I’m insanely planning to drive with my 2 kids from Central MA to Coastal North Carolina with no other adult drivers. I’m attempting to do this all in one shot. So far my plan is to leave at 3AM, getting me to the NY area around 6:30am. I can avoid the George Washington Bridge easily and even the Tappan Zee, if that’s crazy crowded at that hour, by going across at Newburgh and down 87. Done those routes and am comfortable with that. And that’s pretty much where my comfort level and knowledge end! I’ve looked at maps, I’ve gotten different ideas and directions but would love some “real” input. One thought is to head out 84, avoiding the NYC/NJ area completely, taking 81S and then eventually hooking back up onto 95 north of Richmond. But that seems like it will add enough time to make it an impossible one day drive. The other route I’ve been shown on the maps takes me down a really coastal way - east of 95 (rt 13?). It looks like a cool drive scenery-wise but it also looks like the roads could be pretty small and slow-going and then there’s that part that seems to cross about 150,000 miles of water that might not thrill me to death… I don’t mind driving 95 per se, but want to avoid the GW Bridge and am not hot on driving through DC as, from what I’ve heard, there’s pretty much always traffic there and I’d be going through in the middle of the day.
So any hints, tips or tricks from any Dopers who’ve done a similar trip? Any recommendations for decent, but relatively inexpensive accommodations if I get to somewhere near the Richmond area (or along that line) and decide I’ve had enough?
And one last question…am I insane for attempting this?
I’ve done DC to coastal NC zilliions of times, but even that is only a chunk of your substantially larger route. I’d be concerned that you’ll get burned out after driving such a long route and wind up in the dark woods of the piedmont yawning with the sun going down.
So, perhaps most importantly, where in NC are you going?
As I posted this I realize that I had actually written “I’ve DON’T DC to coastal NC”, so perhaps my subconscious has a fully formed opinion on this topic
I’d recommend a stop-over in Richmond, because New Bern is actually a bit of hike once you get into NC.
There are plenty of reasonabley priced, conveniently located, and brand new motels along the I-95/I-64 corridor in the Richmond area - we’ve been experiencing a hotel boom of late.
You’re right about taking the Eastern Shore route. It is much more scenic, but 13 is a slow go due to all the traffic lights. Of course, if you go 13 you’ll get to stop at StingRay’s near Cape Charles and the food is great (it is a restaurant in the back of a convenience store/gas station, but don’t let that dissuade you - it actually has a cool ambience). You’ll also see the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel.
Someone told me if you take Rte 1 first and then got on Rt 13 after Dover that the road gets better. And then there’s that Bridge/Tunnel thing… Is it generally crowded? Certain times of the day better than another? If I decided to go that route and wanted to stay over south of Dover, have any recommendations?
Thanks! Can ya tell I’m a little nervous about this? I used to be a lot more, I don’t know, daring? if that’s the right word, but I had a bad road trip experience (Long story short, car engine blew halfway to our destination and we were stuck for two weeks, with three kids - one an infant - and strep throat for all…) and I really haven’t gone long distance since. This time I"m renting a car, so I’m more confident about that, but I’m just finding myself more nervous than I’d thought I’d be.
I’ve never been north of Chincoteague on 13, so I can’t speak to the conditions. South of Chincoteague, 13 is still full of stop lights as it goes through the little towns and wide spots in the road. It is a nice drive, though, if you aren’t in a terrible rush.
The CBBT has never been crowded when I’ve been on it - it does cost about $20 to go through/across.
The bay bridge / tunnel is really impressive and worth a jaunt, though as noted, otherwise the route south along the Eastern Shore can be quite long. As a comparison: Back in 1993 we were at a wedding in Hampton VA (near Norfolk). We could have driven back to the DC area via 64 / 95 and it would have taken 3 hours; we opted to do the bridge / tunnel, and it took 6 (we knew it would, and we wanted the scenery). I do not know what the traffic is like there that time of day, but I have heard the whole Hampton Roads area has the second-worst traffic in the state.
As far as the DC area goes: if you’re through the area and on your way southbound by 3 PM (roughly) you’ll beat the worst of the afternoon traffic and it should be pretty straightforward. The roads will be well-populated, but tolerable. I wouldn’t let it go much later than that, however.
I was looking at routes from Massachusetts to the DC area a few weeks back as a colleague was talking about his route (he lives near Boston and is on a project here, so he drives every week or two). Avoiding the NY metro area entirely, and going down through PA, adds 70ish miles to the trip. Since you’re in central MA vs eastern, that might not be as big an addition to your trip. 81 through Pennsylvania is generally decent, then if you didn’t mind hitting the DC area, you’d take I-83 and PA 581 (crowded but not very long) around the outskirts of Harrisburg, then south on US-15 (very good road, 4 lanes and only a handful of traffic lights, all at the very beginning) to I-270 in Maryland, then to the beltway around Washington. I don’t know if you’d be able to do all that and get south of DC by 3 PM though, but if you hit Harrisburg by noon, that’s doable.
Bring GameBoys and portable DVD players! iPods, any sort of electronic babysitters you can get.
You might want to stay and take a break in Williamsburg, VA. They have Busch Gardens, Water Country, go-cart tracks, minature golf, and outlet malls for you. Plus plenty of hotels.
Take the Bay Bridge going in which ever direction will allow you to cross in daylight.
If you ask nicely and ahead of time they will even have an employee drive your car for you if you’re afraid of heights or bridges or whatever. I am not a touristy guy but stop at the restaurant. The fried flounder sandwich is really good. Really good.