Routes from Raleigh to Philadelphia -- save me from 95! Options

[morehills]

I'm picking up a car in Raleigh and driving back to the Berkshires next week. I'd like to divert off I95 for some of the journey from Raleigh to Philly. Can anyone local suggest some alternate roads from south to north. Would love to avoid all interstate driving.

Thanks, John

[flipb]

I usually favor I-81 over the frustration of I-95 when going between the DC metro area and Georgia. That's a bit more out-of-the-way from Raleigh.

If you're willing to take the time, the drive up 29 from Charlottesville is pleasant and pretty. Then you can join 15 all the way up through Leesburg, VA and across the scenic bridge into Maryland at Point of Rocks. Stay on 15 all the way to Gettysburg, then head East on 30 through Lancaster, PA.

Google Maps -- on the other hand -- suggests going east through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel, which is a pretty cool experience, and then up the DelMarVa peninsula.

[VaccaRabite]

I-81 for sure over 95.

Depending on the traffic on 95, 81 may not even take you much longer. If possible you do not want to be anywhere near 95 when you get to Northern Va till after you get past 495 north of DC.

The other option is taking 301 north over the Harry Nice bridge, and picking up 97 south of Baltimore.

Zach

[morehills]

Thank you

[East coaster]

I drive from NJ to FL and back quite a bit and would love an alternate to 95, but these suggestions look like they would add multiple hours/miles to the path. What am I missing?

[flipb]

I drive from NJ to FL and back quite a bit and would love an alternate to 95, but these suggestions look like they would add multiple hours/miles to the path. What am I missing?

Some folks will take an extra couple hours of driving over hours spent in heavy traffic. The trade-off is more about quality-of-drive than getting there quickest, which would still usually mean I-95.

You could also look into the Amtrak Auto train. Drive from NJ to Lorton, VA (just south of DC), board the train (and they load your car onto it as well), sleep on the train and then get get reunited with your car in Sanford, Florida the next morning.

[StarBear]

I usually favor I-81 over the frustration of I-95 when going between the DC metro area and Georgia. That's a bit more out-of-the-way from Raleigh.

If you're willing to take the time, the drive up 29 from Charlottesville is pleasant and pretty. Then you can join 15 all the way up through Leesburg, VA and across the scenic bridge into Maryland at Point of Rocks. Stay on 15 all the way to Gettysburg, then head East on 30 through Lancaster, PA.

Google Maps -- on the other hand -- suggests going east through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel, which is a pretty cool experience, and then up the DelMarVa peninsula.

I love that 29/15 route. Stop at Warrenton for pie!
Trick may be getting to C’ville and 29 from Raleigh. Rt17 ?

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

I-85 to I-95!!!

I'm picking up a car in Raleigh and driving back to the Berkshires next week. I'd like to divert off I95 for some of the journey from Raleigh to Philly. Can anyone local suggest some alternate roads from south to north. Would love to avoid all interstate driving.

Thanks, John

[GregAmy]

<--- this guy that drives a shad ton from central CT to Summit Point, NJMP, VIR, Road Atlanta.

I-95 sux.

I don't know where in Philly you are, but I usually meet my buddy in West Deptford NJ for our trips down to VIR. We take 295 to 95 to the DMB then break off to 301 south then 50 to Annapolis, then grab 301 south again, right turn at Bowling Green to grab 95 to Richmond (then your fav way to Raleigh). And if you look at the miles, it's about the same.

It involves some retail hell and stop lights, but the stress is scad tons lower. Seriously.

Although those two bridges scare the scheiss out of me, especially when I'm towing a 32-foot enclosed car sailboat...

Then Philly to the Berkshires (not very geo-specific)*? Get thee over to I-81 (edit: see asterisk below). Do not let that Waze b***h convince you New York is faster. It ain't, she's in the pockets of the Metro Transit Authority.

Good luck, Godspeed.

*EDIT: I see you're llisted as Great Barrington. You know you can't tow on the parkways. From Philly, I'd go 95 NJTP to I-287 around NYC, then take the Thruway (87) north to Newburgh. You'll know your fav way to get home from there.

Resist The Waze B***H. She actually hates you.

[BeatNavy]

301 south then 50 to Annapolis, then grab 301 south again, right turn at Bowling Green to grab 95 to Richmond (then your fav way to Raleigh). And if you look at the miles, it's about the same.

It involves some retail hell and stop lights, but the stress is scad tons lower. Seriously.

This is my preferred way to get to southern VA or NC from my location on MD eastern shore. Except for the area on 301 between Bowie and Upper Marlboro the rest is a piece of cake, and it's a pretty drive as well. Greg's route will let you skip both Baltimore and DC beltway and put you far enough south on I95 to miss the other nonsense.

[morehills]

301 south then 50 to Annapolis, then grab 301 south again, right turn at Bowling Green to grab 95 to Richmond (then your fav way to Raleigh). And if you look at the miles, it's about the same.

It involves some retail hell and stop lights, but the stress is scad tons lower. Seriously.

This is my preferred way to get to southern VA or NC from my location on MD eastern shore. Except for the area on 301 between Bowie and Upper Marlboro the rest is a piece of cake, and it's a pretty drive as well. Greg's route will let you skip both Baltimore and DC beltway and put you far enough south on I95 to miss the other nonsense.

Thanks,

I'm flying down to pick up a newish 911. Traveling alone, I can take some time and enjoy meandering on blue highways and visiting Civil war battlefields along the way. If I should divert for anything outstanding or to avoid something dreadful let me know. And thanks for all the great suggestions.

Rough itinerary: North from Raleigh on 15 to Clarksville, then west on 58 and back north on 501 towards Appomattox, then onto 29 to Charlottesville, where I'll stay the first night. From there onto 15 north through Culpeper (who can resist that name), to Leesburg and north to Gettysburg. Then back east towards Philly to have dinner with my daughters and stay the night. From Philly home is familiar and not great until I clear NYC.

[flipb]

Thanks,

I'm flying down to pick up a newish 911. Traveling alone, I can take some time and enjoy meandering on blue highways and visiting Civil war battlefields along the way. If I should divert for anything outstanding or to avoid something dreadful let me know. And thanks for all the great suggestions.

Rough itinerary: North from Raleigh on 15 to Clarksville, then west on 58 and back north on 501 towards Appomattox, then onto 29 to Charlottesville, where I'll stay the first night. From there onto 15 north through Culpeper (who can resist that name), to Leesburg and north to Gettysburg. Then back east towards Philly to have dinner with my daughters and stay the night. From Philly home is familiar and not great until I clear NYC.

Sounds like a fantastic drive. The part of that I'm familiar with is a lovely drive. Charlottesville is a great town and there are plenty of breweries and wineries nearby. Grab breakfast at Bodo's Bagels. There's a famous ice cream shop called the Moo Thru that you'll pass on 15 a bit after Culpeper.

If you're into history, Jefferson's Monticello is just outside Charlottesville too.

If you want to detour even farther to the West, Skyline Drive is a great option. You could pick it up at Waynesboro, all the way up to Luray, then take 211 over to Warrenton to rejoin 15.

[GregAmy]

If you want to detour even farther to the West, Skyline Drive is a great option.

Wow, yeah, if you're in a 911 and have the time, this and the Blue Ridge Parkway should be on your touring list.

Enjoy!

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

you are missing NOTHING, that is the only way to go from there to there, Used to go to college in Lexington VA, and would, from atlanta, go 1-85 to 77 to 1 81, but total impractical from raleigh to philadelphia to go any other way without adding HOURS to your trip. If you were going to Pittsburgh or western Pa, THEN maybe consider 1-81 but getting there from raleigh is also out of the way

I drive from NJ to FL and back quite a bit and would love an alternate to 95, but these suggestions look like they would add multiple hours/miles to the path. What am I missing?