I-95

[Joan617]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

After the TZ you are on 287 you get to 84 by the connecting north south route 684
That meets 84 just west of Danbury CT
But really 287 to 95 at Rye then north some 120 nmikes to 395 can work too . .but always check Google Maps or Waze
Keep alternatives in mind

The I-287 connection from the Tapanzee to 95 at Rye is an obvious connection that I failed to mention and could work well. It gets you back on 95 north of the mishigass of the NY metro area. I have not lived in the area in a while and do't know what 287 traffic is like now.
-Angus

[camjam]

Thanks to all for all your reply's. After reading all the options my dw suggested
skipping New York and Boston this trip and going right to Niagra Falls from Gettysburg. I jumped on the idea since I wasn't exited about visiting the cities anyway.

[KillerIsMe]

Originally Posted by whjake

If you are taking a car/truck only than the way KillerIsMe suggested is a nice ride. BUT you cant take an RV on the Merritt Parkway. YOU WILL NOT FIT. There are many bridges that are below 13ft. Not to mention that trailers are aloud on the Merritt Parkway

Oh crap Jake! I had forgotten about the low underpasses on the Merritt. Guess you'd have to take 684 to 84 to Meriden and then back over to 95 if you're pulling. I was suggesting the Merritt because of what a pretty ride it is.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by KillerIsMe

Oh crap Jake! I had forgotten about the low underpasses on the Merritt. Guess you'd have to take 684 to 84 to Meriden and then back over to 95 if you're pulling. I was suggesting the Merritt because of what a pretty ride it is.

Its illegal to tow or drive an RV on the Merritt
Period
I dont see what the big deal is on circling around NYC
I've done it in a car for many years since I got my license in 1963
In an RV to get out of Maine or into Maine for three years
There are far worse bottlenecks in the USA
Atlanta, Seattle,Houston etc

[RVermont]

I realize you have changed your plans but here are a couple of screen grabs of two routes. I use this app to help plan routes. Shows tolls cost and fuel as well as estimated times. So longer cheaper route is 150 cheaper and adds an hour. I have traveled with others between myrtle and Vt and they insist on the 95 route while I take the western/northern route and in 4 of the 6 trips we arrive home within minutes of each other. The others were split between us. Each arriving several hours apart due to traffic or road construction.
95 between Richmond and washington is bear. 17 route is good idea but does add time.

[KillerIsMe]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

Its illegal to tow or drive an RV on the Merritt
Period
I dont see what the big deal is on circling around NYC
I've done it in a car for many years since I got my license in 1963
In an RV to get out of Maine or into Maine for three years
There are far worse bottlenecks in the USA
Atlanta, Seattle,Houston etc

That's very true about worse traffic elsewhere - LA for example. But if you can avoid NYC and southern Connecticut there is no downside

[lpleiman]

I live in the Balt Wash metro area, I695 around Balt, I95, and I495 are terrible. Even on the weekend traffic is heavy. If you must use these routes try to drive between 8PM and 5AM be it in a car, TT, 5th, C or A. We have a Jayco Alante 31V, always plan our trips to avoid 7-10AM and 4-7PM.

[Jdmcla]

I drive from eastern NC to Central PA just about every weekend. In my opinion, unless you can get to Richmond after the evening rush hour and push through DC during the night, stay off 95.

The route I take during my trips north is: 95N to Richmond, 64W and then 81N all the way up into PA. That's the route if I'm hauling. If not, there are other routes north of 64W (highway 17, some other little highways, then 66W to 81N).

I do see quite a few folks hauling on that secondary route and it's pretty friendly to haul. Also, staying out of DC is worth the added time because there always seems to be a wreck...which adds time anyways if you took that route.

[NHstuckinGA]

Interesting comments! I have been driving south to Maine for 30 years and didn't tow until last year. I suggest that to avoid CT, stay on I-81 to I-88 and then to the Mass TPK. To avoid Boston, use I-290 or go one more exit direct to I-495. Then to avoid Portland, stay on I-95.
But in all cases DO NOT use I-95 until NH.

[Kim Gass]

avoid Portland? 66,000 people?
But people do insane things on 295. Seems Freeport is a pile up magnet
so yes 95 is better there
BTW the Winchester VA area and Hershey seems to have good year round CG' s on 81

[NHstuckinGA]

Personally we use I-295 instead of I-95 on our annual trip to Baa HaaBa. Portland is a great city and we recommend a visit. The traffic is not bad at all if you avoid commuter traffic. But to tow easily, use I-95. It is a little longer (and costly) but the road is excellent and scenery wonderful!

[2edgesword]

Once you're passed NYC, Baltimore and get a little south of D.C. things clear up quite a bit. Also, once you get out of that area the tolls are fewer and further between.

[Debdon Journeys]

OH the tolls on 95. the 83 to 81 route I believe is virtually toll free. I live near Baltimore and the tolls to go to Philly cost us more then gas and eating out. But you only pay it Northbound

[hikerjohn7]

We stay west of New York and Connecticut on highway 84.

[hikerjohn7]

One more note. The condition of I-95 through South Carolina, last time we were there, was very bad. I had to slow down because the pavement was beating my class A so badly. It shook some the dishes out of the cabinets.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by NHstuckinGA

Personally we use I-295 instead of I-95 on our annual trip to Baa HaaBa. Portland is a great city and we recommend a visit. The traffic is not bad at all if you avoid commuter traffic. But to tow easily, use I-95. It is a little longer (and costly) but the road is excellent and scenery wonderful!

I agree I am an hour north of Pirtland and Bon Appetit named Portland the top foodie city in the US
This is bad for the budget
But I still would reconmend staying off 295 with an RV
There is too much money invested in one
While the traffic normally moved ok in the past six months or so there have been a couple of accidents a week that tie up all the trafic in that direction
Maine DOT has tried changing the speed limit but that is not helping
It must be the air; the weather has not been that bad

[TWP723]

95 North of DC horrible. I travel it daily. I live in Bel Air, Md. and travel to the west side of the beltway. Normal commute (with no accidents) is 1:30-1:45 for 37 miles. Northbound from DC is bad on Tues, Thurs and sometimes Fri. Weekends are fine.

[LI-Camper]

Some of the advice above is incorrect. You CAN NOT drive an RV on the Parkways in NY! So no Hutchison River Parkway in NY. Also the Tappen Zee Bridge has been torn down and replaced by the new modern wide Mario Cuomo Bridge. It works well. There are no longer any toll booths on major roads in NY. Either your E-Z Pass gets charged or a photo is taken of your license plate and you will get a bill.E-Z Pass is discounted. Some of the signage still says Tappen Zee Bridge but it will take you over the Mario Cuomo Bridge. Living on Long Island, I do not have a choice when I drive my MH south or west. I try to cross the GW Bridge on a weekend morning. I prefer not to drive the MH at night but I would consider that.
On Long Island we have many parkways with low bridges. Often truck drivers that use Automobile GPS hit the bridges. So be careful out there.

[2edgesword]

Originally Posted by LI-Camper

Some of the advice above is incorrect. You CAN NOT drive an RV on the Parkways in NY! So no Hutchison River Parkway in NY. Also the Tappen Zee Bridge has been torn down and replaced by the new modern wide Mario Cuomo Bridge. It works well. There are no longer any toll booths on major roads in NY. Either your E-Z Pass gets charged or a photo is taken of your license plate and you will get a bill.E-Z Pass is discounted. Some of the signage still says Tappen Zee Bridge but it will take you over the Mario Cuomo Bridge. Living on Long Island, I do not have a choice when I drive my MH south or west. I try to cross the GW Bridge on a weekend morning. I prefer not to drive the MH at night but I would consider that.
On Long Island we have many parkways with low bridges. Often truck drivers that use Automobile GPS hit the bridges. So be careful out there.

And I'm guessing tolls in NY will be going up so the Governor can cover the $2B+ shortfall in tax revenue he spoke about the other day.