Long Island to The Fort.....

[DISNEY FIX]

Any suggestions or comments on routing to get our RV to The Fort? Living on LI I was going to take 495 to the Clearview Expy. Over Throgs and GWB to 95 south for forever. Lastly I4 exiting on Bonnet Creek Parkway to Vista to FW Trail.
In NY big RV's cant do parkways. Any problems with Bonnet Creek Parkway, overpasses or is there a better way????

We are going to leave home at 9 or 10PM. Is that an optimal time to miss traffic in DC? What else do I need to watch out for or tricks and tips.

Thanks a ton.

 

[91oldkeywest]

If you want to avoid D.C. and the tolls in Delaware,Maryland for 95 and bridges you can use 301,pick up at exit 1 in Delaware and stay till Richmond or pick up 50 which takes you to 495 around D.C. to 95 in Virginia.

 

[parrothead64]

Leaving at that time is fine, I left at 11PM a couple years ago from South Jersey and we didn't hit any traffic. Don't forget you can't go through the tunnels in Baltimore if you have propane on board, have to use Francis Scott Key Bridge (695). I also go around Jacksonville on 195, but I have heard that it is better now, but up to you. Don't know how far you are going each day, but I got to Exit 1 in GA and the Fort is only 3 hours away.

 

[CDNCruiser]

Some folks from the NYC area take I-78 to I-81 at Harrisburg PA then follow I-81 south to I-77 in VA then take I-77 to I-26 and catch I-95 in SC

It will add 85 miles or so to your overall trip but you avoid Philly, Baltimore & DC - in fact, you don't pass through and really large cities! Plus, it takes you through the Shenandoah Valley, it's a pretty route!

Driving through the heart of Jacksonville FL is much better now, still some construction, but the worst is over.

 

[jbrostek]

Its been a long time for me since I had to travel from LI southbound. I am not sure if the Throgs to GW is any better then sticking with 495 out the Verrazanos though I know the tolls on the VZ bridge would be ugh, so if GW avoids the tolls, thats the better route.

If you leave there going via the GW you are about 4 hours from the GW to the top side of Baltimore, that lands you lapping the baltimore beltway (no propane allowed in the tunnels) about 2pm for baltimore, 3pm youll be nearing the south side of DC and likely to hit traffic during the work week. You may want to opt for the I81 route to I77 back to I95 to avoid most of that or taking 301 for some of the trip.

I will say when you get to Richmond, follow 295 around the city, taking 95 through is like revisiting the BQE.....actually the BQE may have less potholes.

Rather then take Bonnet Creek Parkway (which unlike LI is not a low bridge non commercial route) and having to make a sharp right into the Fort, I prefer to pass under the gates on World Drive. So I actually take exit 64 (following the signs to MK) onto 192 (Bronson Memorial Highway) which has a nice smooth exit for RVs onto World drive. Then after passing under the gates, stay to the right as you approach the Magic Kingdom booths and use the 2nd lane next to the bus lane and follow the signs to FW. Then its a nice broad left hander into FW which for me with the 40' 5er is a lot easier then when I came the other way up Vista Blvd and made the right hander into FW.

 

[parrothead64]

If you leave there going via the GW you are about 4 hours from the GW to the top side of Baltimore, that lands you lapping the baltimore beltway (no propane allowed in the tunnels) about 2pm for baltimore, 3pm youll be nearing the south side of DC and likely to hit traffic during the work week. You may want to opt for the I81 route to I77 back to I95 to avoid most of that or taking 301 for some of the trip.

.

He said he is leaving at 10PM, not in the morning.

 

[jbrostek]

Missed that. At 0300 in DC, should be ok actually. Other then possible construction.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Rather then take Bonnet Creek Parkway (which unlike LI is not a low bridge non commercial route) and having to make a sharp right into the Fort, I prefer to pass under the gates on World Drive. So I actually take exit 64 (following the signs to MK) onto 192 (Bronson Memorial Highway) which has a nice smooth exit for RVs onto World drive. Then after passing under the gates, stay to the right as you approach the Magic Kingdom booths and use the 2nd lane next to the bus lane and follow the signs to FW. Then its a nice broad left hander into FW which for me with the 40' 5er is a lot easier then when I came the other way up Vista Blvd and made the right hander into FW.

Sold will do!
Gotta get other stuff right too.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Some folks from the NYC area take I-78 to I-81 at Harrisburg PA then follow I-81 south to I-77 in VA then take I-77 to I-26 and catch I-95 in SC

It will add 85 miles or so to your overall trip but you avoid Philly, Baltimore & DC - in fact, you don't pass through and really large cities! Plus, it takes you through the Shenandoah Valley, it's a pretty route!

If our trip times change we may do that, thank you.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . What else do I need to watch out for or tricks and tips . . .

TIP: If you hit the Keys, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean Sea, you drove too far.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

TIP: If you hit the Keys, Gulf of Mexico, or Caribbean Sea, you drove too far.

......you
......got
......yuks
......today

 

[jbrostek]

Sold will do!
Gotta get other stuff right too.

Choices are 95-4 or 87-81-77-95-4. Really depending on departure and if you plan to stop at some point of the night. I81 at the lesser end and I77 does have some grades to climb compared to I95, but nothing too horrible. Just something to be aware of.

Either way you end up on I4 to Disney.

I don't know how much fuel you hold or use, but I have an aux tank and prefer to stop and fill up in SC since fuel prices in FL are usually higher. The capacity I can hold (stock tank plus 45 gallons) allows me to skip the more expensive states when it comes to diesel prices. It saves a little but every dollar counts if I can save some.

 

[hushupu]

I would listen to 1010 WINS and if there is traffic on the Cross Bronx or GWB you can take the BQE across to the Varrenzano and across Staten Island to the Goethels to the the NJTP. It would stink to start out your trip stuck for a long time on the Cross Bronx.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

I would listen to 1010 WINS and if there is traffic on the Cross Bronx or GWB you can take the BQE across to the Varrenzano and across Staten Island to the Goethels to the the NJTP. It would stink to start out your trip stuck for a long time on the Cross Bronx.

Good thinking. Thanks
Do you guys use any apps in particular? I plan on just using google maps w route I planned out thanks to you guys. Definitely not straying off main roads at all due to height we are 12-6.

 

[jbrostek]

Sticking with truck routes is the best way. If you are looking for a phone traffic app, Waze is the most popular and will GPS route you as well. I actually don't use a traffic apps, I just run a stand along GPS with current POI and map updates even though I know the way. It has been useful a couple times where searching maps on my phone has not given me the result I was looking for as quickly.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

I'm almost done with the questions...
Who has what preferences....
Am I better off staying east or west around
Baltimore
Washington
Richmond
Jacksonville

Im currently thinking
695 east of Baltimore
495 west of Washington
295 east of Richmond
Currently straight thru Jacksonville on 95
None of this is based any expertise that I possess.

 

[parrothead64]

I'm almost done with the questions...
Who has what preferences....
Am I better off staying east or west around
Baltimore
Washington
Richmond
Jacksonville

Im currently thinking
695 east of Baltimore
495 west of Washington
295 east of Richmond
Currently straight thru Jacksonville on 95
None of this is based any expertise that I possess.

East on 695 around Baltimore
I would go East around Washington, road is better and less turns. Drivers seem crazier over on the West side.
You can only go East around Richmond I believe at least on the Interstae back to 95.
and Jacksonville is up to you, I usually go East on 295.

 

[SteadyEddy]

Has anyone taken 295 south straight through the middle of Washington DC ?
I'm coming down 95 from Baltimore, and will be on the DC 495/I95 beltway around 3:30 am on a Wednesday morning, and 295 looks to be an efficient way to get through DC if the road is in good shape.
Anyone have any recent experience with this ?

I used to go this way in a car several years ago, and it seemed to cut a decent amount of miles and time versus going around the 495/95 loop. I know that since then, they have done a lot of work on 295, but I don't know what the current condition is for that road, especially for a 36 foot motor home.

Ed

 

[jbrostek]

295 from MD to the lower half of DC is not worth it in an RV if you ask me. 9 times out of 10 even in a car I will take 95S over 295S to avoid DC as a local plus 295 is now a 45mph zone from Route 450 to till the 695 interchange. Keep in mind, at the BW Parkway (as its known) is restricted from commericial traffic from north of Fort Meade south to US50. The overpasses are similar to those of LI parkway system. so I am weary of driving anyting of tall height on that section of the road, though I have seen some busses doing so.

 

[Judique]

295 from MD to the lower half of DC is not worth it in an RV if you ask me. 9 times out of 10 even in a car I will take 95S over 295S to avoid DC as a local plus 295 is now a 45mph zone from Route 450 to till the 695 interchange. Keep in mind, at the BW Parkway (as its known) is restricted from commericial traffic from north of Fort Meade south to US50. The overpasses are similar to those of LI parkway system. so I am weary of driving anyting of tall height on that section of the road, though I have seen some busses doing so.

295 is just plain slow - most of the time.
(Local to the area)

Also, driving at night - deer everywhere.