Hey everyone -

I have a wedding this weekend in Charlottesville. Was curious as to the best route for me.

Mapquests recommends the straight down I95 to I64 West. Doesn't look to bad, except that 64 seems to head NW, and I'd be headed further South than I need to.

It is worthwhile to find a different route outside of DC that heads SW towards Charlottesville, or am I better off staying on the interstate with all the advantages of a multilane highway?

I'll be leaving my house about 8:30 on Friday - need to be at the rehearsal at 3 PM. I'll probably hit some decent traffic until I get South of Philly, and then it should be clear all the way. Don't think its worth the PA Tpk to 81 South, through Hagerstown, then to 64 East. Looks like its about 120-130 miles from Hagerstown to Charlottesville?

I'm not taking the S, so twisty roads aren't necessarily an interest on this trip. It also means I won't be attending the Wintergreen meet on Sunday, which I did investigate.

Any help appreciated, - Gary

 

You want to take 95 to the Washington Beltway (I-495) and then go west (outer loop, towards I-270??)
Follow that around (it will have lots of traffic) and once you cross over into Virginia, start looking for signs to I-66 West
Get on I-66 West and follow that to Gainesville where you will get on Route 29 south (watch out and don't get on 29 too soon...it winds around 66 and has another crossing or two - you want 29 south towards Warrenton, Culpeper and Charlottesville - I think it is exit 43)
Route 29 south will take you directly into Charlottesville

I am not sure about landmarks or specific signage for the above route, but I think it is better than coming all the way down to Richmond and then west to Charlottesville. Maybe someone from Northern Virginia or Washington can clarify some of the specifics about the beltway and such. I don't know that the Hagerstown way is very good...it seems way out of the way.

Rodney

 

Perhaps another suggestion might help. Take I-95 like you are headed to Richmond. At Fredericksburg(Exit #130), take Rt 3 toward Culpeper(W). After about 15 miles on Rt 3, make a left onto Rt 20. Rt 20 will take you all the way to Charlottesville. From Fredericksburg to C'ville this way is about 65 miles.

Find out how long it will take you to get Fredericksburg and add about an hour and fifteen. Hope this helps... I been driving this route for nearly 3 weeks now going back and forth to the hospital.

 

Yeah, you definitely don't want to go all the way south to Richmond on 95 then west to Charlottesville. Too far out of the way. As is the 81 route. Unfortunately, I'm afraid on Fri you are going to hit traffic around the DC Beltway (495). Or any day for that matter. Rodney's directions are good. From 95 South take 495 toward Virginia across the American Legion Bridge to 66 West to 29 South at Gainesville.

 

Thanks guys and gal. I'll do some more serious map checking and see how they look.

It looks like 15 and 29 are the same between Warrenton and Culpepper, where they seperate again. Did I read the map correctly, or is mapquest not representing the roads correctly.

 

Skip's way is also good - but I am never certain of the backups at the Mixing Bowl in Springfield. The last couple of times I have been through there, it has been surprisingly clear...but with all of the construction its hard to tell. NOVA folks would know better. I just dislike I-95 and try to stay off of it as much as possible. One word of caution if you take 29 - once you get south of Culpeper, be very careful about your speed. Madison and Greene counties are known as major speed traps on 29.

 

Right again, Rodney...I really hate 95, too and stay off of it as much as possible. I think I'm going to avoid 66, too and go Route 50 to 15 to 29 or whatever. I love back roads. Takes longer but so much more relaxing.

 

Gary lives in Jersey... I'm sure I-95 is not that bad to him!!

 

Hmmmm.... wonders how to interpret that.

I wouldn't expect that I'd hit a lot of traffic anywhere, even on a Friday, between 9 AM and 3 PM. If you're telling me otherwise, I should plan on heading down Thursday night, leaving my house around 9 PM

Keep in mind that 95 to 64 then west is about 300 miles exactly. Taking some roads as suggested will shorten the drive, however, also reduce the speeds. This may turn out to be a total wash. I was guessing about 5-5.5 hours from me, which leaves me a little, but not much leeway for traffic, etc...

I guess its lunch at the AAA office tomorrow to get some maps.