Maritimers who've driven for flights! Your advice please.

[coastgirl]

We have booked out of Manchester NH for Jan 25. (I know. Winter driving. My dh loves a challenge. ) I got a triptik from CAA and they suggest going through Saint John and across at St Stephen. (We leave from NS, so have to come up through Moncton before making a decision.) That long desolate road through Maine to Bangor is actually only 95 miles, I guess it just seems longer!! It's significantly longer to go through F'ton, but it leaves us on the I-95, which I guess would be better in winter conditions. But is it worth it? Anyone done this drive in winter/bad weather? We're hoping to get as far as SJ on Tuesday night after dh gets off work (cheap sleeps at MIL's), then spend Wed getting to Manchester for a Thur am flight. (We could also overnight in F'ton as we have family there too.) I'm not happy about driving after dark that time of year, but unless dh takes two extra days off work, we don't have a choice.

Also wondering if anyone has stayed at the Holiday Inn near the airport in Manchester. It's a little pricey, $150/nt, but they'll keep our car for the duration (17 nts); the other place we saw with a "park and fly" only gave a discount for the first week then $8/day thereafter. Any other suggestions welcome!

 

[mbb]

We're driving the Airline....

My parents just got home from California - flew out of Portland, and the road is so much better than it ever was.

All those twisty bits have been widened and repaved.

If the weather is snowy at all, though, we're staying put in Portland for the night. I don't think there are too many places to stay, if any, should the weather get worse.

HTH!

 

[coastgirl]

We're driving the Airline....
HTH!

I know I should know which route that is...that's the one from St Stephen, right? (Don't remember the highway # but it's not the interstate.)

Good luck, I'll be looking for your report when you get back!!

 

[mbb]

I know I should know which route that is...that's the one from St Stephen, right? (Don't remember the highway # but it's not the interstate.)

Good luck, I'll be looking for your report when you get back!!

Yep

Rte 9

Pixie dust for all us winter weather drivers in search of great fares!! LOL!

 

[tribus121]

in good weather i would travel rte 9 but If the weather forcast is bad I would Drive ( and have )the extra distance to Houlton and then strait down 95 But as other posters have said the Airline (9)is a much improved Highway but it still is a 2 lane state road not an 4 lane Interstate

 

[McKiggan]

I drove Route 9 in the winter at night during Spring Break in college (Feb.) several times. It is NOT for the faint of heart (the things you will do to get to a beach when you are a student).

The roads have been improved (slightly) since I did it but there are still long stretches of dark roads that would be a challenge even without snow. There are also stretches that are not salted (sand only) so traction/ice is a concern.

Good luck.