Route from Harrisburg, PA to Springfield, VT

[Slowjoe]

We're planning a trip and have most of the route set already but we've never traveled into New England. I would like to get advice on the best route, without tolls, from Harrisburg, PA to Springfield, VT. We're trying to avoid as much traffic and tolls as possible and would prefer not to go through any major cities. Our MH is a 28 ft class C and we're towing a CR-V.

[Jacjayco]

Looks like 78 to 87 via Albany?
Google "driving directions from Harrisburg PA to Springfield VT".
You will get a few answers to select from.

[stustoner]

When we went up that way, we went I-81 to I-88 to Albany, then Route 7 to Route 9 (near Bennington), then I-91.

[harryjr]

We drove that area a lot when our daughter lived in PA. Tappen Zee Bridge & George Washington Bridge are big bucks with a trailer or toad. Avoid I-95 in CT.

I'd take I-81 to I-84 to I-91. No way to avoid all the cities other than NYC. Hartford, CT I-84 & I-91 interchange has been a mess for 40 years. Doubt that it will be fixed by the time you get there.

[TWP723]

78 to 87

[Slowjoe]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I was hoping for a route like Stustoner's and that is probably the one we will take.

[muckinfuss]

Recommended: one or two days before you leave, re-run the map to disclose the most recent construction issues. Waze may be a good app for your phone while you're in motion. Second, plan your gas stops by gauging the distance between them and then street view or satellite view the choices to make determination as to how well you can navigate getting to a pump and back on the road.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by stustoner

When we went up that way, we went I-81 to I-88 to Albany, then Route 7 to Route 9 (near Bennington), then I-91.

The trouble with that route is it is very hilly as you must cross the Green Mountains.. It has a plus with the views on Hogback Mountain Getting through Troy is more miserable than that I 91 interchange in Hartford.


Familiar with all the routes as we have lived here since 1949.

81 to Scranton then 84 across the rest of eastern PA NY and CT to Hartford then pick up 91 . Between exits 40-51 the road is very s curvy. 91 is fine

The route has one toll of $1.75 at the eastern end of the Newburgh Beacon Bridge..otherwise free.

87 is insanely expensive for even a single car.

[RSerendipity]

Agree with Kim Gass, follow the Interstates it is much faster/easier. Hartford is not bad most of the time. Make this trip from Eastern PA to Maine twice a year.

Although I paid $10.60 EB @ the Hudson-Beacon Bridge with a 33' Fifth Wheel, Free WB. Your Class C w/Toad should/could be less. BTW-Tolls went up May 1st from $10.60 to $11.40 for a 4 Axle vehicle.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by RSerendipity

Agree with Kim Gass, follow the Interstates it is much faster/easier. Hartford is not bad most of the time. Make this trip from Eastern PA to Maine twice a year.

Although I paid $10.60 EB @ the Hudson-Beacon Bridge with a 33' Fifth Wheel, Free WB. Your Class C w/Toad should/could be less. BTW-Tolls went up May 1st from $10.60 to $11.40 for a 4 Axle vehicle.

oops.. I was quoting a car toll! Anyway it will not require a second mortgage as the more southerly crossings would.. However between I 88 and Troy the NYS toll is about a dollar.


The only problem I have had on 1-84 between Danbury and Hartford is either road construction or some doofus had a fender bender. Its two lane most of that stretch and one error can cause a tie up.. I find Waze app handy.

[skipbly]

If you are coming across 84 use 691, to 91 N. It will keep you out Hartford downtown traffic.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by skipbly

If you are coming across 84 use 691, to 91 N. It will keep you out Hartford downtown traffic.

691 is usually free rolling but 91 in Rocky Hill often has problems with traffic Hubby dealt with that for several years, Never predictably bad, just usually bad. The good thing is there are no wild turns and trying to figure out what lane you are supposed to be in where and no evil tunnel through Hartford. the 691-91 interchange is clean and just stay in the middle lane of 91 to the Mass line.

If you have Waze it is a good app for CT traffic conditions that will allow you time to choose what is best ahead of time.

[FashaPa]

Rserendipity, where in Maine do you go? We are originally from Maine exiled in PA. We are leaving next week to stay in Maine all summer.

[thenovaks]

You cannot avoid a toll to get across the Hudson River. Here is how I would do it, but it slower and mostly scenic:
Rt 81 out of Harrisburg.
Rt 84 east at Scranton
Cross the Hudson at Newburgh on Rt 84
NY Rt 9 north
Rt 44 east at Poughkeepsie
Rt 22 joins Rt 44 in Amenia NY
Continue on Rt 22 north to Rt 7 in VT (a lovely ride)
Rt 7/279 to Bennington VT
Rt 7 north out of Bennington VT
Rt 11 east at Manchester VT to Springfield VT.
If you are in a hurry Rt81N > Rt84E > Rt691E (Southington CT to Meriden CT) > Rt91N

[snickers]

We live in the Adirondacks, up by Plattsburgh way and I’m originally from Scranton PA. I travel to Pa all the time to visit family and use to travel to the Whites all the time from Pa when I lived there. I would go 81 to 88, short stint on 90 to 91. I have never found the traffic to be an issue unless I hit construction. Going through CT is horrendous. If you avoid rush hour around Albany you will cruise right through. If you can hop on 476 to cut off some of 81 it may be worth the toll. Have fun, safe travels!

[dwilli1]

It's hard to avoid tolls completely when going to NE. Waterbury and Danbury are usually worse than Hartford for traffic and like many have said you can skip Hartford traffic by taking 691 to 91 north instead of 84 to 91 north.

[oldbat]

I would take 81 north towards Albany and not go east on I-84. They currently have the bridge that crosses the Hudson on I-84 torn apart, with lanes closed and traffic can get extreme if it's anytime around a weekend or rush hour. The road way across the bridge is terrible and narrow with lots of trucks going across. I-84 through Connecticut towards Hartford can be a traffic nightmare during rush hour or weekends.

[tljwYaki]

Originally Posted by Slowjoe

We're planning a trip and have most of the route set already but we've never traveled into New England. I would like to get advice on the best route, without tolls, from Harrisburg, PA to Springfield, VT. We're trying to avoid as much traffic and tolls as possible and would prefer not to go through any major cities. Our MH is a 28 ft class C and we're towing a CR-V.

I 81 to 88 due east to Albany, then 87 North. Stay far away from I84. Long steep, gas guzzling terrain. Then best cross over to VT. No tolls at all on this route. You'll just miss them. I travel in a 32' C, Jayco Greyhawk pulling a CRV to Lake Champlain for years.

[tgundy]

You can cross for no charge at Mechanicville on NY 67 north of Albany. From State College we took I-81, I-88, NY 30 north to Amsterdam, then NY 67 east. We were in a 24' Greyhawk, nice drive, no large towns.

[RSerendipity]

Originally Posted by FashaPa

Rserendipity, where in Maine do you go? We are originally from Maine exiled in PA. We are leaving next week to stay in Maine all summer.

We vary every trip. Sometimes up the Coast, Boothbay, Camden, Belfast, Searsport, etc (Avoid Bar Harbor) up to Cobscook Bay SP. Next trip we head inland. We have stayed in Peaks-Kenny SP in Dover-Foxcroft. A couple of places along the Golden road. We try to make the Seaplane Fly-In on Moosehead lake every other year or so. We have flown in them in Alaska & really enjoy seeing all the different types, talking to the pilots & watching the Seaplane Drag Races.

Next trip will be this Fall up the Coast. My DW enjoys the Coast.