Originally Posted by
whlinder
123 to the Fairfax County parkway to 66 to 28 to get to/from IAD from the south can be faster. It is often the recommended route driving from western suburbs to get south on 95. It is... not scenic.
On closer reading I see the suggestion was to pick up 123 "north of Fredericksburg" and not "at" Fredericksburg. Yes, definitely, unless there is a serious traffic, using 123 to get to IAD makes way more sense than continuing up 95 and going around 495 to 50/66/267 to get to IAD.
If following the suggestion to hit Norfolk, then taking 17N from Newport News is a much nicer ride than I-64 to 95 - and goes past a few very nice antebellum mansions for an optional quick tour.