Direction advise please

[Firinne]

Hello guys, could use some advise on directions! I'm sure you guys have been asked this once or twice, I did a search and didn't find anything matching my location. My family and I are heading down to the Avon area for vacation the last week of August and this is what Map Quest recommends; from Philly area take I-95 south to De-1 S to US 13 S. It says US 13 becomes Charles M Lankord hwythan back to 13 S again. Get off at i-64 and merge onto I464 MLK jr. Hwy. From there take US 168 S which becomes US158E. Turn left onto NC-12S and Right onto Harbor Rd.
7.5 hrs. and 388 miles from suburban Phila.
We would be leaving on a Saturday and this route seems to be the most straight line but I'm not so sure if these roads are single lane traffic lite roads. I always thought it was faster to just stay on I95 south and then head east. Any recommendations would surely be appreciated, thanks in advance...........Bob_E

[Steve in Mass]

Bob....while the directions and the names of the roads are a little convoluted, they are spot on.

Basically get into Delaware, take Route 1 (toll road) past Dover, then get on 13 thru the rest of Delaware, Maryland, and the eastern shore of Virginia. Over the Cheaspeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, to 64 to 168 into NC.

Most of it is 2 or 3 lane 55-60+ MPH (except a couple places on 13 in Delaware, Maryland, and Va on 13, but that is only short times, but BE CAREFUL when the limit drops to 45 or THEY WILL GET YOU) until you get onto 12 in Kitty Hawk....then you got lights for about 15 miles until you get to Hatteras Island.

Have done it for 20 years, and while I never went to or from Philly, I am guessing the 7.5-8 hours is about right. You DON'T wanna deal with the 95 traffic in the Baltimore and Washington area, and the other route is a much nicer ride, scenary wise, anyway.

[kw]

Don't speed in Currituck County. When I commuted from KDH back in the mid/late '90's, by late 1998, I had 11 points on my license. lmost all from Currituck County's finest.

[jellybear]

Thats where all NC Rookie Hiway Patrol Men do their internship at

[John M]

thats how ya wanna go bob. down Rt 13.....If you go 95 youre going throuhg DC (always a mess) and balitmore.......

I can go from bucks county to buxton (1 town south of Avon) in less than 8 hours no sweat most of the year, but on a saturday this time of year you will have heavy heavy in and out traffic to contend with.

have a good time if ya want some recommendations drop me a note.

[Scorpio]

Originally Posted by Steve in Mass

Bob....while the directions and the names of the roads are a little convoluted, they are spot on.

Basically get into Delaware, take Route 1 (toll road) past Dover, then get on 13 thru the rest of Delaware, Maryland, and the eastern shore of Virginia. Over the Cheaspeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, to 64 to 168 into NC.

Most of it is 2 or 3 lane 55-60+ MPH (except a couple places on 13 in Delaware, Maryland, and Va on 13, but that is only short times, but BE CAREFUL when the limit drops to 45 or THEY WILL GET YOU) until you get onto 12 in Kitty Hawk....then you got lights for about 15 miles until you get to Hatteras Island.

Have done it for 20 years, and while I never went to or from Philly, I am guessing the 7.5-8 hours is about right. You DON'T wanna deal with the 95 traffic in the Baltimore and Washington area, and the other route is a much nicer ride, scenary wise, anyway.

Much nicer ride and your family will enjoy it much more. Did both many times. Take a few cheese steaks with ya. Use the clean nuke's ya find along the way. Take some Amoroso Roll's with you so you can introduce a philly style Real hoagie to friends you all will meet at your destination. Don't forget that delicious spiced up olive oil and take a few real soft pretzels as philly gifts. You'll be surprised! And last? ....Have a great trip!

[Firinne]

Thanks again guys for the quick responses. Any favorite places to stop and get a quick bite to eat? I like to leave around 3-4 am and get at least into Virginia before the 1st stop. Not quite sure if the rest of our group can last that long but that is my plan.

[Dave588]

I make better time staying on 95 and taking 460. 13 slowed us up bad.

[Steve in Mass]

Originally Posted by Dave588

I make better time staying on 95 and taking 460. 13 slowed us up bad.

Sometimes the journey is as important as the destination......

[Dave588]

Not in my case. 13-14 hours and $4 a Gal. Get across the WM Bridge and then slow down to enjoy the scenery.

[Tall Paul]

Althought, I live farther south (AB/MHC), The wife and I make the trip about once every other month to go visit her family just north of philly. Have gone both ways, going up and down the coast, has always been faster, less miles, more enjoyable. When you get to Avon stop in at Frank & Frans and get the latest scoop on fishing and tell him Tall Paul said "Hey". Funny thing, I get up to Philly all the time but can't seem to get up to see friends in over two years. Anyway Have a great time on the Outer Banks

[Steve in Mass]

Originally Posted by Dave588

Not in my case. 13-14 hours and $4 a Gal. Get across the WM Bridge and then slow down to enjoy the scenery.

Well, while I can understand that, in reality, it takes us ~14 hours to make the trip (750 miles one way), and we stop often (and yes, we are close to your area). As to gas, we averaged 25 MPG over the entire trip, and that is as good or better than we get regularly on the interstates.......

But to each their own......

[Dave588]

We own our home in NC and make regular trips. Done it both ways and much prefer 95 to 460. Stay away from a lot of weekend traffic, stop and go plus skip the whole 13, 64 Va Beach mess connecting right into 168.
You may still get decent mileage with the stop and go. I personally prefer to keep moving. 460 has always saved me gas, time and aggravation.

[Plug]

Instead of taking DE Rte. 1 to 13 stay on Rte. 1 to 113 thru Milford/Georgetown/Selbyville/Berlin etc. Fewer red lights and more scenic. It will merge back into 13 at Pocomoke City MD.

Rte. 1 limited access highway will merge into 1/113 just south of Dover. About 18 more miles south 113 will split off of 1 on the north side of Milford.

Now here's a better tip.

Take 1 to the south side of Milford. Then get on Rte 30 and take 30 down to Millsboro. At Millsboro 30 will T into 24. Make a right onto 24 and it will take you thru Millsboro and dump you onto 113.

Taking 30 eliminates about 15 traffic lights.

One "look out for" on 30. About 8 miles south of Milford 30 will bear right and another road goes straight into Milton. There's a 7 bay brick garage on that corner, just bear right at the garage to stay on 30.

BTW, 3/4 mile south of the garage the field on your left will end and you'll see a clay rancher (well at least it's roof with the corn in the field) up in the woods. Honk when you go by, I live there.

[Plug]

Originally Posted by Dave588

You may still get decent mileage with the stop and go. I personally prefer to keep moving. 460 has always saved me gas, time and aggravation.

And you do that thru the Balto./DC corridor? That little bit of traffic thru VA Beach ain't nothing compared to that.