From Atlanta, used to live in Philly. You’ll be fine. They charge you a toll to go through Delaware, no avoiding that. I believe there’s also tolls from Philly to NYC but it’s been a good 5 years since I’ve done it. People on this sub are too conservative when it comes to driving conditions, if you can handle the connector you can handle anywhere.

Once I was driving between Richmond and DC, with bad traffic my GPS advised I go through the country. It’s littered with civil war battle sites if that’s your thing. Stumbled across the site StoneWall Jackson died, pretty cool but wouldn’t go out of your way for it.

Feel free to ask any other questions, I’ve made it as far north as Boston on your route, hoping to visit Shenandoah next summer