Interstate 95 After a Blizzard

December 19, 2009 8:32 AM

What is the earliest best day to travel Interstate 95 from New Haven, CT to SC after blizzard?

So, yeah, we were supposed to be in southern NJ by now en route to SC. Bagged that due to blizzard conditions along our exact route. Those of you who live along 95 and are familiar with the aftermath and clean-up of snowstorms, when should we set out? Tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday, or later? We want to arrive by Christmas Eve, if possible, but only if conditions are clear and safe. (We had originally planned to do the trip over two days, with an overnight in Fredricksburg, VA. Is that even feasible after a cleanup?) Any advice--best internet weather sites to keep checking? Local Mefi advice is more appreciated since we don't know how well the interstate gets cleaned up after huge winter storms in NJ, PA, MD, NC.

posted by Elsie to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

Weather channel says it'll be high 30s on Monday and Tuesday, so the snow should melt. Also, the road crews will have had plenty of time to clean up. I'd aim to be on the road then.
posted by decathecting at 8:36 AM on December 19, 2009

Interstates, particularly out East, generally receive first and best attention from snow removal crews. Unless it is actively snowing, you can expect the roads to be cleared within a few hours after it stops.
posted by valkyryn at 9:01 AM on December 19, 2009

Friends of mine who are driving the exact reverse route of yours (SC to Hew Haven) delayed their trip and are leaving tomorrow instead of today. They are quite familiar with the route up 95 in similar conditions and feel confident that the roads will be OK by then. Still, I suggested they wait until Monday to avoid all the others who have the same idea.....

I find the forecast models on wunderground.com to be as accurate as forecasts can be.
posted by ourroute at 9:13 AM on December 19, 2009

Yeah, I'd say Monday. It is supposed to snow all night tonight and into the well day tomorrow here (in New Haven), but they do get 95 clear before pretty much anything else, so I think by Monday morning you should be good to go. I'd either leave well before it gets light, just after 9am or late in the evening to avoid hitting rush hour around NYC.

The CT DOT site has a lot of traffic cam feeds that you can use to check conditions before you leave. I'd also check google maps or some other source for traffic.
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 9:53 AM on December 19, 2009

I have a friend who was travelling from central NJ to NC and decided to leave yesterday. He's stuck somewhere in VA and said that it's looking bad. There are a lot of people in the same position so that will most likely exacerbate the delays. If I were you I wouldn't leave until Monday. The storm is moving north and it looks like there might be a lot on the way between now and sometime tomorrow. I would expect that roads will be cleared for the workday on Monday.
posted by ob at 10:08 AM on December 19, 2009

Monday the latest. If it stops overnight tonight, then I would be on the road Sunday afternoon.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:17 AM on December 19, 2009

I'm in Fredericksburg, the snow is starting to taper off now. Of course, we have over a foot on the ground. Tomorrow could still be rather sloppy as 95 north of here is still getting hit hard. I think if you leave Monday you should have a decent trip. Assuming you stop at exit 130 where all the hotels are wave to the west. We are about two miles off the exit :) Have a safe trip.
posted by COD at 11:19 AM on December 19, 2009

I agree with the recommendations of leaving Monday, or Sunday afternoon if the snow has stopped by then. If you're on major highways, you'll probably do fine if you just drive carefully. However, I would also keep the following in mind: 1) This snowstorm is accompanied by high winds, and the snow is light and powdery. Even after a road is plowed, the snow could blow right back onto it. 2) If it's above freezing during the day, the snow will melt and cover the roads with water. Then at night when the temperature drops, those wet roads will freeze into a layer of ice. Major highways will probably be treated with salt and brine, making this less of an issue, but side streets can definitely turn into a sheet of ice when the temperature drops.
posted by LolaGeek at 1:23 PM on December 19, 2009

After the snow stops falling states' first priorities will be removing snow on I-95, as it is a major artery for interstate commerce on the East Coast, and, as well, for emergency vehicles. So you should be set leaving Monday.
posted by dfriedman at 3:00 PM on December 19, 2009