Washington DC weekday traffic

[coveman]

I am travelling from Kingston Ontario to the outer
banks in NC at the end of September. Is it still very slow
through Washington during the day due to construction or would
it be better going through Winchester VA and then over to I-95
at Frederickburg VA

[rkavan]

I don't know about construction there, because I avoid the DC I495 Beltway like the plague, but traffic is a nightmare on any day. Since you will be on I81, it would be a shame to go to I495. I take I66 south of Winchester, and then 17, to Fredericksburg, on my trips from Boston to Florida.

[coveman]

Thanks and when I travel to Florida in February I always
take 1-81 to 77 through Charlotte to I-95.
I went through DC last October on a Saturday and it was
also a nightmare getting through it
Thanks again

[snowdog]

I'd do it this way

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s ... 128418&z=6

Zoom in for finer detail

[rkavan]

I have used I77/I26 and consider it a tossup with I66/17. There are many variations, and the suggestion from snowdog would take you over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which is interesting, if you have never done that. Another interesting variation (in good/warm weather) is to take the ferry from Cape May, NJ to Lewes, Delaware, but those "variations" are expensive.

[reg767]

Has anyone tried the Annapolis, MD - route 301 south variation?

Going south on i-95 from New Jersey into DEL, take the exit in DEL from i-95 for route 301 south that will go through Annapolis, MD and continuing on Rte 301 south thru Brandywine MD and Waldorf MD to go over the Gov. Nice bridge. From here, there is a reasonably straightforward reconnection to i-95 south. This way totally avoids the DC traffic or construction/accident potential issues which could pop up anytime. This will likely be longer, but is this option something reasonable to consider?