South Fla to Maine Route Advice

[Catmike2]

Our rig likes 55 to 60 mph. Traveling US 1 North from Jupiter, Fla seems the thing to do but not sure about all the stop lights and congestion. 95 seems much easier except for the reaction of many that our not going 75 mph is a sin. Out goal is 250 miles a day. What's the best thing to do.

[3'senough]

There are 3 options:

The gauntlet, 95. If you can travel off times like middle of the day through major cities or after dark perhaps doable.

Then there is the 95 to 64, CBBT and 13, 113, 1, 295, NJTPKE. South of Norfolk it's a nice open ride. Stop lights from CBBT to 113 then it opens up a little and once you hit 1, all highway. 40 miles longer than 95. There are 70 MPH zones and not much traffic to keep up or out of the way of. Only down side is some of the areas with lights, but hardly any traffic.

Another option, but with some major cities to navigate is the 26, 77 to 81 north which has you go through Charlotte and Harrisburg, PA. 100 miles longer than 95. Lots of truck traffic at 65-70 MPH. I kept my CC at 63 and went with it.

All the routes have their pluses and minuses.

[Kim Gass]

LOL. We go to Florida from Maine several times a year.
We have settled on 95 to 26 to 77 ( through Charlotte..one of only two cities we go through. You go around, not through Harrisburg ) to 81 to 84 and 84 through Hartford CT, Mass Tpk for 10 miles, 290 then 495 to NH-ME border and then 95 once more.

The trucks on 81 come out in force at night. Hartford has the usual slow going between exits 44 and 50. ( there some 11 exits in seven miles) You do not want to get on the Mass Turnpike in Sturbridge on a Friday Night.. Everyone wants to. There is a little bit of turnpike involved between 84 and 290.

I have driven 95 in Connecticut many times. You may wish to from afar, but New Havens Quinnipiac River bridge is under construction and the entire flyover system changing. Lanes are narrow and full of heaves. I haven't seen a TT much there lately maybe for good reason. Moreover the tiesups from Bport to NYC can be horrific. I had to go from New Haven to NYC once lately. The 75 miles took four hours.

We did the Delmarva crawl last week. Every couple of years we try it. It was simply awful. New signals every time and new shopping centers. There was quite a bit of traffic..all engaging in stopping for the frequent lights. There used to be way less lights!

the wind could be a factor in the CBBT system. It was gusting to 50. We just had a truck..no trailer and it was throwing us around.

Some of the speed limits have been raised. I believe CT is 65 as is NY and PA and others.. But no one does that. In Maine its 70-75.

Just drive your own speed.

Tolls may matter. On I -84 there is one toll. I think its a buck fifty. Mass TPK will be a buck. NH three

But it beats the Jersey NYC tolls

Coming to Maine the route I described is exactly fifty nine minutes longer. Coming to Maine can have a different route than to NY.

Hope to see you ..AFTER Mud season!

[Catmike2]

Thank you both for your insight an directions.... Invaluable advice......

[Catmike2]

Kim and 3'senough. .. Followed your suggestions and Thanks A Million for them. Except for overloading my truck bed .... The trip went flawlessly ......we r in Maine for July, Thomaston, and love all there is here......ty ty..

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by Catmike2

Kim and 3'senough. .. Followed your suggestions and Thanks A Million for them. Except for overloading my truck bed .... The trip went flawlessly ......we r in Maine for July, Thomaston, and love all there is here......ty ty..

Let me know if you are looking for things to do! Rockland is getting a rep for a uber hip arts destination. Fireworks in Camden this evening!

Events | Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce

[ScarabChris]

You're going to have to take 95, at least through Florida. US1 would take forever and you would never cover 250 miles a day. Just stay in the right lane.

Question...why only 55-60? What are you towing with? I have a Jay Feather 25BH and a Cadillac Escalade EXT and tow at 68-70 with no problem as long as there is not a bad cross wind and it's not wet out.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by ScarabChris

You're going to have to take 95, at least through Florida. US1 would take forever and you would never cover 250 miles a day. Just stay in the right lane.

Question...why only 55-60? What are you towing with? I have a Jay Feather 25BH and a Cadillac Escalade EXT and tow at 68-70 with no problem as long as there is not a bad cross wind and it's not wet out.

What are your tires rated for? Many TT tires are only rated to 65.

Also the speed limit is not 70 along much of 95. Are you a scofflaw?

Anyway I think the trip is done.

[FashaPa]

If you want to by pass CT take 95 to 287 to 87 to 90 to 290 to 495 to 95 to Maine. This route takes you up the NY thruway to the Mass Pike through the Berkshires. A much easier drive than dealing with CT. And it is only like 40 miles longer. I take this route several times a year from PA to Maine
.

[Catmike2]

Originally Posted by ScarabChris

You're going to have to take 95, at least through Florida. US1 would take forever and you would never cover 250 miles a day. Just stay in the right lane.

Question...why only 55-60? What are you towing with? I have a Jay Feather 25BH and a Cadillac Escalade EXT and tow at 68-70 with no problem as long as there is not a bad cross wind and it's not wet out.

Our particular OEM tires are rated for 65 mph; Perhaps I'm over cautious. we drove Kim's route and it was superb.

[Catmike2]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

LOL. We go to Florida from Maine several times a year.
We have settled on 95 to 26 to 77 ( through Charlotte..one of only two cities we go through. You go around, not through Harrisburg ) to 81 to 84 and 84 through Hartford CT, Mass Tpk for 10 miles, 290 then 495 to NH-ME border and then 95 once more.

The trucks on 81 come out in force at night. Hartford has the usual slow going between exits 44 and 50. ( there some 11 exits in seven miles) You do not want to get on the Mass Turnpike in Sturbridge on a Friday Night.. Everyone wants to. There is a little bit of turnpike involved between 84 and 290.

I have driven 95 in Connecticut many times. You may wish to from afar, but New Havens Quinnipiac River bridge is under construction and the entire flyover system changing. Lanes are narrow and full of heaves. I haven't seen a TT much there lately maybe for good reason. Moreover the tiesups from Bport to NYC can be horrific. I had to go from New Haven to NYC once lately. The 75 miles took four hours.

We did the Delmarva crawl last week. Every couple of years we try it. It was simply awful. New signals every time and new shopping centers. There was quite a bit of traffic..all engaging in stopping for the frequent lights. There used to be way less lights!

the wind could be a factor in the CBBT system. It was gusting to 50. We just had a truck..no trailer and it was throwing us around.

Some of the speed limits have been raised. I believe CT is 65 as is NY and PA and others.. But no one does that. In Maine its 70-75.

Just drive your own speed.

Tolls may matter. On I -84 there is one toll. I think its a buck fifty. Mass TPK will be a buck. NH three

But it beats the Jersey NYC tolls

Coming to Maine the route I described is exactly fifty nine minutes longer. Coming to Maine can have a different route than to NY.

Hope to see you ..AFTER Mud season!

Well Kim, you are indeed a life saver. Thank you for offering and writing out your superb directions.

In Maine now...the day time temp diff between Jupiter FL and Thomaston ME "in reel feel terms" is 50 degrees. Yes five oh bloody degrees. Maine is heaven for us. We overloaded the truck bed with too much clothing and misc. "man love" gear. Thus, the drag on speed. I've been shifting weight to the TT and tossing out things to lighten the bed of the truck. We averaged 350 miles a day driving North. We'll get the system down with experience.

Mike