Best Route South

[Francis]

I have tried several different routes to go south. Recently I've been taking I-84 to Scranton and then I-81 south to I-77. This has been a fairly good way to go but am getting tired of the mountains.

I was told that it would be easier to pick up the NY Thruway (I-87) in Newburg, NY and go south, then get onto I-287 south to I-78 west.

I would appreciate any comments. I am towing a 30' 5th wheel. I'll be leaving Maine about December 16.

Thanks for any help.
Francis

[Francis]

I have tried several different routes to go south. Recently I've been taking I-84 to Scranton and then I-81 south to I-77. This has been a fairly good way to go but am getting tired of the mountains.

I was told that it would be easier to pick up the NY Thruway (I-87) in Newburg, NY and go south, then get onto I-287 south to I-78 west.

I would appreciate any comments. I am towing a 30' 5th wheel. I'll be leaving Maine about December 16.

Thanks for any help.
Francis

[GaryKD]

Hi Francis,
Please post where in the South you are going.

I have take the route you mentioned and found it no problem (depending on the time of day and day of week for any route in New Jersey). Once on I78, where would you go from there? You would miss the PA mountains and fog, but the mountains in Virginia are still to be driven.

[Road Pilot]

Hi Francis,

We've taken the 278to 78 to 81 to 77 route to Hilton Head. Althougb it's good we have recently started to take rt 17 off 81 in Winchester, VA which cuts over to rt 95 north of Richmond. 17 is a very pleasant way to avoid DC.

[Tom N]

If you're going to FL try I-81 to Winchester, VA. Then take 17 over to I-95 at Fredericksburg.

-Tom

[Beabop]

I think that is 81 to Winchester to 66 to 17. DC is a little shorter for us but a hassle so we use 17. A plus is the Flying J at Winchester has the lowest prices around. Don't take 17 off 50 as you have to go near Sky Meadow ST Park and is hilly windy road.Go on down to 66 E. You are missing the VA mountains . Good Luck

[Tom N]

I take 17 from Winchester past Sky Meadows State Park. This route is no problem for my big gasser with car in tow. Only one large hill. I've driven this route many times.

Nice WalMart at Warrenton.

[Cousin Ed]

I/78 IN PA IS THE WORST ROAD IN AMERICA, we use it only if the weather is bad, to avoid the PA mountains on 81.
Usually we go 81 to 77 but, Natural Bridge KOA (VA) which was just the right distance for me now closes 11/30. So we are going to do the 17 frome Winchester to 95 route.
I/78 is so bad that we pass up stopping at Cabelas (Hamburg, near Allentown)to avoid it. If you do 78 stop there; it's the biggest one we've been to!

[Reno-NY]

We also take 81 to Winchester and then the 66/17 rte over to Fredericksburg and then hop on 95 south. There used to be a Truck stop on 17 just before you pulled on to 95. We used to stop their to refuel and spend the night there. Question to whom ever. Seeing as how the truckstop is now closed does anyone know of another place to get fuel and stop for the night in that general area?? That is about a 500 mile drive for us and thats far enough for one day. Thanks for any help you can give.

[Ding-a-ling]

Reno,

If you want to stay at a Flying J truck stop there is one north of Winchester on I-81 at the VA border and another on I-95 30 miles south of where US 17 meets I-95.

[Reno-NY]

Thanks for the info "Ding a Ling". I knew about the one near Winchester but didn't remember the one farther south. We leave Friday morning *5th) for Kissimmee for the rest of the winter. We have a 38 ft. HR Endeavor DP and tow an '05 Saturn Vue

[rebelsbeach]

Be sure and display your iRV2 sticker so we can find you!!!

HERE is the sticker request form....We'll mail you one!!

[smlranger]

All you folks who want to avoid the beautiful mountains in Virginia are hurtin' my feelings . Once you're out of our mountains, there isn't much to look at but flat, flat, flat land!!

If I could avoid I-95, I'd sure find a way. Whichever way you choose, travel safe.

[Tom N]

There is a nice new Walmart at Warrenton. We've stayed there many times. We are usually the only one's there. It is not a 24hr Walmart and is nice and quiet.

The Warrenton Walmart is located 1/4 mile north of where 17 and bus 17 come together south of Warrenton.

I'm a pilot and you can also stay overnight at the Flying Circus airfield south of Warrenton on 17. Stop Saturday and stay for the barnstorming show on Sunday. You can stay overnight for free but you'll have to pay for the show on Sunday. It is a great show.

-Tom
currently parked in Crystal River, FL until April