Posting a Good I-95 Route Around DC

[chris199]

Thought I'd post this in the navigation section for reference....

We live in a distant Philly suburb and going south via the "eastern route" (via I-95) is always a challenge and something I try to avoid vs the western route (I-78 and I-81 and I-77). Allows us to miss the Baltimore tunnels and the mess in DC.

Heading south toward Baltimore on I-95, take I-695 East over the Frances Scott Key Bridge. This allows us to avoid the Ft McHenry tunnel on I-95 and the Harbor tunnel on I-895. Once over the bridge, continue on I-695 to MD Rt 3. Then jump on I-97 South. Follow until Rt 301 South. Follow Rt 301 S to I-95 just north of Richmond. Jump on I-95 and continue south. There are traffic lights in a couple of commercial areas on MD 3 and Rt 301 but it's not bad at all. For the most part it is 2 lane 45 to 55 mph....country road driving.

Follow in reverse heading north around DC and the Baltimore tunnels. From I-95 just north of Richmond, go N on Rt 301 to MD RT 3 to I-97 N to I-695 E to I-95.


FYI...north of Baltimore on I-95, there are 2 Flying J's. They are within just a few miles of one another. The southernmost Flying J has 2 RV lanes. The one slightly further north has none. The latter northern FJ is a pure Truck stop. Not easy to get in/out. Odd exit especially and both long entrance and exit are like driving on the moon...pothole mess.

[washley1]

I know that route well. Our son used to leve on the Eastern Shore, and we took it all the time to ease past DC. Not a bad route at all!

You could also bypass Baltimore by staying on 301 through Annapolis and on up into the Wilmington area before jumping back on 95.

[egregg57]

We have used that route too when heading to Williamsburg. We have driven it (perhaps it was the time of day) and there was literally no one on 695. Nice drive, definitely a decompressing after some stretches on 95!

[1retired06]

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