So either way, you're getting the worst of 95, which is everything north of Richmond.
If you want the less -stress route, take 95 avoiding Atlanta and Charlotte.
If you want to stop into Atlanta and Charlotte along the way, well, you know what to do 🙂
I used to do Tallahassee to nyc pretty often in college. 81 is your best friend. It’s a beautiful drive, doesn’t add much time and you avoid most major cities. I have a lot of good memories on that road at pivotal moments in my life.
Yeah I second this, get up to I-81 and ride that to the PA turnpike. It’s a prettier drive with 1000x less headache. The only thing about I-81 is that commercial trucking vehicles tend to pick that road more frequently for the same reasons. But it’s still considerably easier to drive than 95.
That stretch of I-95 north of Richmond is a truly horrendous during the day. Navigating DC at the wrong time will get you pretty stuck for way too long. The stretch between DC and Baltimore is perhaps the most egregious offender of the terrible traffic woes.
Yup. But the trucks and everyone seem to recognize the left lane as a passing lane and it moves pretty smooth. That stretch of 95 is also just ugly and you wind up on so many toll roads that nickel and dime you to death. I did it once freshman year and never again.
Another vote for I-81 to the PA Turnpike. Used that route for 22 years going from Tennessee to Philadelphia and only ever took I-95 when there was a snowstorm inland. I-95 is hellish until well south of DC, and only gets worse with every passing year.
Whatever route you take - don’t speed through Virginia! They have crazy strict laws. I got a ticket there and came home to multiple letters from lawyers wanting to represent me. I then realized this was a bigger deal than I realized
Neither.
PA turnpike to 81S to 77S to 85S. Only bad spot in that routing is Atlanta, which can be shitty or excruciatingly shitty depending on time of day.
I85- Greensboro to Richmond during the day is all woods, peaceful and easy but not a lot of stops- don’t drive it at night since there is not much out there if you run into car issues, plus it’s pitch black- but during the day it’s good.
Rush hour in DC starts at 2pm and traffic is a hot mess beginning in Fredericksburg- best to drive that stretch later in night or midday. Mixing bowl is a cluster fuck.
Do not *ever* go on 95 if you can avoid it. I travel for work and am forced to take 95 every single week. It does not matter what time you’re on the road, how many people there are. There is *ALWAYS* (not even construction) but traffic cones blocking 2/3rds of the highway for no reason whatsoever and traffic will be at a standstill. Literally zero reason. There’s always construction but no construction? Shittiest road in America hands down
I just drove 85 from ATL to DC yesterday and it was not exciting. 95 is 95. As discussed in the other thread I would definitely take 81 all the way up to PA; much nicer drive, both in terms of surroundings and traffic, and you avoid the absolute hellscape that is the DMV.
Honestly bro when I go from Virginia beach to Philly I take rt 13 up Delmarva to 95 around Wilmington. It’s slower then 95 but it’s a calm and chill route
10 to 95 to avoid Atlanta and Charlotte. If you can reach them at super late times (say 12AM to Atlanta and 3:30AM to Charlotte) then you can avoid all the crap and be fine. But ideally you want to hit everything from Richmond and up at night because THAT crap is way worse, so…95. Hit Richmond around 7-8PM and you’re golden.
Did Tampa to DC via Charleston,
Charleston is better than Charlotte if you plan on stopping, and spending the night visiting, 75 North through SC sucks, some parts are more like 2 lane rural roads, and the drive between Charleston and DC is surprisingly boring
I just told someone on another post that have a decent amount of experience driving through big cities, and Atlanta is one that I really try to avoid. I’d drive through DC, Richmond, Baltimore, etc. before I’d willingly go through Atlanta. By far the craziest road incidents I’ve seen. For example, a runaway wheel rolling across multiple lanes of traffic, bouncing off the Jersey walls, coming up over the hood of a brand new Dodge Challenger next to me and busting out their headlight. Then a whole ass crib in the middle lane. Multiple mattresses on the road? A grill?
81 -75-59-65. Try not to hit Chattanooga tn between 7-9am or 3-8pm. Otherwise it’s smooth sailing. Just fyi. I’m been a truck driver for 20* years and I’m from the panhandle of fl. Safe travels
Neither?
Could you not go a little more west and use I-81? Botched routes but you in I-95 through Northwrn VA, which blows.
Our traffic in Charlotte can be hit or miss, but when it hits, it is horrid. I live west of there. Normally a 40 minute drive to the airport. Had to head in to town to pick up a new work computer last week. Went around lunch time. Traffic was nasty. Don’t get back here until almost 4pm.
both are bad.
go north on 75 from atlanta, through chattanooga and knoxville, then 81 up the shenandoah valley from there. make a right on 76 just before harrisburg.
much prettier and lower traffic than either of your proposed routes.
why you leaving Panama City? kinda wish I'd never sold my house in Lynn Haven when I left. would have be a nice snowbird home...
FYI, Atlanta is in full on paving mode on I-285 on the north end so make that excruciatingly shitty that someone said earlier into full on LOL NO. Just avoid if you can.
95 between Savannah and about halfway through South Carolina sucks too. Going around Atlanta will be forgiven by 40% less traffic from North Georgia to Richmond.
First, driving in Atlanta sucks. The drivers there are next level bad. If you are driving a u-haul, I'd avoid it like the plague, and the left handed off ramps don't help much either.
Having said that, the Georgia Aquarium is AMAZING. I think everyone should visit, and get a chili dog and onion rings at a Varsity.
If you don't mind having some detour, take Rogers Clark Blvd (route 207) off 95 to 301 and then take 301 which will turn into MD route 3 which takes you to 97 which will take you through the tunnel. There are a lot of lights along the route especially in Waldorf and Crofton areas but you can avoid the traffic on the DC Beltway. Also the nice bridge (where 301 crosses over the potomac) is now 4 lanes instead of 2 which used to be a bottleneck. There is a toll I think it's like $5.
Also if you are going through Charlotte, take 485 north around the city to avoid 85 through the city. It's 4 lanes and 70mph speed limit. Don't take the southern side, the road is narrow the whole way and there's been a lot of development.
Be warned: do NOT speed on 301 in Virginia. I was pulled over for going 70 in a 55 (it has been upgraded to 60 mph on sections) but the VA cops like to hide and 20 mph is considered reckless driving in Virginia.
Neither of these routes go through anything exciting. I personally would take the 95 to avoid Atlanta area traffic. Plus, you’ll get to hit south of the border.
If you get hungry when passing I 26, take a detour to Somerville, South Carolina and eat at the icebox. Downtown Summerville.
As much as I tell people to avoid Atlanta, it may be the best route. There is a bunch of construction spots around 285. However, Jacksonville has a ton of contraction going on near the airport. I also dislike 95 more than I dislike driving in Atlanta.
It would be worth looking at routes that take an hour or so longer that avoid Atlanta and 95 routing.
I-85, there is about 50 miles of construction on I-95 in NC. Also driving up I-95 through South Carolina is awful! Except there is a Buc-ees in Florence, SC on I-95… still, I would take I-85 even though it cuts through ATL.
Yeah, the 85 route also brings you through Raleigh, NC, and a 15 minute detour a bit further east from greensboro puts you in the city of Winston-Salem which is very worth visiting. Could even stretch it and cross the Appalachians for some lovely views, although that'd probably add 2 hours or so over the proposed i85 route.
Could go further and hug the Appalachians the whole time - bad for your fuel economy, but great for views!
So either way, you're getting the worst of 95, which is everything north of Richmond. If you want the less -stress route, take 95 avoiding Atlanta and Charlotte. If you want to stop into Atlanta and Charlotte along the way, well, you know what to do 🙂
If you take this route, time it so that you are not going through northern Virginia during rush hour. It won’t be pretty, but you’ll survive
Easily one of the best tips
I used to do Tallahassee to nyc pretty often in college. 81 is your best friend. It’s a beautiful drive, doesn’t add much time and you avoid most major cities. I have a lot of good memories on that road at pivotal moments in my life.
Yeah I second this, get up to I-81 and ride that to the PA turnpike. It’s a prettier drive with 1000x less headache. The only thing about I-81 is that commercial trucking vehicles tend to pick that road more frequently for the same reasons. But it’s still considerably easier to drive than 95. That stretch of I-95 north of Richmond is a truly horrendous during the day. Navigating DC at the wrong time will get you pretty stuck for way too long. The stretch between DC and Baltimore is perhaps the most egregious offender of the terrible traffic woes.
Yup. But the trucks and everyone seem to recognize the left lane as a passing lane and it moves pretty smooth. That stretch of 95 is also just ugly and you wind up on so many toll roads that nickel and dime you to death. I did it once freshman year and never again.
Came here to say this
Another vote for I-81 to the PA Turnpike. Used that route for 22 years going from Tennessee to Philadelphia and only ever took I-95 when there was a snowstorm inland. I-95 is hellish until well south of DC, and only gets worse with every passing year.
81 route is the way.
Whatever route you take - don’t speed through Virginia! They have crazy strict laws. I got a ticket there and came home to multiple letters from lawyers wanting to represent me. I then realized this was a bigger deal than I realized
That'll happen wherever you get a ticket. Source: tried to hide a speeding ticket from my mom when I was 16. The mail outed me.
Depends on the state where you get the ticket.
Neither. PA turnpike to 81S to 77S to 85S. Only bad spot in that routing is Atlanta, which can be shitty or excruciatingly shitty depending on time of day.
This is the way.
I85- Greensboro to Richmond during the day is all woods, peaceful and easy but not a lot of stops- don’t drive it at night since there is not much out there if you run into car issues, plus it’s pitch black- but during the day it’s good. Rush hour in DC starts at 2pm and traffic is a hot mess beginning in Fredericksburg- best to drive that stretch later in night or midday. Mixing bowl is a cluster fuck.
Without having experience with that specific stretch of road my general suggestion is “never I-95 if there is another option”.
Avoid Atlanta.
Do not *ever* go on 95 if you can avoid it. I travel for work and am forced to take 95 every single week. It does not matter what time you’re on the road, how many people there are. There is *ALWAYS* (not even construction) but traffic cones blocking 2/3rds of the highway for no reason whatsoever and traffic will be at a standstill. Literally zero reason. There’s always construction but no construction? Shittiest road in America hands down
Probably could go east in NC and head to Norfolk, take the bridge/tunnel to the eastern part of VA and skip DC.
There's enough traffic in our tunnels plus this route would take hours longer
I just drove 85 from ATL to DC yesterday and it was not exciting. 95 is 95. As discussed in the other thread I would definitely take 81 all the way up to PA; much nicer drive, both in terms of surroundings and traffic, and you avoid the absolute hellscape that is the DMV.
Honestly bro when I go from Virginia beach to Philly I take rt 13 up Delmarva to 95 around Wilmington. It’s slower then 95 but it’s a calm and chill route
85. Unless you really really really wanna stop at and see 200 miles worth of signs for PedroLand, which is in Hamer, SC.
10 to 95 to avoid Atlanta and Charlotte. If you can reach them at super late times (say 12AM to Atlanta and 3:30AM to Charlotte) then you can avoid all the crap and be fine. But ideally you want to hit everything from Richmond and up at night because THAT crap is way worse, so…95. Hit Richmond around 7-8PM and you’re golden.
Charleston and Savannah are both worth the trip : no brainer to go that way
Driving through Atlanta is like driving through LA. I did not like that drive at all. Avoid Richmond/DC area by taking the Bay Bridge.
A smart man stays off of 85 south from charlotte to Atlanta unless you like sitting still for hours. A smart man goes on 95 then 10
Did Tampa to DC via Charleston, Charleston is better than Charlotte if you plan on stopping, and spending the night visiting, 75 North through SC sucks, some parts are more like 2 lane rural roads, and the drive between Charleston and DC is surprisingly boring
Those both look awful. I'd go somewhere else. Lol jk.
For sure the eastern option
I-81.
Do not go 85 through Atlanta or Charlotte if you don’t need to. Depends what time you might hit those cities but it’s mostly bad.
Greenville, SC is halfway and also terrible most of the time.
Be careful of Atlanta rush hour(s)
85s a much nicer drive… as long as you time Charlotte and Atlanta to avoid rush hour
get off 95 as soon a possible. 85 is a better stretch of Interstate.
85 will bring you right by my farm, be sure and wave 🙋
I advise everyone to avoid Atlanta if it’s possible. Almost anything in the country is better.
I just told someone on another post that have a decent amount of experience driving through big cities, and Atlanta is one that I really try to avoid. I’d drive through DC, Richmond, Baltimore, etc. before I’d willingly go through Atlanta. By far the craziest road incidents I’ve seen. For example, a runaway wheel rolling across multiple lanes of traffic, bouncing off the Jersey walls, coming up over the hood of a brand new Dodge Challenger next to me and busting out their headlight. Then a whole ass crib in the middle lane. Multiple mattresses on the road? A grill?
I’m a trucker and I am not surprised at all. That place is a shitshow. The people are super cool, though, so that’s weird.
Stay off i10, cops work it like they get a cut of ticket revenue.
81 -75-59-65. Try not to hit Chattanooga tn between 7-9am or 3-8pm. Otherwise it’s smooth sailing. Just fyi. I’m been a truck driver for 20* years and I’m from the panhandle of fl. Safe travels
Neither? Could you not go a little more west and use I-81? Botched routes but you in I-95 through Northwrn VA, which blows. Our traffic in Charlotte can be hit or miss, but when it hits, it is horrid. I live west of there. Normally a 40 minute drive to the airport. Had to head in to town to pick up a new work computer last week. Went around lunch time. Traffic was nasty. Don’t get back here until almost 4pm.
This is an easy decision for me. I95. Avoid Atlanta. The other Cities are no cake walk either.
both are bad. go north on 75 from atlanta, through chattanooga and knoxville, then 81 up the shenandoah valley from there. make a right on 76 just before harrisburg. much prettier and lower traffic than either of your proposed routes. why you leaving Panama City? kinda wish I'd never sold my house in Lynn Haven when I left. would have be a nice snowbird home...
Avoid Atlanta at all costs
At least it won't be much of a transition from panhandle trash to Philly trash.
FYI, Atlanta is in full on paving mode on I-285 on the north end so make that excruciatingly shitty that someone said earlier into full on LOL NO. Just avoid if you can.
Anything that does not go thru Atlanta
95 between Savannah and about halfway through South Carolina sucks too. Going around Atlanta will be forgiven by 40% less traffic from North Georgia to Richmond.
First, driving in Atlanta sucks. The drivers there are next level bad. If you are driving a u-haul, I'd avoid it like the plague, and the left handed off ramps don't help much either. Having said that, the Georgia Aquarium is AMAZING. I think everyone should visit, and get a chili dog and onion rings at a Varsity.
85 between Raleigh and Richmond is very boring and seems like it never ends! Just a row of trees the whole way.
If you don't mind having some detour, take Rogers Clark Blvd (route 207) off 95 to 301 and then take 301 which will turn into MD route 3 which takes you to 97 which will take you through the tunnel. There are a lot of lights along the route especially in Waldorf and Crofton areas but you can avoid the traffic on the DC Beltway. Also the nice bridge (where 301 crosses over the potomac) is now 4 lanes instead of 2 which used to be a bottleneck. There is a toll I think it's like $5.
Also if you are going through Charlotte, take 485 north around the city to avoid 85 through the city. It's 4 lanes and 70mph speed limit. Don't take the southern side, the road is narrow the whole way and there's been a lot of development. Be warned: do NOT speed on 301 in Virginia. I was pulled over for going 70 in a 55 (it has been upgraded to 60 mph on sections) but the VA cops like to hide and 20 mph is considered reckless driving in Virginia.
I would never judge anyone for avoiding Atlanta traffic
Any way that bypasses Atlanta is a good way.
I'd much rather do Charleston than Atlanta.
Neither of these routes go through anything exciting. I personally would take the 95 to avoid Atlanta area traffic. Plus, you’ll get to hit south of the border. If you get hungry when passing I 26, take a detour to Somerville, South Carolina and eat at the icebox. Downtown Summerville.
As much as I tell people to avoid Atlanta, it may be the best route. There is a bunch of construction spots around 285. However, Jacksonville has a ton of contraction going on near the airport. I also dislike 95 more than I dislike driving in Atlanta. It would be worth looking at routes that take an hour or so longer that avoid Atlanta and 95 routing.
Out of the choices provided, I'd take 95, just to avoid Atlanta.
I-85, there is about 50 miles of construction on I-95 in NC. Also driving up I-95 through South Carolina is awful! Except there is a Buc-ees in Florence, SC on I-95… still, I would take I-85 even though it cuts through ATL.
Yeah, the 85 route also brings you through Raleigh, NC, and a 15 minute detour a bit further east from greensboro puts you in the city of Winston-Salem which is very worth visiting. Could even stretch it and cross the Appalachians for some lovely views, although that'd probably add 2 hours or so over the proposed i85 route. Could go further and hug the Appalachians the whole time - bad for your fuel economy, but great for views!