Community Forums

creativead · 08-15-2016, 08:20 PM

Taking a trip next summer from Atlanta to Acadia NP and looking for the best way to avoid I-95 in and around NY & NJ. Any assistance provided would be welcome!

35' 92 Bounder DP with Jeep Wrangler Toad. Thanks

plasma800 · 08-15-2016, 10:47 PM

sorry, meant like this

take 287 up and over the tappanzee bridge, then reconnect with 95 for a short while in CT.

JFXG · 08-15-2016, 11:27 PM

Creativ...... 85 Charlotte, 77 - 81 Scranton, 84-90-495 north around Boston, 95 to Maine.

A few extra miles, a much nicer ride.

John & Diane, fulltiming since '12 02 DS, FL, Cat330, '04 Element NHSO RVM103

DrDaveMA · 08-15-2016, 11:30 PM

From Atlanta we go north on I-75 to I-81 in Knoxville. We follow I-81 all the way to Scranton where we turn east on I-84 to the Massachusetts Turnpike. Get off at I-495 to avoid Boston traffic or go a bit further to I-95 through New Hampshire into Maine. In Scranton we stop at Mohegan Sun - Poconos to dry camp in their parking lot. They have multiple restaurants in the casino so you can grab a meal and drop a few $$$. The casino is located near the interstate, but about 2 miles from the exit. We were last through there in April and there was a lot of construction so just go slow and follow the signs. As you head north there is a Flying J just before you get back on I-81.

With this route you avoid all the major cities except Hartford, so watch what time you go through there. You also need to watch for deer going through Pennsylvania at both dawn and dusk. There is only 1 toll bridge that you will encounter, we have EZ Pass so I can't tell you how much it is but unless you hit it at rush hour you probably will not run into too much of a back up, and it certainly will be less than the other bridges across the Hudson that are closer to NYC. The only their tolls you will encounter are on the Mass Turnpike. From I-84 to Boston is not very much even if you are towing.

I recommend you stay off I-95 in New York and Connecticut as much as you can.

G.G. · 08-16-2016, 07:52 AM

We just traveled from PA to Acadia, but stopping in Mystic CT and other places first on our way up. As suggested, we were advised on this forum to stay off I-95 until well into CT. DH didn't heed the advice, so we went 287 over the Tappan Zee Bridge. It was a total zoo, and 95 was horrible in CT. I would not go that way again, especially if you're going straight to Maine & not stopping anywhere else first for a visit. There is a recent thread about this which will give you some very good info about routes.

JFXG · 08-16-2016, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDaveMA

..... From Atlanta we go north on I-75 to I-81 in Knoxville.........

There is only 1 toll bridge that you will encounter, we have EZ Pass so I can't tell you how much it is.......

The only their tolls you will encounter are on the Mass Turnpike. From I-84 to Boston is not very much even if you are towing........

I recommend you stay off I-95 in New York and Connecticut as much as you can.

creative..... I suggested the I-77 routing because where you live in Cumming is far more convenient and aligned with that route. Only 4 hrs to Charlotte--- traffic shouldn't be a problem.

The Newburgh NY bridge on I-84 was a $9 toll on our EZPass when we went through there in April.

Mass Pike (I-90) toll from I-84 to I-495 was cheap, like a buck or so.

X2 with DrDave re staying off I-95 in NY and western CT. From the Tappan Zee down I-287 to Port Chester and then out I-95 to about New Haven is some of the worst PITA highway anywhere. That, combined with I-684 (cracked, broken, uneven pavement) from White Plains up to I-84 in Brewster make that whole area a place to avoid for travelers. I never even consider the Tappan Zee anymore.

John & Diane, fulltiming since '12 02 DS, FL, Cat330, '04 Element NHSO RVM103

creativead · 08-18-2016, 10:22 AM

Thanks everyone for the input. I believe we have a very good route planned out that will keep us away from I-95 as much as possible.

affreeman · 08-18-2016, 10:28 AM

Skip the whole mess of I-95 north of DC by swinging west to I-81. I-81 north to Scranton PA then I-84 east through Connecticut and up to the Mass Pike (I-90). I-90 east to I-495 north to I-95 in Maine.

There's even an easy way to avoid Hartford CT but this is the general route and I'll leave it as is for now.