Camper friendly Trip route from Northern NJ

[KristinU]

We are in Harrisburg, PA and we usually take Rt 15 to Rt 17 outside of Leesburg. You can follow that all the way down to I-95 north of Richmond. We then put on our boredom blinders for the trip south to I-4.

This year, we plan to leave around 4am and drive straight to the KOA in Point South, SC. Right around 12 hours. That will leave us about 4 to 5 hours the second day to travel to WDW!

You can still cut thru NJ and PA on I-78 and I-81. Just get on I-581 from 81S and get off at the Gettysburg exit.

Easy, and no tolls and tunnels. The Rt 15/17 ride is pretty direct, keeps moving and very scenic (in a good "scenic route" way).

Good luck!

We do this too, but add on 84 out of Hartford to 81 to your neck of the woods, then pick up 15. 15 has that lovely southbound rest stop!

 

[sirenia88]

Thank you for all the replies so far. They are really helpful in trip planning. Looking forward to the ride in October!

 

[heartsy77]

Thank you for all the replies so far. They are really helpful in trip planning. Looking forward to the ride in October!

When are your dates? We are heading down Oct 12 for 8 nights! It will be our 1st trip to FW and my little stepson's 1st time! He is 5 and so excited!

 

[sirenia88]

When are your dates? We are heading down Oct 12 for 8 nights! It will be our 1st trip to FW and my little stepson's 1st time! He is 5 and so excited!

It looks like we'll be at the Fort at the same time. We'll be heading down on the 7th and staying for 10 nights. It will be our DDs first time at Disney and now that she knows we're going she can't wait. She's 4 so we're planning to max out on Princess activities while we're down there. The hard part now is the wait. But I'm not sure who the wait is harder on - her or us.

 

[sirenia88]

Howdy!

Well The route planning is still going on. We are seriously thinking about going 78, 81, 77, 26, 95, 4. We are now planning on leaving Friday. Take a 3 day 2 night ride to not to over do the drive plus we have extra time built into our vacation. We are figuring a stop in VA on Friday night and a stop somewhere in SC/GA on Saturday night.

The other option to go I81, R15, I270, to 95 is also being highly considered as well. Friends from Charlotte thinks the first route would be the way since they come up this way on a regular basis with their camper. They also went to Disney from their home in Charlotte and felt it was a descent ride. Plus we are building in an extra night so we have some flexibility in the travel planning.

Counting down the days to Disney...

 

[jbrostek]

One thing I will note, fromt he I270 spur through VA right now they are busy building HOT lanes (HOV/TOLL) and regularly shut down lanes mid-day and night outside of rush hour die to the construction. So be aware once connect to the outer loop of the beltway from just a few miles south of the American Legion Briday through VA to reconnect with I95 that your going to follow the entire HOT lane construction which includes lots of lane shifts.

If your not big on pulling grades, stay off I64 from 81, while its gorgious, its a long uphill pull just before Rt29.

81 to Rt17 in Winchester, and popping out on I95 in fredrickburg just north of richmond is not a bad deal either and no major grades to cross and it stays just outside of most of the DC suburbia.

I am in Prince William Count, VA, and we go down every year and even being online miles from 66, we actually take 236 with all of its lights to get to I95 south of most of the traffic headaches of DC. Like other stop at KOA Point South about 33 miles north of the GA boarder for the first night, and then its about 6-7 hours with a lunch break to get to Disney.

 

[KristinU]

One thing I will note, fromt he I270 spur through VA right now they are busy building HOT lanes (HOV/TOLL) and regularly shut down lanes mid-day and night outside of rush hour die to the construction. So be aware once connect to the outer loop of the beltway from just a few miles south of the American Legion Briday through VA to reconnect with I95 that your going to follow the entire HOT lane construction which includes lots of lane shifts.

If your not big on pulling grades, stay off I64 from 81, while its gorgious, its a long uphill pull just before Rt29.

81 to Rt17 in Winchester, and popping out on I95 in fredrickburg just north of richmond is not a bad deal either and no major grades to cross and it stays just outside of most of the DC suburbia.

Thanks for the HOT info!

We did the 81 to Rt 17 pick up 95 in Fredricksburg route in April and will definitely repeat it again. Not only do you avoid the DC suburbs, but not having to go around south of Harrisburg is really nice too...for some reason we always miss a turn there! Staying on 81 is much easier.

 

[jbrostek]

The interchange in Harrisburg has gotten me in the past as well.

Glad to pass that along, I live in the area and am used to the patterns and still do everything possible to stay off the beltways with the RV or towing a trailer. They say it will be done late 2012, I think new years eve 2012 at best. The next headache is they are talking about extending this project on I95S with a 9 mile extension of the HOV lanes and then turning them into HOT lanes....so youll still want to use the 17 bypass if that gets funded and started.

http://www.vahotlanes.com/i95/project-info/

 

[KristinU]

The interchange in Harrisburg has gotten me in the past as well.

I'm so happy to hear that we aren't the only ones!

 

[sirenia88]

I love necro threading It's October and we can be zombies for Mickey's Not so scary halloween party. I think I will roll the dice and take the 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 to 4 route. My friends in Charlotte will be happy to hear about that. The longer grades should not be too hard on the F150. There are some hilly sections of 81. If I had more consistent employment, there would have probably been a vehicle upgrade. Plus it gets a regular maintenance package so I am not worried. However, my DW will get her first taste behind the wheel with the trailer in tow.

jbrostek, I am cool with grades then again I might not be playing with the full deck . I know where you are coming from. Normally, I use my scangauge to monitor vitals on the trans temp, water temp, RPM, etc to keep an eye on things. I make sure I the keep vitals in check. Thank you for the information in the VA area especially in DC.

 

[jbrostek]

I try to help, I am sure others are paying attention to the thread, so the heads up can help them adjust their driving plan on an as needed basis as they plan their trips. I know I have a countdown to mine going all the time.

And after doing the I64 climb in a my diesel pusher towing about 5k of trailer up that grade it was a long slow climb....beautiful, but slow climb to the top.

 

[jeepfreak]

We used to do 95 all the way down from Ma. but the tolls alone were enough to find another way($151.00 total down and back) thats MH and Toad. Last 3 times gone Ma Pike (90) to 84 to 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 to 4. Only real long pull is 77 going north. Total tolls on that route were ma. pike 5.75 each way and 5 for the Newburg bridge. And it's only about 75 miles longer.

 

[GoSox50]

We also go to the Fort from Mass and have gone the 84/81/77/26/95 route but it was always in the summer. We will be heading to the Fort around Thanksgiving this year and were concerned about the weather going this way. Is this something we should be concerned with? Should we do the 95 route all the way to Florida and back? We have a motorhome and not thrilled with the idea of paying all the tolls on 95. Appreciate any feedback.

 

[jbrostek]

Having lived in NY and MA before moving south, I have never really had an issue with the highways and weather. Unless your traveling in the middle of the storm, states north of MD are pretty darn good at keeping major roadways open and clear. Though you may want to find a way to wash down the RV if you have to travel back on all the road salts.

 

[sirenia88]

Hi,

So much information flowing. Jbro, you got some good info there. I pretty much decided to take 81 route. Hopefully some nice fall foliage for the drive down. DW made yet another call to the fort. The loop has been requested. Another 14 days and the road trip will have begun.

So any stop over spots in VA that are recommended on the I 81 route?

 

[jbrostek]

Hey if I can share what I do know to save the frustration of other travelers it works for me. I hope others can chime in on what they know on the way south. But I will likely post in December to see what construction zones exist south of Richmond on I95 since that is our planned path.

As for stops, I do not have any since due to my starting location I can usually leave the state before I shutdown for the evening.

 

[sirenia88]

Hello,

We are now into final preparations for roll out to our first trip to FW as family unit. My DW was there in the late 90's during a spring break trip. Of course the small things that get in the way like new tires for the tow vehicle. DD had an ear infection and DW has a sinus infection. However, the trailer is packed just need to pack the perishables and clothes. Everything else packed. The DGPs and DA are ready to go as well. The DGP vehicle has been serviced and good to go.

The trip route is planned. We places to stay for the 2 overnight stops we are going to making as well. So far so good. T minus 3 days. In 72 hours I hope to be asleep in my trailer in VA Otherwise the excitement has been building for what should be a most memorable trip.

Just keep swimming...

 

[2goofycampers]

Safe travels! Have loads of fun!

 

[KristinU]

Have a BLAST! Safe Travels!!!

 

[heartsy77]

AGH I can't decide! We are leaving Binghamton NY @ 2am Sat to make it to SC by late afternoon!