# Richmond VA to Annapolis MD - Best Route?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richmond-va-to-annapolis-md-best-route/407146
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [June 7, 2007, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richmond-va-to-annapolis-md-best-route/407146 "2007-06-07T17:01:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2007, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richmond-va-to-annapolis-md-best-route/407146/1 "2007-06-07T17:01:24Z")
I’ll be heading up to Annapolis MD tomorrow morning, leaving Richmond about 8:00 a.m. I’m debating the I-95 - I-495 - Route 50 trip vs. the Route 301 trip.
it has been a while since I drove in NoVA traffic. Has the Springfield Mixing Bowl project helped much? How’s the Woodrow Wilson Bridge crossing? I expect I’d reach the beltway about 9:30 or so if I go I-95.
Route 301 is a much easier drive from many perspectives (easier on the nerves, more scenic, etc.), but does add some time to the trip.
NoVA, DC, MD Dopers - what say you?
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### Author:  [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2007, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richmond-va-to-annapolis-md-best-route/407146/2 "2007-06-07T17:58:51Z")
I enjoy the 301 drive more so that’s the way I go more often than not.
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### Author:  [@Cowboy8467](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowboy8467)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2007, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richmond-va-to-annapolis-md-best-route/407146/3 "2007-06-07T19:02:56Z")
Avoid the Mixing bowl in addition to the Woodrow Wilson if you can. The traffic at the mixing bowl has gotten a little better but it’s still pretty horrific, and if you’re going to be there around rush hour then forget it. Same with the bridge, they’ve opened up some new spans but not enough.
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### Author:  [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richmond-va-to-annapolis-md-best-route/407146/4 "2007-06-07T21:29:58Z")
It’s a shame I’m going out of town this weekend, **plnnr** … I live in Annapolis and I’d invite you to lunch.
Adam
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### Author:  [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)
#### Post date: [June 7, 2007, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richmond-va-to-annapolis-md-best-route/407146/5 "2007-06-07T21:37:37Z")
When I moved up here at the beginning of the year I took 301. I don’t think it’s much slower, but even if it is, it’s a whole lot less stressful and a bit more direct than 95.
_waves to fellow Annapolis area dopers_
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### Author:  [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2007, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richmond-va-to-annapolis-md-best-route/407146/6 "2007-06-08T02:46:15Z")
It amuses me every morning as I’m driving in to work in DC to hear the traffic reports. Every time, I can predict one of the delays, because it never changes. “Wilson Bridge, starting around Indian Head Highway.” I wonder why they even bother to mention it every morning. Granted, this is going west across the bridge, from MD into VA. But I’ve been in that area in the mornings, and it’s not much better eastbound.
Take 301. You miss the Mixing Bowl and Wilson Bridge (really, just DC traffic in general), it’s more direct, and it’s a bit more scenic route.