A good drive or better taking 95? (area, pay, coastal)

[slalemand]

Ok folks. I'm heading to Havelock, NC and google says 1 to 13, to 17 is the shortest route ( 882 miles, 16 hours from Maine), but with summer traffic, is it going to be the slowest?

I would be driving it Thursday from 9am thru 6pm at night.

The route I normally take is 84 to 81 to 95 and is 1014 miles but only 17 hours, and I'm on light traffic highways. It is an hour longer, but I'm wondering if it's an easier hour, or if the coastal route is fine (65 MPH+-) and nice roadways?

I'll be return the next morning, and traveling this area from 3am thru 2pm.

Skip

[Nebat]

Hey there! I actually have an aunt near Havelock! I mapquested it from Portland and they have you on i84 to i95 to Delaware and then taking rt 13 into VA and then continuing on rt 17 to Havelock. it looks like you'll still have to go through NYC and Philly though. An alternative, though probably much longer is taking i84 to i81 and traveling to i66 in VA and then picking up rt 17 or i95. Everyone will tell you to avoid DC at all costs, and timewise it will pay to avoid it even if it is a longer route. Oh and one thing to be aware of is if you take rt 13 over the Ches Bay bridge/tunnel, it's a freaking huge toll one way. I think it's 12 or 13 bucks. Haven't been there in a while so don't know for sure. Good luck!