Dewey Beach / Bay Bridge Toll Shortcuts
As you start to approach the Bay Bridge on Route 50, traffic will back up for several miles at the toll if you're traveling at a peak time. This can tack an extra half hour onto your trip if you hit this wrong. Using this shortcut should be able to get you past most of this toll-paying traffic.
- Take exit 29A off of route 50
- Proceed straight to St. Margarets and turn left
- At the traffic light, take a right onto College Pkwy
- At the next traffic light, take a right onto College Pkwy E
- Ignore those pesky signs about "Local Access Only, No Bay Bridge Traffic" :-) Follow this road for several miles, paralell to route 50 until you see signs for getting back onto 50 East. This will dump you at the last exit before the toll.
The Northern Route
(blatantly copied from the folks at overthebaybridge.com - thanks!)
(aka the Llama Route, the 12-Step Program or "Porn and Corn")
Veterans swear this is the only way to go. It's tricky, but you can make it in 2 hours.
A few caveats: On weekday mornings, you run the risk of getting stuck behind a school bus that you cannot pass. These directions are tricky to follow in the reverse. We do not recommend taking this route alone, especially at night, until you get used to it. Please exercise good judgement.
- Take Route 50 over the Bay Bridge
- Take Route 301 when it splits from Route 50
- About 8.5 miles past the split, take a right onto Route 304
This is about 60 miles out of DC and about 70 miles from the beach. You will be on two lane roads for about 35 miles. The truck stop on the corner has clean bathrooms, the last ones before Felton. You will lose cellular service about halfway down this road.
- After about 9 miles, take a left onto Route 312
- After about 2.5 miles, take a right onto Route 313
This is roughly the halfway point. You will pass the Llama farm on this road. It's pretty cool.
- Follow the signs for Route 287 at Goldsboro
- Route 287 becomes Route 10 at the state line
- Take a right at Martin's Auto Parts onto Road 56, Sandtown Road
(1 mile from the state line)
There is a liquor store on the left about 100 yards before the turn. This is your only chance for beer until you hit Rt. 1. It is open until 10. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE! There is no bathroom at the liquor store, and the Mobile station only has a portolet.
- Follow Sandtown Road all the way to the end, where it intersects with Route 12 (6.3 miles), then take a left
You should be able to use your cell phone again about halfway.
- Go through the town of Felton.
Watch the speed traps. The Texaco at the Main traffic light has clean bathrooms. The other filling station will not let you use their bathroom. Don't give them your business.
- Continue on to Frederica (another speed trap) until Route 12 merges with Route 1,
then take a right (about 9 miles).
- After about 30 miles, Route 1 will take you right into Dewey Beach
Traffic will get bad when Rt. 16 intersects, and even worse when Rt. 404/9 intersects, but you still made great time! Have a fun and safe weekend!