Need Guidance on Road Trip to Glen Allen, VA 3/29-4/1

Just two points: radar detectors are not allowed in VA; 80 mph is considered reckless driving in VA. Not trying to throw cold water on your plans- just a forewarning. There are several threads on here in this section about this.

You will find I-95 thru DC terrible traffic; just expect delays if you hit near rush hour. I-95 from DC to Richmond/Glen Allen is 3 lanes all the way but traffic thins out once south of Fredericksburg. Richmond has lots of museums if you are into that sort of thing. To me, the more modern part of Richmond/Glen Allen is the Short Pump area. Lots of the main restaurants and a nice new shopping center. Roads are good in that area and traffic is reasonable. Lake Anna is north of the area and has lots of country roads in good shape.

Hope you and your son have a good trip.

 

I think it's best to avoid the Washington, DC area at any time.

To avoid DC entirely, the beltway (Route 495) can be the preferred route; however, the beltway at rush hour is usually a nightmare.

 

Lots of great driving roads in the area, here are a few drives I've mapped out:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1JinVa4UOMLaPUkXswoPR2nfzU5Q&usp=sharing

Here's some video of the drive that goes through GW park (western most loop, it's the farthest away):



Lots of breweries in the area if you're into that. Good restaurants are in Richmond proper and in Short Pump. My favorites are Edo's Squid (Italian), ZZQ (texas bbq), Kuba Kuba (Cuban), and Addis (Ethiopian) but there are tons of good restaurants of all kinds.

You'll be ok going through DC as long as you're not during rush hour or at the end of a holiday weekend. If you hit it then expect a 1-2 hour delay with no way around it. If you take 84 to 81 to 17, you'll skip DC completely and hit 95 in Fredericksburgh, which will be way faster if you're planning to go through DC during rush hour, but slower if you hit DC when it's clear.

 

This is the alternate I take to avoid DC since going south now is a nightmare almost anytime you go unless its overnight
https://goo.gl/maps/1WoVcuoswXC2

This route will take you thru Northern Va wine and horse country and is an easy drive that will only add an hour.

 

Consider taking 81 through Charlottesville, then come in via 64. I have been driving to central NH all my life from RVA. Avoiding 95/NY/NJ turnpike results in same travel time, but adds about 100 miles. Some great scenic drives around C’ville too - go see Monticello if you have time.

RVA is a bit of a foodie town which is a pleasant development since I was a kid (google will give you plenty to suit your taste). Short pump area is terrible for traffic and gross urban sprawl compared to the rest of the city. Go down into “the fan” for a better experience.

If you are going to Striker Park off Pouncey Tract- gravel parking lot is not terrible. 360 will have no trouble. Traffic out that way is okay, terrible for RVA, but not bad for most any other large urban area.

Edit: and I’m probably too late to help. Sorry!