New Englanders - what does your typical drive down look like?

[MadFF]

dfg, that looks like a pretty good route. About how long is the travel time from the Tappan Zee Bridge to Disney for you?

 

[dfg02790]

About 20 hours drive time.

 

[mrsscooter]

Just a thought, but we felt more "comfortable" joining AAA Plus, and we have tossed around the ideo of joing Good Sam Club, but not sure on that one. Also, I would get a copy of Woodalls, which is a guide to area campgrounds in the areas that you are traveling. They have an East Coast and Southern versions that we bought last year. They also have a midwest and West Coast version as well. They are great because if you want to find a place to stay for the night, you just look up your state and the highway that your on and it will list campgrounds in the city that your in. It has details about the campground, like amentities, services, and also is rated on cleanliness, etc. Also gives prices. We use it alot and pull it out call up whatever looks good in our area and see if they have any vacancies. You can get them at Amazon for a lot cheaper than most places. Also, the AAA thing is good because they give you free trip ticks that plan your route. They will ask you your beginning and ending destinations, if you want the "fastest" route or the "easiest" route. They can also tell you what areas are under heavy construction. We use them all the time. If you want a detailed route, let me know and I will email you one of ours. My husband is very anal when it comes to his maps and having backup routes, etc. Let me know if we can help in anyway. ***Sorry if any of this info is old hat to you guys, but I know when we first had our tt we were up for any and all info available. LOL

 

[seabee]

We take 287w over the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Garden State Parkway.(exit 14a) to New Jersey Parkway (exit 129) to Delaware Memorial Bridge route 295 which becomes 95 in Maryland.Follow 95 to 695w to Francis Scott Key bridge(exit 33/64)(This lets you bypass the tunnel).Follow 695 to 97S to Annapolis.Pick up route 301/50 which becomes 301s.Stay on this route to Ruther Glen Va.Pick up 207 to 95s.(This allows you to avoid DC traffic)
Follow 95 to rte 4 in Fl to Disney.
We will be leaving on 4/13 to Disney.We will spend 8 days with our son and his family in Disney and then travel across country for a couple of months.

Do you find this route to take less time than trying to just go through Balt./DC? Also, how are those roads? Obviously they must not be bad if you drive it, but just curious for my own decision making. Thanks!

 

[disney4dan]

We've tried several different paths, and will be taking the Rte 84 to Rte 81 route this time with our trailer I think. Just a lot more scenic. Some hills in PA, but nothing too bad for August.

We'll pick up Rte 17 in Winchester and reconnect with Rte 95 at Fredericksburg and plan on staying in Fredericksburg, VA for the first night (About 10 hrs we figure). Then we plan on the South Savannah KOA for the second night. We've driven through the night before with little ones, and it was not bad because we took turns with the driving. However, now that we have the trailer, I am the only one who drives and I figure 10 hours is all I want to do in a day. We'll see how much vacation fever hits and if I want to keep pushing.

I also have fond memories of taking a leisurely time along the coast when going down with my parents in their trailer. Went to the Lewes/Cape May Ferry, then across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel, outer banks, etc. and took secondary roads the whole way. It was an awesome trip.

 

[seabee]

We usually stop somewhere between 10-11 hours. The kids do great, but I don't want to push it. Besides, at that point, I am itchin to stop too! Where are you leaving from Dan? We did 84-81-64-95 last time, I wonder if 17 would have been better. We did have some hills on 84 in PA, but it was 64 that was the killer! Plus, I am pretty much weighted out, that makes a difference. It was a pretty drive though.

 

[disney4dan]

We're in North/Central MA so we tend to take Rte 2 to Rte 91 south and pick up Rte 84 in the Hartford area. I hate Hartford, and discovered this route that brings me by the Barkhamstead Reservoir out in the sticks of CT. That is the scenic drive that will let me take Rte 8 down to Rte 84 in Waterbury, then out.

I think I took Rte 64 through the mtns once, and it would not be fun with my current combo either. We have a 29 foot Jayco that weighs about 7,000 pounds fully loaded and my truck is rated for 7,200 pounds towing. I am actually flying the oldest and his buddy down this trip, so we'll just have the two little ones in the back seat on this trip. This combo worked fine going to the White Mountains last fall, but I was not afraid to drop it into 2nd gear once in a while and let the RPM work to my advantage. The 240 hp is a lot more than the gas engines had when I was a kid. Heck, I remember one trip when we towed a 24 foot trailer to FL as kids with a Chevy half-ton with a straight six cylinder engine and a 3 speed on the column. Dad said it pulled better than his next truck which was a half ton ford with the small V-8 and automatic.

The in-laws just took Rte 17 from Winchester earlier this spring and said it was nice, a couple of traffic lights. I like to use Windows Live Search and was able to follow the whole route looking at air photos. Mostly scenic country road and some very accessible looking gas stations along the way.

 

[seabee]

Excellent, just the info I was looking for. My DH grew up in the Worcester area.We have family in Fitchburg and Upton now. Anywhere near you? Have a fun trip!!

 

[disney4dan]

Yeah, we've got family in the Fitchburg area as well. We're just west of there in Templeton. Great little area, good schools and still sort of rural.

Hope your next trip goes well!

 

[wdwbound]

dfg02790...
We have gone 695w to go totally AROUND Baltimore (as per AAA) and when you mentioned 695w that is what I thought until I couldn't find the connecting routes you mentioned, but checked 695e and then figured it out. My question is, how is the driving on 301s? I would like to try this route when we leave in 3 weeks as we absolutely HATE that Virginia interchange and the construction on 95.
Why would AAA route someone the other way if this is better?

Nancy

 

[LarryJ]

We've tried several different paths, and will be taking the Rte 84 to Rte 81 route this time with our trailer I think. Just a lot more scenic. Some hills in PA, but nothing too bad for August.

We'll pick up Rte 17 in Winchester and reconnect with Rte 95 at Fredericksburg and plan on staying in Fredericksburg, VA for the first night (About 10 hrs we figure). Then we plan on the South Savannah KOA for the second night. We've driven through the night before with little ones, and it was not bad because we took turns with the driving. However, now that we have the trailer, I am the only one who drives and I figure 10 hours is all I want to do in a day. We'll see how much vacation fever hits and if I want to keep pushing.

I also have fond memories of taking a leisurely time along the coast when going down with my parents in their trailer. Went to the Lewes/Cape May Ferry, then across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel, outer banks, etc. and took secondary roads the whole way. It was an awesome trip.

I always take route 17 down to Fredricksburg. However I live a mile from Rt. 29 about 20 miles east of Warrenton. I haven't checked out the distances but my dealer is in Fredrick, Md which is on I-70 and a great way to get around D.C. is to take 15 south out of Fredrick to US 29 then west on 29 to US 17 and for those diesel owners there is a Quarles Truck stop on 29 just before you turn onto 17S going to Fredricksburg. It's around 50 miles from Fredrick, Md to Rt 29 and another 30 to 40 miles to Fredricksburg. Route 15 S out of Fredrick does have like 15 miles of two lane, but it's not all that bad but a little windy from Point of Rocks to just outside of Leesburg. You might want to take I-70 east from I-81 and go to Fredrick, Md and follow the route I described above.

Coming back from about 10miles north of Fredrick, Md on US-15 it took me just over 35 min to go from Fredrick, Md to Leesburg, Va. Of course for me an veered off at Rt. 7 in Leesburg to get home. I live within a mile of the junction of I-66 and Rt. 28 about 10 miles south of Dulles Airport.

You will be well advised to avoid at all costs I-95 from Baltimore south and the beltway, especially the eastern portion and I-95 south until you get to around Fredricksburg.

Larry

 

[disney4dan]

Now you've got me thinking Larry, I wonder what Rte 15 south is like coming down from the Harrisburg, PA area? I saw your suggestion to take 70 over from i-81, and just kept looking north on Rte 15. Lots of historic towns along that route.

We were not planning on arriving at the Fort until Aug 5, so we would have time for one more overnight along the way.

If anyone has traveled south on Rte 15 from Harrisburg, PA area, I would like to know if it's scenic and whether there are any huge hills. Not so worried about going up the hills, just don't want to have to stop on a steep incline or overheat on the way down a long incline.

 

[dfg02790]

301 is not a bad drive. Some stop lights,but still much better than going through DC area at any time.Its an enjoyable ride.The motorhome is 32 ft plus we tow and have had no problems on 301.

 

[LarryJ]

Now you've got me thinking Larry, I wonder what Rte 15 south is like coming down from the Harrisburg, PA area? I saw your suggestion to take 70 over from i-81, and just kept looking north on Rte 15. Lots of historic towns along that route.

We were not planning on arriving at the Fort until Aug 5, so we would have time for one more overnight along the way.

If anyone has traveled south on Rte 15 from Harrisburg, PA area, I would like to know if it's scenic and whether there are any huge hills. Not so worried about going up the hills, just don't want to have to stop on a steep incline or overheat on the way down a long incline.

Can't help with the Pa to Md route on 15 and I don't know what your rig is, but it's two lane and not bad road from just outside of point of rocks in Md. to like 15 miles into Va. before you get to Leesburg and from there to I-66/US29 it's a breeze and then it's a no brainer. If you have around a 25' Class C you can stay in my driveway on the way down, power and water is free. I'm just about 15 miles east from the junction of I-15 and US-29. US-29 is like 1 mile north of us and a great road 4 line from almost the beltway to Warrenton.

Larry

 

[MadFF]

Hmmm... some good routes to think about. Looks like I will be cuddling up with a map book tonight!

 

[LarryJ]

Hmmm... some good routes to think about. Looks like I will be cuddling up with a map book tonight!

It's not clear from my signature but my Van is a full sized one maybe 20' and the trailer is almost 32' bumper to ball so that's where I'm coming from. I also saw some semi's on the road, but not many.

Larry

 

[disney4dan]

We've got a half ton truck and 29 foot trailer in tow, so secondary roads look pretty good most of the time. Less trailer sway and more scenery.

With the snow we've had today, I've spent a fair amount of time checking out routes and some time on these boards. It's going to be a long 129 days!

 

[3gr8kids]

Okay, judging from all of the posts, I'm guessing that our planned drive down from Massachusetts (on the NH border) taking only 2 days/1 night isn't too realistic? (We'll be towing a 21' Hybrid).

 

[MadFF]

Hey! Just digging up this thread again.

How is I95 through Richmond while towing a TT? Would it better for me to plan on taking 295 around?

And 3gr8kids, 2 days driving is very doable from what people have told me, just, well, a lot of driving!

I am planning on at least a few extended stops, like for meals, to break up the trip. Along with every 2 hours or so for a break. I used to be able to drive for hours and hours without a break, but I have found the last few years I like to stop for 5-10 minutes to stretch every 2 hours or so.

 

[disney4dan]

We're planning on taking I-84 to I-81 south for a lot of the route, then taking I-77 diagonally over to the coast. I would imagine that any interstate should be pretty easy for the trailer, but I'll defer to others who've done that section of road recently.

We've taken that route without the trailer and done it with one overnight. Made it all the way to Santee SC from northern MA by getting an early start and then stopping at around 10:30 in Santee. Don't know if I would travel that much in one day with the trailer, because I am the only one in the family that is comfortable towing.