Columbia MD to Dover Downs, directions?

I got Yahoo directions, and also the directions offered on the Dover Downs website, which seem much simpler:

Take I-95 North to exit 4A.

Take US 1 to Exit 104.

Turn left at the light onto US 13 South (N. DuPont Hwy.).

Dover Downs Hotel %26amp; Casino is located approximately two miles further on the left.

Will that ge me there easily or should I follow the more complex Yahoo directions, which involve the Annapolis Bay Bridge, hwy 300 and 42? Or is the bridge unmentioned but included in the Dover Downs directions?

I%26#39;ll be going next Sunday.

Columbia MD to Dover Downs, directions?

The directions on the Dover Downs website gives you two choices--either via I-95 or via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The directions you posted are using I-95.

**WITH NO TRAFFIC AT ALL**, from Columbia to Dover:

94 miles, 2 hours via the Bay Bridge

122 miles, 2 hours 20 mins via the I-95 route above.

For your trip to the slots, I%26#39;d definitely take the Bay Bridge route; eastbound traffic will be light, and you%26#39;ll face lower tolls.

But for your return trip to Columbia on a Sunday afternoon, returning beach traffic will be the great equalizer. The I-95 route will likely take 2:20 throughout the day, the Bay Bridge route will likely approach 3+ hours back home the later in the day you return.

Columbia MD to Dover Downs, directions?

Thanks yet again, Tubman! That%26#39;s excellent info.

I shall print both sets of directions.

Judy

Marina Mama,

I think you%26#39;ll be very happy with your decision to go to Dover Downs next Sunday. (Actually Dover Downs is much nicer than Harrington ANY day!) I stopped at DD on a Sunday a couple weeks ago, and was amazed at how many machines were available. For all denominations, even pennies, there were plenty of choices. And if you%26#39;re penny slots players, check out the area on the 4th floor, which seems to be undiscovered. I%26#39;ve never seen more than 5% of those machines in use. There%26#39;s an elevator, so it%26#39;s completely accessible.

I enthusiastically recommend the Garden Cafe for a nice casual meal, and Michele%26#39;s for a gourmet (and pricey) meal.

FWIW, my sister in Towson *always* uses the I-95 to DE 1 route (passing thru Dover) to the beach, never the Bay Bridge. I think you%26#39;ll find the 1 / 95 route also has heavy traffic on a Sunday afternoon, but probably nowhere near as slow as the Bay Bridge route.

Win BIG!

Wythany, you read my mind about a place to eat!

I am so glad to hear that DD is a nice place and thanks for the tip about the fourth floor.

So I%26#39;ll take the I-95 route both ways?

This will be an adventure!

Judy

';So I%26#39;ll take the I-95 route both ways?';

Know that wythany%26#39;s sister%26#39;s starting point is north of Baltimore, about 1/2 hour north of Columbia. From Towson it absolutely makes sense to take I-95 both ways--and that%26#39;s how Mapquest et al will send you from there to Dover.

But starting from Columbia (southern suburbs), you will want to take the Bay Bridge route as Mapquest suggests on a Sunday when you%26#39;re going against traffic. Coming back is when you want to consider 1/95, depending on the time of day and traffic conditions on the bridge route.

Thanks, Tubman!

I can only predict that I will return between 3 and 4 p.m.

Can I know how the traffic is on the bay bridge? Or do I just presume it%26#39;ll be slower than the 95 at that time?

Thanks again for all your help.

Judy

They have a phone # to call with traffic reports on the bridge and roads leading up to it, but I%26#39;ve never used it (satellite radio gives good reports). 1-877-BAYSPAN. And the bridge has its own website with useful info, http://www.baybridge.com

We might go to DD on Monday instead of Sunday, thereby missing most of the beach traffic.

How bad is afternoon rush hour on the Bay Bridge route?

Should we avoid returning until 6 p.m. or later?

Judy

';How bad is afternoon rush hour on the Bay Bridge route?';

You%26#39;re going against the normal flow of commuters--primarily residents east of the Bridge who use it to get to work in Baltimore, Washington %26amp; Annapolis areas in the morning--so you shouldn%26#39;t have a problem heading westbound in the afternoon.

So then, take the bay bridge route both ways.

Thank you, Tubman. This is the first time I%26#39;ve used a tripadvisor forum and I am thrilled with the results!

I%26#39;ve used the hotel reviews extensively and have posted some also. I%26#39;ve also used the Fodor forum extensively and have found it very helpful. I chose my Rome and Florence hotels for my last vacation based on replies to my queries, and got a recommendation for a booking service that put an expensive Rome hotel in my price range.

You have been most helpful and I am grateful.

Judy