I-95

[camjam]

Going to be traveling up the east coast this May and was wondering how bad the traffic was on I-95. we are going from Washington DC up to Boston and really didn't see an alternate route that didn't take us way out of the way. Will be pulling a 37' fifth wheel so I really prefer interstates. Any idea's?

Thanks

[sail154]

We tow a 42’ Jayco Pinnacle and live in upstate NY. We often travel south and have found I-95 from NY to Washington DC very unfriendly for 5th wheels. We often use I-88 from Albany NY to Binghamton where we take I-81 to York, PA where we take I-83 to the outer loop around Baltimore to avoid the tunnels on I-95 that do not permit RV’s with propane.
Depending on the time of travel we may take I-81 to avoid the DC area.
Good luck.

[Johnny Lightning]

But talk about the slow boat to China, and non-freeway. I'm thinking you're probably stuck with I-95. How do you feel about driving through the night? Just a couple of thoughts.

[JaytheDJ]

Do whatever you can to avoid 95 in CT between 7am-10am and again from 2pm-6pm. Horrific.
We travel to Florida every year from RI and CT is the absolute worst. Followed closely by the Cross Bronx Expressway/GW bridge in NY.

Can't speak much on MA and Boston as we're always heading south

[Baldfacemt]

SAme near Boston, Stay away from business/commuter rush hour times. Where are you going to Boston itself or suburbs nearby? There will be tunnels closer to the city..

[Kim Gass]

495 to 93 is good for Boston west and north
We drive from Maine to FL each year and 495-290-MA Tpk-84 to 81 in Scranton and south.
You could slways head west on 66 and meet 81
We live right off 95 but north of Portland where tou can easily cross 95 on foot without getting whacked
We see NO metro areas on this route and very little traffic save Danbury and Hartford

[Joan617]

Haven't made the trip with a 5ver (yet) but I spent much of my life in NYC and Westchester County just north. Consider this and see if the snowbirds here think it's too far out of the way (but the scenery is great)


Navigate I-95 until somewhere around the G-Wash Bridge before it goes over the Hudson, then find a 5th-wheel-freindly route to go cross-lots up the west side of the hudson up to I-287 east and cross on the Tapanzee Bridge (which was always cheaper). Head East on 287 to I-684 in Westchester then head north to I-84 and take that East across central CT To the Boston metro area.



It's farther as the crow flies, but its also pretty country and the roads were always nicer.



I-95 through the NYC metro area is about as much fun as a colonoscopy without the anesthesia.


-Angus

[RAurand]

My opinion, whether I am towing my trailer or driving to visit family. When I travel on 95 anywhere between Northern Virginia to North of Boston.... I drive it at night and sleep during the day. Much better traffic flow.

[damammel]

I would also head towards Scranton and go over the Tappan Zee bridge. Then take 84 to 90 in Massachusetts. One accident on the GW can cost you hours plus the toll there.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by damammel

I would also head towards Scranton and go over the Tappan Zee bridge. Then take 84 to 90 in Massachusetts. One accident on the GW can cost you hours plus the toll there.

Thatbmakes no sense. The TZ is fed by 287 which is fed by 80
Ergo you would catch 80 just past Hazelton A good 30 miles before Scranton
Then you have to take 684 to 84 after the TZ
684 is a special kind of Hades at certain times of day

[Marine71-76]

We were traveling from Cincinnati, Ohio to Groton, Connecticut to visit our son. We missed the Tappen Zee Bridge turn off (wife was supposed to be reading the map but she fall asleep!) so we ended up going through downtown Manhattan, over the GW bridge & we were pulling our 5vr.

[damammel]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

Thatbmakes no sense. The TZ is fed by 287 which is fed by 80
Ergo you would catch 80 just past Hazelton A good 30 miles before Scranton
Then you have to take 684 to 84 after the TZ
684 is a special kind of Hades at certain times of day

My apologies. I was thinking about two routes. If they get back on 95 after the Tapenz or they can stay north on 84 and cross further north into CT.

[John from Central Florida]

We go to Maine each summer, but before we get to Richmond we turn far enough west to avoid Washington, Baltimore and southern New York. We end up adding a few days to the trip, but I hate 95...

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by damammel

My apologies. I was thinking about two routes. If they get back on 95 after the Tapenz or they can stay north on 84 and cross further north into CT.

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

[Bullitt6283]

I cannot emphasize this enough.... Especially from Richmond north......AVOID I-95 AT ALL COSTS.

[Mopar_Earl]

If you do ok with heavy traffic and gridlock, you will be ok. If you don't, you may want to take the long way. I have Corp meetings in Richmond, VA. I'm in South central PA. I take 81 to 66 to 17 to 95. It avoids the beltway. Never had any issues on 95 Richmond to 17 in Fredericksburg. But I don't mind rush hour, heavy traffic, gridlock. After driving in DC, northern VA, Philly, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Baltimore it doesn't phase me anymore. Lol


Earl

[whjake]

We live in CT and when traveling south we always leave around midnight to avoid the traffic in NYC and CT traveling 95 with or with our camper. We avoid those areas at all cost after 7 am. When we return from from south of DC we have had really good luck with rt 270 to rt 70 to 81 to 84. and then you can take 84 up to 90(mass pike) which runs in to boston. Going out to the middle of PA and around adds about 1.5 to 2 hrs to our trip but it is a LOT LESS STRESS.

[KillerIsMe]

Take I95 up to Wilmington, then cross into Jersey on I295. Stay on 295 to Trenton and take I195 back over to 95 again (Jersey Turnpike). The Turnpike will eventually cross the Garden State Parkway - take it up to I287 and cross the Tappan Zee. Take the Hutchinson Parkway, which becomes the Merritt Parkway when it crosses into Connecticut. It will take you to where you can get back on 95 using the Milford Parkway. You'll be just below New Haven, which can be trafficy. From there up to Boston 95 is not that bad. You can trust me on this. I lived in South Jersey for 30 years, traveled this route regularly. It won't be pretty but you'll avoid New York, Stamford/Greenwich/Darien, Exit 7A on the Jersey Turnpike, Philadelphia, etc. You want to avoid the GW Bridge at all costs. You will be very unhappy if you cross it. North Jersey and New Haven won't be fun but just use common sense and stay out of the big areas during rush hours and you'll be fine. As a bonus, the Merritt Parkway is a beautiful ride.

[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

[Kim Gass]

RVs and trailers are prohibited on the Merritt and Wilbur Cross and Hutch
https://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=2314&q=597022

There are signs that tell you this but apparently they are nit aleays noticed