Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
It's a beautiful drive through VA and while heavily truck trafficked which can be a little white-knuckled in places due to just two travel lanes, it beats I-95 every time for lack of potential slowdowns or overall craziness.
The difference between using I-95 is minutes a few minutes longer under normal conditions than the I-81 option, something again I-95 isn't known for.
Just did 81/77 back in Oct, there is more traffic then when I started taking this route years ago.
You have potential for slowdowns in Roanoke area, and Charlotte is no picnic but I'd still take it over I95 especially in No Va
We've done both the I-95 straight up and the I-81 routes. We were driving from Northern VA, closer to Reston. To us, it's a hit or miss for both, what time of year (summer = constructions all over I-95), what time of day (Silver Spring area on the beltway was where we always got stuck, unless you pass through at 8pm or later, for no other reason than sheer traffic volume).
The last drive on I-95, we left pretty late so we just drove it straight up with no overnight stop.
The auto train option from Lorton to Orlando might be a good idea if you can find a decent fare (which you need to do far in advance). The last I checked it was close to $900 with your auto. It's crazy to charge so much more than flying!
These type of questions are an anachronism of a former time.
Dude, just use google maps. It will tell you the quickest route on the fly, considers traffic, construction, accidents, etc.
These type of questions are an anachronism of a former time.
Dude, just use google maps. It will tell you the quickest route on the fly, considers traffic, construction, accidents, etc.
Dude, there are some very helpful and informative comments here.
Peripheral comments by those who have traveled this path are useful in formulating travel plans.
The "quickest" route is not always the best route.
When one route is 17 hours and 43 minutes but includes traveling with mega-triple trailer trucks over pothole ladened old roads and the alternative route is 17 hours and 45 minutes but passes through some of the prettiest scenery in the US, that's a decision that should consider all factors.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,690 posts, read 57,994,855 times
Reputation: 46166
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnesthesiaMD
As a kid, I did this trip many times with my parents. It was definitely better than driving. They even had entertainment for the kids in the bar car.
MUCH shorter 'drive' than a road trip.
Drive to the terminal
Load up,
rest while train travels
Unload.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Dulles isn't too far from you! 2 1/2 hours or so after boarding and your there, rent car and go to destination.
