Advice on travelling on I-95 south

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Spector
You probably already know it but take I 295 from just outside of Richmond to hook up with I 95 beyond Richmond to avoid the city. VA roads are in terrible condition, some are washboards so watch the potholes, especially after the last storm. I am convinced we either do not know how to build roads or the contractor specs the state provides are on the cheap side or the contractors do not know how to build roads that last beyond a year.

You must never ever hit the DC area between 6-9 AM M_F and 3-6 PM M-F. It is a disaster.


We'll be hitting DC around 11 o clock at night hopefully so no worries.

 

[wantin150]

Be very careful in SC near the I95/I26 interchange. LOTS of accidents in that area. In SC, 7-8 over is usually tolerated. However, I95 is a huge drug route so interdiction stops are common. I have often heard I95 referred to as a "race track" so 72 may get you blown off the road. Either way, BE CAREFUL and enjoy your trip!

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
Don't have advice for I-95, but you'll need to drive on I-4 to get to Disney and it normally sucks. Heavy traffic and people drive crazy.


+1! Be extremely careful on I4. The only place I've ever been where a group of Japanese tourists came to a complete stop to take pictures of a guy changing a semi tire.

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: Spector
VA roads are in terrible condition


They're OK around here.

Richmond probably maintains their own roads. All cities in Virginia do, as opposed to VDOT doing it.

 

[swalve]

Roads in NOVA are a delight. At least pavement-wise.

I'd expect that at that time of day, if you don't hit traffic getting out of the NY area, you'd hit DC more like 9:30 - 10.

If you are looking for a scenic detour, take the beltway west to the George Washington Parkway. Take that south and get off on 395 south which meets back up with 95. You'll see scenic washington DC from across the river, and then pass by the pentagon.

You could also take the GW all the way down into old town Alexandria and then jog over to the Jefferson Davis and jump back on the Beltway and return to 95.

Or take it through to Ft. Belvior and jump back on there. I don't know that there's any reason to do it that way though.

 

[AuthorEditor]

Depending on the weather, it is generally a much nicer route to take 88 from Albany down to Binghamton, then 81 to 77 to 26 and back on 95S down in SC. It is about 85 miles longer than going via 95 along the coast the whole way, but much more scenic, a lot less traffic (usually), no tolls most of the way, and nicer places to stop. You avoid NYC, NJ, Washington DC, etc. Just don't do it if snow is predicted in the mountains. I have been snarled up so many times in some traffic jam on 95 (even in the middle of the night) that I prefer the inland route most of the time. Or, it might be an alternate route for your return trip. Have fun!

 

[ALS]

I make a Pittsburgh to Naples run three to four times a year.
I hit I-95 at the I-26 interchange and take it down to Jacksonville. Because of that I know that section like the back of my hand as they say.

People talk about the Georgia State Troopers being tough. Nope you want to be real careful running through South Carolina on I-95. They don't play around and anything with a V8 is used as an unmarked car. Crown Vics, Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers, SHO Taurus, Impala SS, to name a few.

Virginia in some sections on I-95 has a minimum $1,100 fine for speeding. My advice with states especially South Carolina in financial difficulty it would be well worth your time to limit your speed to posted limits. Especially in the construction zones where fines are doubled.

Va is 65 mph max, NC, SC, Ga, and Fl. are 70 mph max on I-95.
Is a $150 or more speeding ticket worth saving an hour in travel time?

FYI I limit my speed during my trips between Pittsburgh and Naples to a maximum of 65 mph or the speed limit if a lower speed limit. How much time do you think it costs me limit my speed to 65 mph over 1,170 miles? Try 45 minutes, and my gas mileage jumps close to three miles per gallon.

 

[AuthorEditor]

+1 to what ALS says about watching the speed limit. I find it much less stressful if I click in the cruise control in between the limit and maybe 5mph over just to keep up with traffic flow better. Plus, I think it makes you much safer, instead of accelerating and slowing all the time, every time you think there might be a speed trap coming up. Having said that, a few years ago I was on 95 just south of Jacksonville with a bunch of snowbirds that gradually crept up to 95+. The entire fast lane was rolling along like that, nearly reaching 100 a few times. I was in a hurry in my old Crown Vic that looked like a plain wrapper trooper car and I made some amazing time. It was quick, but I don't recommend it. Very stressful.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: ALS
I make a Pittsburgh to Naples run three to four times a year.
I hit I-95 at the I-26 interchange and take it down to Jacksonville. Because of that I know that section like the back of my hand as they say.

People talk about the Georgia State Troopers being tough. Nope you want to be real careful running through South Carolina on I-95. They don't play around and anything with a V8 is used as an unmarked car. Crown Vics, Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers, SHO Taurus, Impala SS, to name a few.

Virginia in some sections on I-95 has a minimum $1,100 fine for speeding. My advice with states especially South Carolina in financial difficulty it would be well worth your time to limit your speed to posted limits. Especially in the construction zones where fines are doubled.

Va is 65 mph max, NC, SC, Ga, and Fl. are 70 mph max on I-95.
Is a $150 or more speeding ticket worth saving an hour in travel time?

FYI I limit my speed during my trips between Pittsburgh and Naples to a maximum of 65 mph or the speed limit if a lower speed limit. How much time do you think it costs me limit my speed to 65 mph over 1,170 miles? Try 45 minutes, and my gas mileage jumps close to three miles per gallon.


Wow is SC THAT bad? I'll pass the message on then.

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: ALS

Va is 65 mph max


They just recently approved a speed limit increase to 70MPH, but who knows how long it'll take to get the signs installed.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Stay out of all RaceTrac gas stations.

 

[dailydriver]

...Pedro Sez...

You'll want to strangle 'Pedro' by the time you reach central S.C.!!!

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver
...Pedro Sez...

You'll want to strangle 'Pedro' by the time you reach central S.C.!!!


The food there is not that good but its a good place to walk around for a short...They used to have a lot nice thing there but the last time I stopped there [last year] it was mostly junk.

 

[AntiMatic]

Correct on Pedro. FYI, my late father-in-law used to be facilities (maintenance) manager there 30-40 years ago. I am only 45 minutes from there and have actually been there once.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
I would not drive to Disney. There's too much to see there and there's little need for a car. Now if you're touring Orlando and hitting up all the other resort distractions (Sea World, etc.) ..then, sure. My rental car took me from the rental agency to my Disney hotel ..and back to the rental agency.


+1 to that. You don't even need a rental car. Most of the hotels in the area will shuttle you to/from the airport and to/from the Disney sites. Rudolpha, the "Gap" you are referring to? The Delaware water gap perhaps? It's a cool scenic area.

Joel

 

[ProfPS]

Personally I avoid I-95 when ever I can. I would save the toll money and time spent in traffic on the NY Thruway, Garden St Pkway, NJ Turnpike, one of the Baltimore tunnels, thru D.C., Alexandria, & Richmond; and travel on I-88, I-81, I-77, & I 26 to pickup I-95 in S.C. It may add a few extra miles, but you will be ahead of the game on time & tolls - nicer ride overall.

Also, Fed Reserve Chairman Bernanke got his start at South of the Border - Chili Today, Hot Tamale!

 

[PeteTheFarmer]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
I would not drive to Disney. There's too much to see there and there's little need for a car. Now if you're touring Orlando and hitting up all the other resort distractions (Sea World, etc.) ..then, sure. My rental car took me from the rental agency to my Disney hotel ..and back to the rental agency.


+1 to that. You don't even need a rental car. Most of the hotels in the area will shuttle you to/from the airport and to/from the Disney sites. Rudolpha, the "Gap" you are referring to? The Delaware water gap perhaps? It's a cool scenic area.

Joel


The gap refers to the fact that I-95 isn't contiguous in New Jersey, but if you take the Turnpike to its southern terminus, it's no problem getting back on 95.

 

[Nick R]

Oh by the way, we are driving because it is a LOOOOOOOOT cheaper. (Won't say how much) but it would have been close to 5 figures to fly down there.

 

[andyd]

I havent driven down I 95 past Warwick RI in nearly 40 yrs. Instead I pick up I 81 in PA instead of I 95 from NYC to Richmond. It is free and in good shape to I 77. It is a truck road. Watch out for fog on I 77 around Fancy Gap. I just pay attention to the semis. If they are moving fine, if they slow down, so do I.

 

[Mr Nice]

I-95 in FL is smooth sailing to I-4 and then to Orlando.

FL Highway Patrol is really not that strict unless you are driving like a nut, you can easily cruise at 80 MPH without any worries.