Massanutten driving help from South NJ

[vlapinta]

We are leaving tomorrow and was wondering if anyone can recommend an alternate route from the NJ Shore area so we can avoid 95. Has anyone traveled through PA, and how was it going that way?
Thanks!
Vicki

[TimeshareTraveller]

I'm afraid that I haven't done alternate routes. We do 95 South. Your biggest hang-up is going to be the Baltimore/DC metro area. They've just opened the new bridge upgrade of {mumble}* bridge over the Potomac. That's wreaking havoc on traffic patterns as people who do that commute without thinking slow up and go "Whaaaat? Where am I supposed to be? Which lane? OH, THAT ONE OVER THERE."

I think that you may find that the alternate paths are going to be slower. Even with 95 traffic. But the alternate paths will be more scenic. And for passengers in the back seat, it can be curvy and nauseating too.

You could head out early and spend some time at the water park once you get in before the massanutten folk get your unit cleaned for check-in. If you're thinking of buying activity cards, the desk will sell them to you before you check into your unit (as long as they know that you are arriving that day). The activity cards get 50% off of the water park. 6 day passes with the activity card are $56 for adults.

--TimeshareTraveller

*{mumble} - I think it's the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, but really, I just don't remember the name. It's the one where 495 and 95 S meet at the southern end of DC.

[elaine]

then I-66 to pick up I-81 going towards harrisonburg. going north towards MD on I-95 instead of towards WW Bridge will save you mileage and might be less congested, esp. if NOT during rush hr.

I agree--stay on mian roads, or you will have some carsick kids!!

[IreneLF]

try the route from mapquest.com to harrisonburg - it breaks away from 95/695 around baltimore ( then taking a few roads, like 70 and 81 i think) and you may avoid some of the worst of the problems. we went this way very early on a saturday last year (to TN) and just flew. Plan to use it again when we head to mass. later this summer.

[ctreelmom]

Just a word of caution, or at least a suggestion to check with AAA -- in April we hit horrific delays due to construction on this route. I'm sorry but I can't remember if it was on 70 or 81 but we CRAWLED for over 2 hours as the road was down to one lane. I know this was several months ago, but we got the impression that it was a long-term construction project. Took 95 home and it was a breeze, comparatively. Defintely check with AAA or maybe a local news/traffic radio station?