Delaware Driving: I-95, Farm Roads and Beach Towns in a Small State

Wilmington is the state's business center, and many Delaware drivers use I-95 and I-495 to reach jobs in Philadelphia, Chester County or Wilmington's own banking and chemical sectors. Traffic backs up near the Delaware Memorial Bridge approaches and at the Pennsylvania line, so a calm cabin and good fuel economy go a long way.

The Jeep Cherokee hybrid is a sensible commuter. Jeep estimates up to 39 mpg in the city and 37 combined, with over 500 miles per tank, and it needs no plug. If you want a lower entry price, the Compass starts at $29,990 MSRP before destination and is rated at 21 city and 29 highway mpg.

If you carpool or have a family, the Chrysler Voyager lists seating for seven and a highway range of up to 532 miles by Chrysler's estimate. Starting MSRP is $41,395 before destination, and prices change.

The Dodge Charger fits the driver who wants something with more personality for the I-95 drive. The R/T is rated 17 city and 26 highway mpg, with a starting MSRP of $49,995 before destination.

Check DelDOT for current construction and the Delaware River and Bay Authority for bridge information, since lane closures are common on this corridor.

South of the canal, Delaware turns agricultural. Kent and Sussex counties are known for poultry houses, grain and produce, and the roads are straight, flat two-lane highways with farm equipment and delivery trucks sharing the shoulder. Dover also has an Air Force base and a state government payroll that shape local demand.

Trucks are the default here. The Ram 1500 handles daily use and trailer work, with towing up to 11,530 pounds and payload up to 2,340 pounds. Starting MSRP is $42,575 before destination. For feed, equipment or livestock trailers, the Ram 2500 lists up to 20,000 pounds of towing and 4,580 pounds of payload, with a starting MSRP of $48,040.

The Gladiator is a lighter pickup with a 60.3-inch bed and up to 7,700 pounds of towing, a decent option if the truck doubles as a weekend vehicle.

For delivery and service businesses, the ProMaster lists payload up to 4,750 pounds and up to 524 cubic feet of cargo space, a better fit for packages and parts than a pickup bed.

Expect heavy fog on farmland mornings and standing water on low roads after storms. Check DelDOT for road closures and the Delaware Department of Agriculture for farm vehicle guidance.

Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Bethany pull in a flood of visitors from Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Route 1 backs up, parking in town fills before noon and small streets near the boardwalk make anything big a headache.

The Compass is a good town vehicle, at 173.4 inches long and 73.8 inches wide with mirrors folded. Its 59.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded takes chairs, coolers and umbrellas. For a larger group, the Pacifica offers up to 140.5 cubic feet and seating for seven or eight.

A Wrangler is the classic beach-town convertible. The two-door has a 32.7-foot turning diameter, which is helpful for small lots. It starts at $36,635 MSRP before destination.

Vehicle access to sand is controlled by the state and individual towns, and permits or closures can apply at certain beaches and seasons. Contact the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, or the relevant park, before taking a vehicle onto sand.

If you own a rental house, check where guests will park. A narrow driveway can decide whether a three-row SUV or a compact makes more sense for your own use.

Delaware is only about 96 miles long, so most daily drives are short. That changes the buying math. A vehicle with a huge fuel tank or high highway range matters less than one that is pleasant in stop-and-go and cheap to run for local trips.

Short-trip drivers should look hard at the hybrid and electric options. The Cherokee hybrid needs no plug and gets up to 39 mpg in the city. If you have a garage or driveway with a charger, the Jeep Wagoneer S lists an EPA range of up to 294 miles, and the Recon lists up to 222 miles, both more than enough for local errands with a weekly top-up.

Weekend trips are where the state's compact size works in your favor. You can reach the Brandywine Valley, Delaware Seashore State Park or the Eastern Shore in under two hours, which means a mid-size SUV like the Grand Cherokee, with 23 gallons of fuel and up to 6,200 pounds of towing, handles most outings without much planning.

Towing a boat to the Delaware Bay or the Inland Bays is a common errand. The Durango, rated at up to 8,700 pounds when equipped, tows more than most family boats weigh. Check your boat's trailer weight and the vehicle's tow capacity before you load.

Delaware does not see the lake-effect snow of upstate New York or Erie, but it gets nor'easters, ice storms and coastal flooding. Roads near the bays and Route 1 can flood at high tide, and winter weather often arrives as freezing rain rather than deep snow.

Salt matters on both sides: road crews salt in winter, and the coast adds salt air. Rinse the underbody regularly, particularly after driving through standing tidal water, and ask a dealer about rust protection programs if you plan to keep the vehicle a long time.

For freezing rain and sleet, all-wheel drive helps with starting and steering but not with braking, so tires and speed are what matter. The Chrysler Pacifica offers AWD on Select, Limited and Pinnacle trims, rated 17 city and 25 highway mpg, and the Jeep Compass offers 4x4. The Grand Cherokee offers 4WD and 8.4 inches of clearance on standard suspension.

Never drive through floodwater. A fording rating describes controlled off-road use, not a flooded street. Check DelDOT, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and county evacuation guidance before coastal storms, and keep your tank at least half full when a warning is posted.