Best driving route to BGE?

[Movieguy]

This summer, we're thinking about going on vacation somewhere, and one of the places that came up was Busch Gardens Europe. We were there once before, three years ago, and we all loved it. What wasn't so lovable, however, was the drive down. The traffic around much of Maryland and Washington on the way to Williamsburg was absolutely horrendous. I believe we were on I-95, though I don't remember 100% since it was my late father who did most of the driving. Anyway, it's exactly the reason why I have not been back down there for three years now.

 

So, I decided to ask anyone here who may know this area better than we do...Are there any possible alternate routes for people trying to get to Williamsburg that aren't quite as congested? I'd appreciate any information anyone may have, thank you.

 

[pianojohn]

Unfortunately, I-95 is the most direct route there. My best advice would be to do the 295/495 corridor around Washington DC during an off hour to avoid the horrendous traffic and tie-ups.

 

I would say anytime after 10am but before 3pm should be ok since all the crazy drivers will "hopefully" be at work by then.

 

Whatever you do, do NOT attempt to drive around this area on a Sunday from 5pm until late. It seems everyone in the world is heading back home to DC and I always got stuck in traffic then.

 

I took the Amtrak train from NYC to Williamsburg a few times, and it was not too bad. Of course, you would need a rental car since the Amtrak station is nowhere near the park, and Williamsburg is not a city that you can walk or take a bus around.

 

Best of luck!

[mpress]

You could get there by driving through PA, then through my home state of DE. You can follow I-81 south to I-476 south, then from I-476 get on 95 south. Then get off at the route 1 south exit in Delaware, follow route 1 south until it splits. At the split take ALT 13 instead of Route 1, and ALT 13 takes you right to Virginia beach. I think williamsburg is about 35-40 min. from Virigina beach. I don't know if that'll save you any time, but at least you won't be stuck in any horrendous traffic.

 

-Mike

[cfc]

You could come down the Delmarva Penninsula and cross over on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel near Virginia Beach--but that's a long haul (I've done it before). The peninsula is kind of a pretty drive, though.

 

Going through DC on a Saturday usually isn't too bad (not sure when you're coming down).

 

EDIT: Getting through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel can be pretty dicey in the summer, but not as bad as DC (usually). The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is an expensive toll (more than ten bucks as I recall).

[Rugged One]

Like others have said, if you can, just take 95 during off hours. Preferably during the nighttime.

 

Another option we use when having to grab 95 during a time when traffic would be bad, would be coming down 15 South through PA, MD, and VA. Coming from Ithaca, you may take 15 S anyway. We used this many times and rarely got stuck in any sort of bad traffic. It spits you out onto 95 at Fredericksburg, VA, avoiding the Baltimore/Washington/Nor Va traffic.

 

It's actually a pretty nice drive too, especially through the VA countryside. Not sure how much time it would add onto your drive but just for a reference, from the Harrisburg, PA area, it takes about 3 hours to get to Fredericksburg. The drive can be a little tricky in some places but if your interested, shoot me a PM and I'll hook you up with directions.

[cfc]

You could take I-81 from Pennsylvania into Virginia and pick up I-64 in Staunton, I think (about three hours or so to Williamsburg from that point). Less traffic than DC, but a longer haul.