Driving from Arlington to Cleveland, OH....leaving at 12:00pm (how much, construction)

[The Dissenter]

Okay, I just booked up a weekend at a festival in Cleveland, OH the first weekend of May. I'm going to leave for Cleveland right from work at VA Square. Google maps says I should expect about 6 hours drivetime in no traffic.

Questions:

1. Do ya'll think I'll be fine leaving at 12pm since I am working a half day at work and not using I-95 at all?

2. What traffic tie ups can I expect if I leave Cleveland on Sunday around 12pm and come back down I-270 to get back to South Arlington? This is more flexible.

3. Has anyone done this trip or equivalent before and can advise me on how much in tolls I can expect?

[ACWhite]

Boy, I would be amazed if it took only six hrs under the best of conditions. Columbus is closer, I think, and it was a good 7 hrs under decent conditions when we last drove there. I would definitely allow more time.

Ok, I should've checked the map, which says Cleveland is closer, but I would still allow at least 7 hrs to be safe. Have fun there!

[Gekkota]

I've driven it several times and it usually takes between 7 1/2 and 8 hours, including a quick lunch and gas/bathroom break.

I think you should be fine leaving around noon. Might be a bit of traffic around the Pittsburgh area, but it should be nothing like the DC traffic.

You can probably expect some traffic on the way back on Sunday, from the people who have gone to New York for the weekend.

Not sure about the tolls since I have used the ez-pass. You'll be on the PA and OH turnpikes for most the trip.

(Just FYI, the 9/11 Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA is off the turnpike, if you are interested. About a 20 minute drive.)

[elias9193]

I ve driven from Stafford to Cleveland in 9 hours in snowy weather, the PA Turnpike is very tricky,
especially with the semi-trucks come roaring by up and down hills. Once you get to Ohio its a breeze
straight flat roads most of the way. If I recall tolls were at least $15 maybe more each way, this was 3 years ago.

[The Dissenter]

Thanks folks. I think I may invest in EZpass to help with the trip.

[reretarff]

Cleveland has very minimal traffic, especially on the weekends. Downtown might be a little more hectic, but it doesn't usually get too bad.

[Carlingtonian]

The real question: Why on earth would you want to go to Cleveland?!

Just kidding---have fun.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

The real question: Why on earth would you want to go to Cleveland?!

Just kidding---have fun.

My favorite rap artist is performing in his hometown at the festival, which I go to every time it is in DC. Once in a lifetime chance.

If I were going to Ohio under normal circumstances (then again I would not go to OH under normal circumstances), Cincinnati would be my preference.

[Yankeesfan]

I've driven to Cleveland several times and usually plan on eight hours, including stops. (The travel plazas in Ohio are much nicer than those in PA, btw).

[r0lf3cbn]

Originally Posted by The Dissenter

2. What traffic tie ups can I expect if I leave Cleveland on Sunday around 12pm and come back down I-270 to get back to South Arlington? This is more flexible.

3. Has anyone done this trip or equivalent before and can advise me on how much in tolls I can expect?

At Breezewood, PA, I-70 doesn't actually connect to I-76 (the PA Turnpike). You have to drive on a local road for a couple of blocks to get from one to the other. I have heard that traffic can get really backed up in Breezewood but I have never experienced it myself, because I've only been through there at very early morning times.

If you don't have an EZPass, you should expect to spend about $16-$21 on tolls in PA and $4.75 in OH (may depend on which Cleveland exit you use). With EZPass it's $11-$15 in PA and $3.25 in OH. The toll roads have fare calculators on their web sites so you can check to see what it costs at the various exits. For some reason, the PA Turnpike tolls are different whether you're going west or east, which is the reason for the ranges I gave above.

I'd also suggest you check the toll roads' web sites for construction project info a couple of days before your trip.