Randomly we make some runs through the New York City-Washington D.C. Corridor to get from southern VT to Georgia. According to Mapquest straight through NYC is the fastest route, however with traffic I question it. We generally try to hit northbound NYC at Midnight Saturday night and seems to work, however the older I get the less I like going through Connecticut at 2 am. I have gone around on I-81 but that seems to add a connsiderable amount of time.
What are you driving? Car?
Google maps is my go to for driving directions, and it seems now that they always send me shortest distance, no matter what. A couple weeks ago going through st. Louis, I always take the south route around town, it's probably 3-4 miles further, but Google says right through downtown. Downtown is always a mess, road is full of potholes and traffic is bad. So I just go ahead and drive on around. I think Google is trying to save fuel for the planet and have changed their algorithm for quickest/vs shortest.
I was in New Hampshire driving home following Googles directions at one point it said to take a left off a state highway then it had me take a few turns in about 20mins, 10-15 miles later It had me take a left onto the same highway, same place as I turned earlier. That wasn't the first time it happened or the last. I dont know why.
I 81 to I 77 to I 95 is usually my choice and is about half an hour longer time wise according to Google maps depending on start/end locations. However, if there's a bad accident anywhere in PA, MD, WV, or VA that half hour longer can easily stretch into several hours longer. I prefer driving those areas in the late night or early morning hours due to traffic. The best trick I know of to avoid east cost traffic is to drive from VT to somewhere in the Midwest then go to GA from there...
That is the run I made in February trying to keep away from the big storm that ran up the coast to NY and Boston. It has less traffic but swings further west than I would like to be. I need to run up to Richmond on 95, but before DC try to connect to 81, the goal being I 84 in NY.
Just north of richmond catch 522 over to 81
Its not a bad drive I cant remember the exit off 95 but theres a few other routes you have to cat from 95 to 522 when you near richmond punch winchester va in and youll find your way
Looks like maybe: Option A I-495 in DC, to I-270 to route 15 to I-81 Option B I-495 to Leesburg turnpike maybe to 15 to I-81