Community Forums

ajsfla · 06-09-2016, 07:33 AM

Hi newbie here in a rv getting ready to make our first long trip. From Bradenton Fl to Greenfield MA for a special 90th birthday party for inlaws. Have driven this trip multiple times in a car and have tried various routes from i95 up to NJ then cross Tappan Zee bridge into CT then i91.
Have split off i95 north of Richmond VA gone west on us17 to WinchesterVA to Scranton PA across Newburg NY to Hartford then north
I95 then to Charlotte NC up to i81 etc

I am leaning towards the route of i95 to Richmond the I64 tp i81 north then i87 to I90. I really want to avoid hartford ct as i84 into hartford is not good and the hassle of going from i84 to i91 is a pain.

The other option is through Charlotte NC but it is a "climb" out of charlotte to i81.

Any thoughts and expierences you want to share would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
john

Steve Ownby · 06-09-2016, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajsfla

Hi newbie here in a rv getting ready to make our first long trip. From Bradenton Fl to Greenfield MA for a special 90th birthday party for inlaws. Have driven this trip multiple times in a car and have tried various routes from i95 up to NJ then cross Tappan Zee bridge into CT then i91.

Have split off i95 north of Richmond VA gone west on us17 to WinchesterVA to Scranton PA across Newburg NY to Hartford then north

I95 then to Charlotte NC up to i81 etc

I am leaning towards the route of i95 to Richmond the I64 tp i81 north then i87 to I90. I really want to avoid hartford ct as i84 into hartford is not good and the hassle of going from i84 to i91 is a pain.

The other option is through Charlotte NC but it is a "climb" out of charlotte to i81.

Any thoughts and expierences you want to share would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

john

I like I81 and the route through Charlotte is the one I would take. I77 has one big climb up to Fancy Gap close to the NC/VA state line but it's really not bad. If you have time for some sight seeing on the trip, I recommend a stop at Mt Airy, NC. The little town is the home of Andy Griffith the sheriff of Mayberry. There is a campground there called "Mayberry Campground" which is very well kept. The Main Street of Mt Airy is a testament to the show and a throw back to the 1950s. A Porkchop sandwich at the Snappy Lunch will take you back in time. It's a really fun stop.

There are two good dry camping overnight stops on I81. There is a Walmart at Staunton, Va, just off I81 with a huge lot and there is a Flying J at Winchester, Va which is a god stop. If it fits your travel plans, they are recommended.

ajsfla · 06-09-2016, 09:02 AM

Thanks Steve! Great info. I think on the way back we will hit Mt Airy based on your thoughts. Pork chop sandwich sounds great and have been a big fan of Andy Griffith always. My only concern had been the " climb " but should work out. On way up its going to be " get there mode " although at 60. We should have time coming back.

Have you been through Hartford Ct? Any input there would be appreciated.

Thanks again

Rockwood27 · 06-09-2016, 10:03 AM

Lots of different ways to head north, but the "...as i84 into hartford is not good..." is being real polite! From the west on I84, I get off at I691. It will connect to I91 well south of Hartford. Although you still have to go through Hartford on I91, it's still a lot better than the I84 mess!

chuckster52 · 06-09-2016, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajsfla

Hi newbie here in a rv getting ready to make our first long trip. From Bradenton Fl to Greenfield MA for a special 90th birthday party for inlaws. Have driven this trip multiple times in a car and have tried various routes from i95 up to NJ then cross Tappan Zee bridge into CT then i91.
Have split off i95 north of Richmond VA gone west on us17 to WinchesterVA to Scranton PA across Newburg NY to Hartford then north
I95 then to Charlotte NC up to i81 etc

I am leaning towards the route of i95 to Richmond the I64 tp i81 north then i87 to I90. I really want to avoid hartford ct as i84 into hartford is not good and the hassle of going from i84 to i91 is a pain.

The other option is through Charlotte NC but it is a "climb" out of charlotte to i81.

Any thoughts and expierences you want to share would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
john

I would come up 75 to exit 187 to Forsythe,Ga ,( great campground at exit 127 in Ga...Twin Oaks)stay on 83 right up to I-20 in Madison,Ga....about 45 miles or so ..speed limit 55..good truck route..then I-20 to Columbia and take I-77 north to I-81......the climb isn't bad at all..just long(another good campground at exit 80 on 81 called Ft Chiswell @ Max Meadow,Va)...stay on 81 to I-78 to rt 22 thru Allentown to rt 33 north to I-80 to exit 309 and take rt 209 up to exit 53 in Pa on I-84...another stop here (Tri-State c/g Matamormas,Pa)....then I-84 to I-691 5 miles past Waterbury,Ct ,691 will put you on I-91 and straight up to Mass,,,sounds a little confusing,but look up on a map ,very direct...Chuck

Cousin Ed · 06-09-2016, 12:57 PM

To avoid Hartford, get off I/84 at exit 28, I/691 W take that to exit 10, a left exit onto I/91 N and take that to exit 29 Rte 5 then follow the I/84 East signs. This avoids most of Hartford and is as RV friendly as you will find in CT.

jarata · 06-09-2016, 01:07 PM

Agree I84 to 691 to 91 is really easy takes you right to greenfield

jeepfreak · 06-09-2016, 01:08 PM

We go 95 to 288 to 64 to 81 to 84 to 90 , but l think you can pick up 91 off of 84 and go straight to greenfield. Only toll is the Newburgh bridge , unless you take 90 in ma.

ajsfla · 06-09-2016, 01:48 PM

Thanks to everyone with the great tips on the route up to Mass. Im glad to hear everyone hates that section of i84 and coming into i91 @ down town Hartford. I never liked it in a car or suv and knew i needed to do something else when I'm taking this rv there.

Appreciate all the replies!
john

bokobird · 06-09-2016, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajsfla

Thanks to everyone with the great tips on the route up to Mass. Im glad to hear everyone hates that section of i84 and coming into i91 @ down town Hartford. I never liked it in a car or suv and knew i needed to do something else when I'm taking this rv there.

Appreciate all the replies!
john

If you think Hartford is bad, wait till you see what they did to Waterbury, which is before 691. I'd avoid it as much as possible because when you hit that construction, especially during the day, you're in for a backup.

chuckster52 · 06-09-2016, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bokobird

If you think Hartford is bad, wait till you see what they did to Waterbury, which is before 691. I'd avoid it as much as possible because when you hit that construction, especially during the day, you're in for a backup.

they have this under control except for rush hour traffic each way.....been moving pretty well of late