The Merrimack River is the only river you’ll cross in this state that is of any value to anyone. Many smaller streams exist in this state, but nothing worthy to mention in this article.
On a good day, you could expect about a twenty to thirty-minute ride to go from the northeast side of the state to the southwest side at its exit point.
On your way through Connecticut, you’ll pass over the Mystic River (near Mystic, CT), Groton Reservoir and Thames River (near Groton, CT), Connecticut River (near Lyme, CT), Indian Lake, East River, Lake Saltonstall, Quinnipiac River, West River, Housatonic River (over the untolled Moses-Wheeler Bridge), and two connection points to Long Island Sound, over the Southport River (and Harbor), Saugatuck River, Norwalk River, Cos Cob Harbor and River, Indian Harbor and Byram River all in an attempt to get into New York State! Travels in this state could vary wildly in timing due to traffic.
Pass through exits devoted to Port Chester, Rye, Harrison and New Rochelle - all in Westchester County, as you make your way down the New England Thruway (owned by the New York State Thruway Authority’). Be very careful of exits 6A and 6B - as it’s a confusing interchange. It’ll intersect both I-278 and I-678 then appears to head on a more northwest run after heading due south with a new name as the Cross Bronx Expressway For those traveling northbound between exits 9 and 10[4] X Research source , it has one cashless toll in New Rochelle that costs $1. 75. [5] X Research source But as it crosses over Westchester Creek, it’ll pass into the Bronx where it will become the Cross Bronx and Bruckner Expressways. [6] X Research source Follow the Cross Bronx and Bruckner Expressways past where they encounter the toll-free Alexander Hamilton Bridge over the Harlem River. I-95 will become the Trans-Manhattan Expressway as it wanders around Manhattan - dodging in and out of tunnels in two levels - starting just after the Hamilton Bridge, which according to Google Maps, begins near the Hamilton Bridge Skate Park. [7] X Research source US-9 joins at two spots within the route (including at exit 1A) and leads you to the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey.
The George Washington Bridge is also the world’s busiest automobile bridge. [10] X Research source If you have an E-ZPass box registered to a New York-given address, you’ll see some discounts applied on your ride. [11] X Research source If you don’t, you’ll be paying for the full cost. Other bridges can lead you across the Hudson River, but they aren’t associated with I-95 and are located at different access points.
Take exit 6 towards the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as exit 6 is the only official turn-off that continues your path on I-95, passing through the city of Trenton (New Jersey’s capital). Exit 6 is about halfway through the state and spurs I-95 off from NJT about mid-way north through the state - towards and through Trenton - if people read maps.
Depending on traffic, this may take about 45-60 minutes to complete end-to-end.
Travel time on I-95 in Delaware depends on traffic, and although seasonal variations exist, this route could be done in about 30-45 minutes.
Get down and across the Susquehanna River via the tolled Millard E Tydings Memorial Bridge - bridging the gap between Aiken-Arrowhead Acres and (the French) Havre De Grace, Maryland. However, it’s toll is collected if you are traveling north on this bridge - via E-ZPass or other cashless tolling forms at the cost of about $8. [14] X Research source Learn the bridge and tunnel crossings’ makeup of Baltimore, Maryland. You’ll have to get across the Patapsco River in Baltimore, and I-95 is no exception. I-95 crosses you through the Fort McHenry Tunnel, but this tunnel can see very long lines because of it’s well-traveled nature. Tolls are collected going in both directions, and you can expect to pay $4 for a cash (pay-by-mail) toll. E-ZPass rates differ, depending on the state you started your account in (E-ZPass discount for Maryland-started accounts is $3, depending on vehicle type used). [15] X Research source There are other auxiliary interstate beltways in Baltimore - but you still have to cross other bridges or tunnels, including the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895) or the tolled Baltimore Beltway to the Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695). Tolls are set up at the same amounts, regardless of the crossing location, and these connections meet back up with I-95 south of Baltimore. [16] X Research source [17] X Research source [18] X Research source [19] X Research source Exit out of Baltimore and head towards Washington (DC), and it’s component “Capital Beltway. "
For those continuing on I-495, continue to reach back up to and across the Potomac River there, too, as the American Legion Memorial Bridge in the Beltway’s northwest corner. When traveling clockwise, legislators call the route traveling clockwise as the “Inner Loop” and those traveling counterclockwise the “Outer Loop. " [20] X Research source The Woodrow Wilson Bridge is the only bridge to span over three state lines - Maryland, District of Columbia (for . 11 miles), and Virginia. No direct exit comes into contact with the District of Columbia from I-95 and isn’t mentioned on signage. [21] X Research source There are ETA times on a digital board before the split. Two interstate spurs off of the Beltway head to downtown Washington including I-395 (more commonly used) and I-295.
Follow signs “towards Richmond” (Virginia’s capital). You will hit a common trouble spot in Woodbridge, as every day this stretch across he Occoquan may be backed up. Richmond was the Confederate capital and the munitions’ place for its military, which burned some of the towns during the US Civil War. [22] X Research source You’ll spot the Virginia state Capitol building in the distance (as you approach the city limits) as well as their Amtrak train station (on the northbound side of I-95). But when you reach the intersection of I-95 and I-295’s northern starting point, I-95 receives the name “Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike” - until I-95 and I-85 meet in the heart of Petersburg. I-295 springs outward from I-95 but doesn’t continue to bring you back onto I-95 the easy way - taking the long route around it and onto the I-95 just south of Petersburg. In your travels, you’ll pass over the Occoquan, South Anna, and James Rivers.
Head through Rocky Mount. North Carolina makes it a big deal that the first city you’ll have to pass through is Rocky Mount as you head south. You’ll pass through exits dealing with smaller cities, then all of a sudden be told you’ll be heading for Rocky Mount on I-95. Continue taking I-95 as it heads south towards Fayetteville. I-95 will head southeast (crossing over US-301 in Kenly), then heads southwest again. I-95’s route through Fayetteville is short and quick, lying to the east of the city’s center, and besides the auxiliary route (I-295) that gets you to Fort Bragg. Don’t worry about city traffic in Fayetteville. I-295 does not curve back around and end back at I-95!
Stop by “South of the Border” - an attraction all of its own in Hamer, SC. Displaying humungous signs seen from both sides of the Carolina border miles away, this place has become a popular stop for many. Its 200-foot high Sombrero Tower (sign)[24] X Research source and Mexican-styled mascot Pedro sign looking into the horizon from miles around, attracts many curious eyes to see what’s in store for them - including many places to take pictures. South of the Border is a great rest stop for southern flare. It includes the convention center, a popular restaurant, a Sunoco gas station, a truck stop with adequate restrooms, and even a motel. [25] X Research source , [26] X Research source [27] X Research source For $2 US per ride, you can take a ride up in a glass elevator to the observation deck of the Sombrero Tower to the nearby area to see for miles around. [28] X Research source Exits towards Florence - a southern belle city with ties to the Civil War - come up quickly. Take I-95 across the untolled Francis Marion Bridge - bridging across Lake Marion between Santee and Addams Landing. Don’t worry too much about the name change between Ridgeland and Hardeeville exits - as I-95 renames itself as the Jasper Highway. Continue the path towards the state line. It’s almost a straight shot heading southwest.
As you enter, expect immediate exits for Savannah. However, when you come in, you’ll find yourself just to Savannah’s west. After Savannah, I-95 will turn southeast and begin a southeast route. You’ll pass by many Georgian shoreline islands and towns, including Osssabow, St Catherine’s, Sapelo, Little St Simons, Sea, Jekyll, Cumberland, and St Mary’s Islands - all with a southern flair. If you pull off your route, you may hear people talking about the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. However, although it doesn’t pass directly on your route through this state, you’ll be dodging a bullet with what people talk about.
Pass through North Florida. Just after coming into the state, you’ll pass small exits, then all of a sudden pass into the eastern side of Jacksonville - passing the Jacksonville Zoo, then heading right for downtown as it makes a turn and heads a little to the west of Jacksonville. You’ll pass over the St John’s River on the Fuller Warren Bridge, but continue on I-95 past Nocatee and begin making the straight run down the coast of Florida. You’ll pass St. Augustine a few exits later and notice its aquarium nearby. Ponce De Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and the Marcos National Monument are all a little bit further than the eye can see from I-95 directly, but not impossible if you exit out into the St Augustine streets. Head down towards Palm Coast and the many towns of Central Florida, as you prepare for I-95 and I-4 to weave and intersect as it gets closer to Daytona Beach’s Speedway and International Airport - keeping you far away from the Atlantic Ocean. Then this highway intersects I-4. You’ll pass New Smyrna Beach and Titusville. Then as you come into Manatee at the FL-528 exit, speed will slow to a buffer zone, as you’ll notice Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center in the distance, then continue and pass exits for Melbourne and Palm Bay. Have some fun traveling along with the oceanside cities of South Florida. Starting at Vero Beach, take I-95 south towards Miami. You’ll come upon such cities as Port St. Lucie and Jupiter (spring training homes of the Mets and Cardinals), Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach, Lake Worth and Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, then onto Fort Lauderdale (spring training home of the Orioles), Hollywood (Florida) then onto Hialeah and Miami (with Miami Beach coming to its east on its own island).
Continue further into Key West’s southwestern-most corner, and you’ll reach the border marker marking the southernmost point in the continental United States - where it’s only 90 miles to Cuba.
