Driving advice

[Jojodancer54]

We are driving from northern Vermont to southern Florida this winter and would like suggestions for a route through Pennsylvania that avoids 95. One traveler said he traveled from MA to Harrisburg PA and took 81 but he was only going as far as Hilton Head. How far can we travel on 81 on our way to Ft Myers FL? Thanks.

 

[siren0119]

Following because we are making the drive from MA to Disney in August and I'm a fan of avoiding 95 as well!

 

[rwdavis2]

Have you checked out google maps? That’s the best way to check the route.

 

[siren0119]

Have you checked out google maps? That’s the best way to check the route.

I had a little extra time and did that - it looks like you can take 81 down to nearly the North Carolina border. 81 veers west south of Pulaski, VA so you have to pick up Route 77 to head south toward Florida. Route 77 can get you down to Columbia, SC and then you would pick up 26 until you get to 95.

From my area that added about 2 hours to the trip, but depending on traffic levels it might even out for my drive. Good to have in the back pocket!

 

[OKW Lover]

Before moving to Orlando we made the trip from Plymouth MA about 7-8 times. We took the inland route (through Harrisburg and 81) about half the time, usually on the return trip. Its a very easy drive along that route with little worries about big city traffic like you have on I-95. Despite being more miles, its usually faster.

Noticed that the OP is going to Ft Myers witch is on the west coast of FL so switching over to 95 from that in-land route is probably going to take them out of the way. Instead they would want to get to I-75. Perhaps 81 to 85 to 75? or simply 81 all the way to 75? Either way takes you through Atlanta so the timing of that segment would be critical.

 

[siren0119]

Before moving to Orlando we made the trip from Plymouth MA about 7-8 times. We took the inland route (through Harrisburg and 81) about half the time, usually on the return trip. Its a very easy drive along that route with little worries about big city traffic like you have on I-95. Despite being more miles, its usually faster.

Noticed that the OP is going to Ft Myers witch is on the west coast of FL so switching over to 95 from that in-land route is probably going to take them out of the way. Instead they would want to get to I-75. Perhaps 81 to 85 to 75? or simply 81 all the way to 75? Either way takes you through Atlanta so the timing of that segment would be critical.

Did you take the Mass Pike over to 81 or cut through CT? We are in North Attleboro, so closer to the RI border but it might be 6/half dozen for us to either cut west in RI or go north to the Pike and then grab 81 there.

 

[OKW Lover]

Did you take the Mass Pike over to 81 or cut through CT? We are in North Attleboro, so closer to the RI border but it might be 6/half dozen for us to either cut west in RI or go north to the Pike and then grab 81 there.

Going we typically took 95 to Stamford area and then cut over north of NYC. Can't recall the actual route numbers. But coming back via Harrisburg we typically cam back either through Hartford (I-84) or via the Pike from whatever that route is in NY.

 

[siren0119]

Going we typically took 95 to Stamford area and then cut over north of NYC. Can't recall the actual route numbers. But coming back via Harrisburg we typically cam back either through Hartford (I-84) or via the Pike from whatever that route is in NY.

You might have taken 278 (toward the Tappan Zee Bridge) - we have lots of family in north Jersey and know all too well to avoid the XBronx as much as possible. I'll have to look at the times we'd be leaving and see if cutting over near 278 would make more sense.

 

[OKW Lover]

You might have taken 278 (toward the Tappan Zee Bridge) -

That sounds right!