Birmingham, AL to Portland, CT to Bristol, Maine

gunafulltime

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What are the your thoughts about the roads and routes for towing a 34' TT from Birmingham, AL to Portland, CT, and Bristol, Maine?

We want to avoid the torn up roads and congested roads as much as possible. I know that's a tall order. We have only driven to CT from Birmingham once in a car. Your experience and insight is greatly appreciated. We want to see family in CT and revisit Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, our honeymoon destination many years ago.

:campfire:
 
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What are the your thoughts about the roads and routes for towing a 34' TT from Birmingham, AL to Portland, CT, and Bristol, Maine? We want to avoid the torn up roads and congested roads as much as possible. I know that's a tall order. We have only driven to CT from Birmingham once in a car. Your experience and insight is greatly appreciated. We want to see family in CT and revisit Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, our honeymoon destination many years ago.
So you want to take the interstates? Take a look at a map. I-81 to I-95?
 
So you want to take the interstates? Take a look at a map. I-81 to I-95?

Thank you for the fantastic suggestion.

If anyone can provide information and tips about the road conditions (torn up or well-maintained) and/or route considerations, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
 
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Most Spring road construction projects won't even be announced yet so things can and probably will change by April and beyond.

Thank you! I will try to find information for the construction projects.

Are you aware of roads/routes that are infamous for their bad condition and/or bad congestion? I realize that such roads are likely unavoidable, but I'd like to know any pointers about particular stretches of road that have known issues (where and what to look out for). We are not well-versed in the roads in the Mid-Atlantic and North Eastern states.
 
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I try to avoid I-81 and I-95 through VA. The last time I traveled from central PA to the Knoxville area, I went through WV. It added 20 minutes to a 10 hour drive, but had less traffic and was more scenic. Knoxville will slow you down for about 20 minutes, and then you're good.

If I were driving from Birmingham to Portland, CT, my route would be;
I-75 to Knoxville
I-40 to I-81 to Wytheville VA
I-77 North to Beckley, WV
US 19 to I-79
I-79 to I-68 to
I-99/US 220 to
I-80 to
I-81 to
I-84 to Portland, CT.
 
I try to avoid I-81 and I-95 through VA. The last time I traveled from central PA to the Knoxville area, I went through WV. It added 20 minutes to a 10 hour drive, but had less traffic and was more scenic. Knoxville will slow you down for about 20 minutes, and then you're good.

If I were driving from Birmingham to Portland, CT, my route would be;
I-75 to Knoxville
I-40 to I-81 to Wytheville VA
I-77 North to Beckley, WV
US 19 to I-79
I-79 to I-68 to
I-99/US 220 to
I-80 to
I-81 to
I-84 to Portland, CT.

Thank You! This is helpful!
 
I was also thinking if you want to break up the trip, there's a KOA in Wytheville, about 6 hours from Birmingham. There's another KOA in Bellefonte PA, about 6 hours from Wytheville. Portland is less than 6 hours from Bellefonte.

I've stayed at both of these KOA's in the past few years, and they were well kept, like most KOA's.

If you want to drive longer, and spend fewer days on the road. Birmingham to Sutton WV, KOA is 8 1/2 hours. This would put you about halfway, per the above route.

Obviously, there are other campgrounds besides KOA, but I typically use them and Harvest Host, when covering a large distance.
 
If I were driving from Birmingham to Portland, CT, my route would be;
I-75 to Knoxville
I-40 to I-81 to Wytheville VA
I-77 North to Beckley, WV
US 19 to I-79
I-79 to I-68 to
I-99/US 220 to
I-80 to
I-81 to
I-84 to Portland, CT.

Don't forget I-40 got wiped out by HELENE in NC and was predicted to reopen as only 1 lane each way. So that is another area where construction updates are probably day by day and will be on going all summer. Also the trucking industry loves I-40.
 
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What are the your thoughts about the roads and routes for towing a 34' TT from Birmingham, AL to Portland, CT, and Bristol, Maine?

We want to avoid the torn up roads and congested roads as much as possible. I know that's a tall order. We have only driven to CT from Birmingham once in a car. Your experience and insight is greatly appreciated. We want to see family in CT and revisit Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, our honeymoon destination many years ago.

:campfire:

I'm not sure of the route, as I have to consulted a map, BUT, if you can, come into CT by way of NY/PA you'd be much better off. Stay away from the dreaded I95. Portland is my neck of the woods, just a few miles down the road. :D

Like Grumpy said...I84 Danbury area.
 
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Wonderful! Thank you all for this!

@JKyle: That's cool! I have 3 sisters and my mother in Portland. We'll keep you posted.
 
Having done a similar trip (in reverse) several times, I'd offer my general thought that the closer you are to NYC, the worse the roads are both for condition and congestion. Personally, I avoid I-95 at all costs and don't really like using I-87 through NJ, either. It's slightly out of the way, but going up I-81 to I-84 then crossing the Hudson at Newburgh and into Waterbury is the least stressful route. We have crossed the Hudson as far south as I-287 at Nyack (the Cuomo bridge) and I wouldn't go further south than that. In our car, we've crossed at Ft Lee on I-95 (George Washington bridge) but I wouldn't try that with our motorhome and try to avoid I-95 anyway. If you do go through NYC, the Hutchison Parkway parallels I-95 and is the best way out in a car. Not available for motorhomes and you're stuck on I-95.
 
Having done a similar trip (in reverse) several times, I'd offer my general thought that the closer you are to NYC, the worse the roads are both for condition and congestion. Personally, I avoid I-95 at all costs and don't really like using I-87 through NJ, either. It's slightly out of the way, but going up I-81 to I-84 then crossing the Hudson at Newburgh and into Waterbury is the least stressful route. We have crossed the Hudson as far south as I-287 at Nyack (the Cuomo bridge) and I wouldn't go further south than that. In our car, we've crossed at Ft Lee on I-95 (George Washington bridge) but I wouldn't try that with our motorhome and try to avoid I-95 anyway. If you do go through NYC, the Hutchison Parkway parallels I-95 and is the best way out in a car. Not available for motorhomes and you're stuck on I-95.
Interesting. This is helpful! We'll add your points to our research. Thank you!

:campfire:
 
Having done a similar trip (in reverse) several times, I'd offer my general thought that the closer you are to NYC, the worse the roads are both for condition and congestion. Personally, I avoid I-95 at all costs and don't really like using I-87 through NJ, either. It's slightly out of the way, but going up I-81 to I-84 then crossing the Hudson at Newburgh and into Waterbury is the least stressful route. We have crossed the Hudson as far south as I-287 at Nyack (the Cuomo bridge) and I wouldn't go further south than that. In our car, we've crossed at Ft Lee on I-95 (George Washington bridge) but I wouldn't try that with our motorhome and try to avoid I-95 anyway. If you do go through NYC, the Hutchison Parkway parallels I-95 and is the best way out in a car. Not available for motorhomes and you're stuck on I-95.

EXACTLY ALL THIS. Stay away from I95 no matter how out of the way it might seem. No Hutchinson Pkwy / Merrit Pkwy, they do not allow truck or trailers. The upper routes are a much more pleasant drive, too. They're how I leave CT to go to PA.
 
Wonderful! Thank you all for this!

@JKyle: That's cool! I have 3 sisters and my mother in Portland. We'll keep you posted.

I am forced onto I95 to get to my campground. It was one of the worrisome points of my first trip with the truck and new camper. I am proud of myself for taking it on, without issue. Jersey barriers on both sides, along most of it, leaving me to drive in one of the 2, VERY narrow lanes! NO shoulder: white line then 3" to barrier! I've done the trip numerous times now and feel it has helped me to realize I am pretty good at towing. :D
 
Don't forget I-40 got wiped out by HELENE in NC and was predicted to reopen as only 1 lane each way. So that is another area where construction updates are probably day by day and will be on going all summer. Also the trucking industry loves I-40.

My understanding is the sections of I-40 that were wiped out are East of where you leave I-40 for I-81.
 
I like to use Mapquest.com to get driving directions. It helps me visualize the trip. They typically map out several routes to choose from. I can do "what if" scenarios by adding a stop(s) to alter my route.

Using Birmingham, AL as point A , and Portland, CT, as point B. The most direct route is I-81 through VA. This route will supposedly take 15 1/2 hours and 1076 miles.

The route I suggested, going through Beckley WV, Cumberland MD, and Scranton PA, is supposed to take 17 1/2 hours and 1189 miles.

Taking one of Mapquest's recommended alternate routes, that includes a lot of I-95, is supposed to be 16 1/2 hours and 1115 miles.

Unless you're on a motorcycle or driving a sports car, I would not recommend 220, 221, or 522 in southern VA.

All this looking at maps wants me to schedule a trip to the New England states.
 
I like to use Mapquest.com to get driving directions. It helps me visualize the trip. They typically map out several routes to choose from. I can do "what if" scenarios by adding a stop(s) to alter my route.

Using Birmingham, AL as point A , and Portland, CT, as point B. The most direct route is I-81 through VA. This route will supposedly take 15 1/2 hours and 1076 miles.

The route I suggested, going through Beckley WV, Cumberland MD, and Scranton PA, is supposed to take 17 1/2 hours and 1189 miles.

Taking one of Mapquest's recommended alternate routes, that includes a lot of I-95, is supposed to be 16 1/2 hours and 1115 miles.

Unless you're on a motorcycle or driving a sports car, I would not recommend 220, 221, or 522 in southern VA.

All this looking at maps wants me to schedule a trip to the New England states.

I get that "I want to go there" idea a lot on the JOF! :D

I agree. The few extra hours save a lot of potential trouble and stress. Sometimes the "long way" is the best way.
 
I travel from NH to TN every year and FL every 2 years, and I avoid 95 like the plague. I take 84 over to 81 as there is far less traffic and the roads are much better.
 
I 84 from Scranton to I 691 in Southington CT. Do NOT go through Hartford on 84. Unless you love lots of s curves. Portland is across from Middletown CT After you cross 91 on 691 the road is Rt 66 but reasonable across the bridge from Middletown to Portland.

You can backtrack to Middletown and take rt 9 to the cutoff n 15 that avoids Hartford and puts you back on 84. Then go up to the Mass Pike and stay on that to 495 N. Do not take the cutoff exit on 290 through Worcester. The interchange is a mess under construction.

495 to 95 into NH and Maine and its clear sailing. Until you get to Rt 130. If the part of Bristol you are visiting is on 32 its been repaired as a stretch was wiped out last year in storms.


Road conditons..who knows . We just started winter. We are leaving for Florida after we dig out the TT and always go 95-495-MA pike -84, We lived near Hartford for a long time and grit our teeth as we know every ess by heart but don't advise it for newbies. Then down 81. To 77 to 20 but we don't have to go through Atlanta..
 

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