Driving from Hartford to Raleigh (best route/best laid plans!) (Harrisburg: construction, vs)

[dj07551]

Hi Everyone:

My family and I will be driving from North/Central CT to Raleigh on either 4/5 or 4/6. If its 4/6 we can't leave until 11am. We can leave as early as 5am on 4/6.

I have not done this drive yet and I am concerned about the congestion zones of NYC and DC.

Has anyone performed this drive and could offer some tips/ideas? Like by-passes of those aforementioned congestion zones? best time to drive?

How long does the drive take to complete?

We are a family of 4 (two kids ages 7/4) so we would need to make pit-stops every two-hours while stopping at some pt for an overnight? Straight through is a non-starter.

we would like to focus more on expediency vs scenic/enjoyment.

thank you!
DJ

[Bryan63]

Best bet is going to be either 91 to 95, or 84 to 95, really depends on traffic. I would just toss on Google Maps so it can re-route you around any NYC & DC traffic, but 95 is going to be your best bet in most cases.

[m378]

If you did it overnight, I'd say 10 hours. During the day, 11-12 minimum.

Time-wise I don't think you'll find a faster route than 95 the whole way.

You could detour around NY, Philly, Baltimore using 78/81 or whatever it is, but it will add time.

You could go way out of the way and go 81 to avoid all the cities and traffic. Much more scenic, but more time.

[poppydog]

I'd take I-81 if you want to avoid NYC and DC.

Something like this:
https://goo.gl/maps/Et34CWbn5pk Google maps says 11:33 right now

or this:
https://goo.gl/maps/DQq5SJ61QaB2 Google maps says 11:19 right now

Going straight through on I-95 Google Maps says 10:59 min right now. I'll take the extra 20-30 min over I-95 any day!

[davwve]

Drove from Hartford to OuterBanks this summer with the family. Left Thurs night after rush hour and went 84 - 684 - 95. Traffic thru NYC was minimal and DC was nonexistent due to the time.

[GVoR]

A couple of ideas, not sure any will work for you. I have two kids (4 and just about 3) and we drive from Raleigh to SW MA at least twice a year.

I do the overnight straight through (leave Raleigh/MA at 8-9PM, arrive next morning at 7-8 AM), letting the kids/wife sleep. I have done it in as little as 10 hours and as much as 19; drove back alone from MA to NC the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year.....got to NYC no problem and 99% of NJ was fine too. The last toll booth in NJ was all jacked up as they were working on the Delaware bridge. Basically from the end of the Jersey Turnpike through DC was one giant traffic jam. Realizing that isn't doable for you.

1. Take 287 over the TappenZee (or whatever the name of the new bridge is). You can stay on 287 around NYC and jump on the Jersey Turnpike around Edison NJ which allows you to skip NYC proper and the GW Bridge Toll (15-20 bucks last time I went over).

2. Time your travel around rush hour in DC. From Hartford DC is about 6.5 hours. Either hit DC around 2-3PM or wait long enough to hit it around 7-8PM.

3. If you can, I would rest after you get past DC. DC is a little more than halfway (I think B'More is technically halfway). But the traffic south of DC (more specifically Fredricksburg) is way less than North of it.

4. I would not recommend driving I-85 between Petersburg and Raleigh at night. Between the lack of lights, the poor sight lines with the trees along the highway, the remoteness and the construction/single lane travel from the VA-NC border to Raleigh, it really isn't all that fun.

5. If you are willing, there is a "Western Pass" that completely eliminates the NYC - DC stretch.
From Hartford you would go:
1. 91 to 95 to 287 (cross over TappenZee)
2. Get on I-78 W and stay on 78 til Harrisburg
3. Take state Route 15 south around Gettysburg
4. Stay on 15 through Frederick MD and remain on 15 until Opal MD (GPS would probably have you jump off 15 at I-270 in Frederick, but doing so puts you back on 495/395/95 NW of DC))
5. Jump on 17 in Opal MD.
6. 17 Dumps you on 95 S in Fredericksburg, which has added 100 Miles to your trip, but you missed Entirely NYC, NJ, B'More and DC and time wise, is basically identical (assuming normal traffic on 95 S).

The things to keep in mind with the Western Pass.
1. NE PA is pretty sketchy - gas stations with porn shops and trucker bars.
2. More Semi-Trucks on this route but way less traffic.
3. Snow is more an issue going this way, so check the weather.

EDIT TO ADD - The Western Pass I use. You can also do the I-81 version; but I chose not to simply because it puts you that much further West.
https://goo.gl/maps/UeKwygcCqDS2

[wizard-xyzzy]

Southbound 95 out of DC is a nightmare weekdays (except federal holidays) between 4 and 6:30 pm. It sounds like you'll qualify for the HOV lanes, but even the HOV lanes get congested (especially where they end). Also, the HOV lanes on 95 in NoVa are now tolled.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by poppydog

I'd take I-81 if you want to avoid NYC and DC.

Something like this:
https://goo.gl/maps/Et34CWbn5pk Google maps says 11:33 right now

or this:
https://goo.gl/maps/DQq5SJ61QaB2 Google maps says 11:19 right now

Going straight through on I-95 Google Maps says 10:59 min right now. I'll take the extra 20-30 min over I-95 any day!

Excellent, particularly Option A.

81 and 29 through Virginia is a lovely drive.
Couldn't agree more. The extra half hour is time well spent.

[dj07551]

Thank you Everyone!

We are thinking of leaving 4/6 (a saturday) at 5am. The google drive time range 9 and 11hrs so much better in terms of traffic congestion.

Does this seem like a worth while plan?

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by dj07551

My family and I will be driving from North/Central CT to Raleigh...

Have you even looked at the google map suggested routes?

There aren't a whole lot of (practical) options aside from I-95 to I-85.
Try to avoid the bigger cities during rush hours.