

I've got the experience, too. And the perspective. You were arguing simply to nitpick my opinion.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by MDguy99

Lose the attitude.

I've got the experience, too. And the perspective. You were arguing simply to nitpick my opinion.

Haha, seriously MDGuy? Do you think it's personal?

You said 13 was better. I added that it adds 45 miles. This is not insignificant nitpicking. You said it would be quicker. I disagreed think that is so - another significant piont. I added the part about tolls and Rt 1/113 - significant, for sure.

It's not nitpicking, it's details. Sorry you feel otherwise, but I didn't mean anything by it. I can't remember having a disagreement with you here before so why don't we try to keep it that way.

[MDguy99]

Originally Posted by HandsUpThumbsDown

Haha, seriously MDGuy? Do you think it's personal?

You said 13 was better. I added that it adds 45 miles. This is not insignificant nitpicking. You said it would be quicker. I disagreed think that is so - another significant piont. I added the part about tolls and Rt 1/113 - significant, for sure.

It's not nitpicking, it's details. Sorry you feel otherwise, but I didn't mean anything by it. I can't remember having a disagreement with you here before so why don't we try to keep it that way.

If you say so.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by HandsUpThumbsDown

I'm still not sure that average PM slowness on 95 is going to make an extra 45 miles time-effective. It's really a matter of preference.

It's always a matter of preference. While I was using a bit of hyperbole earlier, you may be seriously underestimating traffic in the DC area. It can, and does, get really bad at times. 45 miles difference isn't very significant on a long trip, IMO. YMMV

[Cruzincat]

If you have an Android phone, use the Google Maps feature and monitor the traffic congestion on the fly. You can use whatever direction that looks best. For example, if you are hitting Bowie at the peak of SB I-95 traffic in VA and it doesn't look that bad in GM, go that way.

When it comes to travelling on unfamiliar roads at night, it is much safer to drive on limited access highways at high speeds, than it is, going slower, on roads with cross streets and traffic lights. Less chance for animals, pedestrians, bicycles, etc. on the limited access highways, and the oncoming headlights are offset further to the left, making visibility better. If traffic is heavy, you can always take a dinner break at that time when everyone else is still heading home for their dinner.

[Ryan73]

Thanks to all for the discussion. To answer some questions: time is more of a factor than scenery and I don't have any time of smart phone (do have an old cb radio though).

Please let me know what you think of my logic here:

I'm leaning towards 95 to Baltimore to 895 to 97 to 301/50 to 301 to near Richmond. I think the worst of Delaware is over by the time I get on Route 1 (I've got ez pass for the Del tolls) and the stretch through northeastern MD on 95 is usually good. I hop on 301 to miss late DC rush and have an alternate option around Waldorf (5 to 488). The main question mark is how bad will taking 895 through Baltimore (from the 95 split to 97) be? I actually live just south of Philly, so could be in Baltimore right in the heart of rush hour. Good or bad idea? Thanks.

Ryan

[Ryan73]

Note: I'm thinking 97 directly to 301/50 would be better at that hour than 97 to 3 to 301/50. What do you all think?