Trip from Richmond, VA to Boston

[Roo4216]

Hey everyone! New to this group but I've loved looking at past posts that folks have made. I've learned a lot.

My family and I are looking at taking a road trip April 4th, 2020 through April 11th, 2020 from Richmond, VA to the New England area. We would most likely stop halfway maybe around Philly as I don't think I can drive the whole way. When in New England we wanted to visit Boston, cape cod, and maybe drive to Kennebunkport. The question I have is should we drive all the way up 95 or take 81? We will leave very early on the 4th so I don't think DC would be an issue. However, I'm not looking forward to driving in NYC the next day. It would be great to get around that.

Also, what are some good campgrounds in the New England area for a family of 4 and a dog? Any must-see attractions?

I'm pulling a 30' Travel Trailer so not too big.

Any other helpful hints would be great!

Thanks so much!!!

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Not being from that area I can't help but wanted to say hello! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[RI Expat]

I-81 to bypass NYC is a no brainer...except some stretches are a little rough with poor pavement. Campgrounds in New England close down for the season early, so make sure you make positive reservations. There is a KOA in Mystic CT that is open year round. Overnighting at Walmart or other businesses is not allowed by local ordinances.

Search this forum for other mentions of New England as this topic has been explored in various ways in the past months as folks planned foliage trips, etc.

There are campgrounds in NJ along the Turnpike close to where you would exit to bypass NYC that are a very reasonable distance from Richmond. I've stayed around there when departing from the Fredericksburg area. On my last trip, I hit NJ at such a reasonable hour that I drove straight through from Providence RI.

Have some 'chowda' for me when you get there!

[Roo4216]

Thank you so much!

[doc]

I would NOT go thru DC and certainly NOT New York City. _I-81 is not the best road in the nation but the traffic so much better than the other two places.

[TonyDi]

I travel that corridor several time a year and the trick to I-95 is timing. If you get to DC at rush hour, be patient as it is a parking lot. Mid day and you can usually run right through it. Cross in NJ and stay on I-95 until you get to the Garden State Parkway. When you cross into NY I-287 north that will avoid the NYC traffic. Then take the Mass Tpk. It's a tad long but traffic is bearable.

I-95 thru NYC is hideous. Bad roads and very heavy traffic.

[Roo4216]

Thanks TonyDi. I would agree on timing. I've drove through DC many times and if your hit it right it's not bad. It was NYC I was worried about. Sounds like you're given me a great option! Thanks again!

[rosebud1218]

Originally Posted by Roo4216

Hey everyone! New to this group but I've loved looking at past posts that folks have made. I've learned a lot.

My family and I are looking at taking a road trip April 4th, 2020 through April 11th, 2020 from Richmond, VA to the New England area. We would most likely stop halfway maybe around Philly as I don't think I can drive the whole way. When in New England we wanted to visit Boston, cape cod, and maybe drive to Kennebunkport. The question I have is should we drive all the way up 95 or take 81? We will leave very early on the 4th so I don't think DC would be an issue. However, I'm not looking forward to driving in NYC the next day. It would be great to get around that.

Also, what are some good campgrounds in the New England area for a family of 4 and a dog? Any must-see attractions?

I'm pulling a 30' Travel Trailer so not too big.

Any other helpful hints would be great!

Thanks so much!!!

Hello - heading south from Boston area next month. Planning to avoid RT 95 travel until South Carolina; the MA to VA routing:

90 (Mass Pike) => 84 => 287 => 78 (Mountainview CG) Milford, NJ 324 miles
78 => 81 (Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley) 289 Miles

For campgrounds and what you are interested in seeing, I'd suggest a look at Wampatuck State Park in Hingham, MA. It's only a 26 mile drive to Plymouth, MA (celebrating 400th anniversary of Pilgrim Landing in 2020) and from Plymouth yu can actually take a day ferry to Provincetown, MA (Tip of Cape Cod) or continue driving from Plymouth towards Cape Cod. Wampatuck is also a short car ride to the Hingham Ferry into Boston - great way to get into Boston while avoiding insane traffic.

[rosebud1218]

Hi Roo4216 - found out that Wampatuck doesn't open until early May. I've heard good things about Normandy Farms CG in Attleboro - about 30 miles south of Boston.

[Roo4216]

Thanks Rosebud.

For campgrounds we were thinking of the KOA or Boston Minuteman Campground. As for campgrounds I would like full hookups as having two kids the grays takes gets filled up pretty quickly.

The main thing is we wanted to see Cape Cod, Plymouth, downtown Boston, maybe catch a Redsox game. Maybe going to martha's vineyard.

How far of a drive is to from the Boston area to Kennebunkport?


Thanks for the route and the ferry info. I think that might work really well.

[Air Conditioned Gypsy]

We stayed at Boston Minuteman last year. It is really tight getting in and out. If you are comfortable backing up and maneuvering, you will be ok with your 30 footer, just be careful and be sure to have a few leveling blocks.

Regards.

Chuck

[Roo4216]

Thanks Chuck. Really good to know!

Originally Posted by Air Conditioned Gypsy

We stayed at Boston Minuteman last year. It is really tight getting in and out. If you are comfortable backing up and maneuvering, you will be ok with your 30 footer, just be careful and be sure to have a few leveling blocks.

Regards.

Chuck

[rosebud1218]

Originally Posted by Roo4216

Thanks Rosebud.

For campgrounds we were thinking of the KOA or Boston Minuteman Campground. As for campgrounds I would like full hookups as having two kids the grays takes gets filled up pretty quickly.

The main thing is we wanted to see Cape Cod, Plymouth, downtown Boston, maybe catch a Redsox game. Maybe going to martha's vineyard.

How far of a drive is to from the Boston area to Kennebunkport?


Thanks for the route and the ferry info. I think that might work really well.

Hello -
Kennebunkport is about 90 miles north of Boston, but given the length of your trip and interests in Boston, Cape, & the Islands you'll have lots to squeeze into the time available.

I was looking on trip wizard and noted that the "Cape Cod KOA," is in Middleboro, close to, but not on the Cape would, similar to Normandy Farms give you proximity to Plymouth, Cape Cod (including the ferries from Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket), and Boston. The commuter rail can take you into Boston and has, I believe, stops in Middleboro and near Normandy Farms (close to NE Patriots/Foxboro Stadium).
Red Sox home opener is April 2nd and the Boston Bruins close their season against Carolina on 4/4.

Enjoy your planning and your trip - and let me know if you have any other questions about the area that I might be able to answer.

BTW - we're spending two days in Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley KOA, and if you have thoughts/suggestions about the area - I'd be grateful.

Dan

[Roo4216]

Originally Posted by rosebud1218

Hello -
Kennebunkport is about 90 miles north of Boston, but given the length of your trip and interests in Boston, Cape, & the Islands you'll have lots to squeeze into the time available.

I was looking on trip wizard and noted that the "Cape Cod KOA," is in Middleboro, close to, but not on the Cape would, similar to Normandy Farms give you proximity to Plymouth, Cape Cod (including the ferries from Woods Hole to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket), and Boston. The commuter rail can take you into Boston and has, I believe, stops in Middleboro and near Normandy Farms (close to NE Patriots/Foxboro Stadium).
Red Sox home opener is April 2nd and the Boston Bruins close their season against Carolina on 4/4.

Enjoy your planning and your trip - and let me know if you have any other questions about the area that I might be able to answer.

BTW - we're spending two days in Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley KOA, and if you have thoughts/suggestions about the area - I'd be grateful.

Dan

Thanks, Dan! Question, what is the trip wizard? Is this part of iRV2? As for Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley KOA, you can go to Luray Caverns or Grand Caverns, or Endless Caverns. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

It's about 40mins away and I recommend reservations but if you like horseback I highly recommend Fort Valley Ranch. They are really nice and it's a wonderful ride through the mountain.

There is also Virginia Museum of the Civil War in New Market. There is also a resort called Massanutten that has a lot to do!