which way to go/where to stop on Fri. fr/Williamsburg to NY?

(posted this on DC, VA and here. just read post about 301 from Annapolis and now thinking that may be bad idea on Friday too?

any help is appreciated.)

We%26#39;re heading home from Williamsburg to NYC on a Friday and want to stopover for a night along the way to break up the drive back. Hoping to leave at noon but are afraid of awful traffic going towards DC (or is it only bad coming out of DC?). We%26#39;re tempted to go see Virginia Beach/Chincoteague but that also seems like a bad idea trafficwise.

Can anyone suggest an alternate route/idea for a stop? Hwy 301 to Annapolis? Or a nice area off 95 that%26#39;s south of DC before traffic jams? If we skip our AM plans and leave earlier, then would we avoid bad traffic if we got to DC by 2pm?

It would be nice to stop somewhere interesting but not absolutely necessary. We just don%26#39;t want to spend too much more after a week of vacation and need to get home by Saturday night. Thanks again for all help. We would be lost without Tripadvisor!

which way to go/where to stop on Fri. fr/Williamsburg to NY?

Well leaving from Williamsburg on a Friday at noon will get you to the Maryland/VA sections of 95 outside of DC around 2:30 pm. No traffic, only the construction crews cleaning up their mess.

However if you did want to take 301, I wouldn%26#39;t pick that up until you get to Caramel Church Road where it says last exit for 301or just after Kings Dominion or the Henry Nice Bridge. That would be nothing but smooth sailing coming from that direction. You will hit a few lights and then a lot of lights once you get into Waldorf, MD. Oh and you have to cross a 2 lane bridge that isn%26#39;t divided just as you cross over into Maryland from Virginia.

Now since you are headed to NY. You will end up running into some traffic in Baltimore and points further North because of the time of Day. So if you did want to stop the night, you could stop in Baltimore maybe and head out early Saturday morning and then make it to NY in 3 hours. That would be a better idea.

which way to go/where to stop on Fri. fr/Williamsburg to NY?

Thanks MrsMaryland for your advice. So if we head for Baltimore for the night then, which way should we go? 95 thru dc? or 301?

Do you recommend Baltimore vs Annapolis for this stopover?

Coming from Williamsburg on a Friday afternoon, you could go either way.

If you want a more small town, lights, then a big shopping district and lights then go 301. If you just want to get there take 95. And I find during those hours that it is faster taking the BW Parkway into Baltimore. Much faster IMO. You would pick the Parkway up on 95 just after Rt. 450

Baltimore vs. Annapolis hmmmmmmm If you stay on the Inner Harbor I would go with Baltimore. And then head out at 95 which is right there so you won%26#39;t have to travel too far off. Nothing wrong with Annapolis but for one night with kids, I think they would like the atmosphere of the Inner Harbor. (If you have kids)

Hope this helps.

Yes, 2 kids. Baltimore sounds like a good idea. Thanks very much for your help!