Traffic on I-95 S and I-64 E on Saturday in Summer (Chesapeake: live in, beach)

[goodbird]

We live in N. Arlington and we are traveling to NC just S. of Chesapeake, VA on a Saturday. We are trying to figure out when to leave to avoid horrendous traffic. This trip should take about 4.5 hours WITHOUT traffic, and googlemaps recommends 95 South to Richmond and them 64 East to 17 South.

What time does I-95 becomes slightly and super congested. We cannot leave too early (meaning we cannot leave before 7:00 am). If we leave at 8am, would that be OK? I assume traffic will be horrible by 10??

Also, we know nothing about I-64 East (going from Richmond). I assume this get congested with VA Beach travelers, but what time?
As an alternative to 64 East, has anyone taken US 460? Does that back up also?

I know we cannot avoid traffic, we are just trying to make it as painless as possible.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by goodbird

We live in N. Arlington and we are traveling to NC just S. of Chesapeake, VA on a Saturday. We are trying to figure out when to leave to avoid horrendous traffic. This trip should take about 4.5 hours WITHOUT traffic, and googlemaps recommends 95 South to Richmond and them 64 East to 17 South.

What time does I-95 becomes slightly and super congested. We cannot leave too early (meaning we cannot leave before 7:00 am). If we leave at 8am, would that be OK? I assume traffic will be horrible by 10??

Also, we know nothing about I-64 East (going from Richmond). I assume this get congested with VA Beach travelers, but what time?
As an alternative to 64 East, has anyone taken US 460? Does that back up also?

I know we cannot avoid traffic, we are just trying to make it as painless as possible.

I take 95 S to work every Sat and have family in Chesapeake so i should be able to help out.

When I usually leave for work (about 8 am) 95 S isnt bad. One thing you'll defintely want to do is to take the HOV lanes when you get down toward Exits 2 and 1 on 395 S and stay in those lanes as long as you can.

For the trip on I-64, one thing you may want to think about once you get into Hampton on 64 taking I-664 until its end which will put you back onto 64 which will take you to Rt 17. That way you'll miss the really congested Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (I-64) and take the less congested Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel (I-664).

One thing i'll suggest is leaving as early as you can.