Community Forums

zogthegreat · 09-29-2015, 06:55 PM

Hi everyone!

I'm about to do my first trip in my "new" 2004 Damon Challenger 348W! I'm planning to travel from Montreal, QC, Canada to Port Orange, Florida.

I'm thinking to take I-81 at the US/Canadian border, switch to the I-64 and then get onto I-95 for the rest of the trip.

The reason that I'm looking at I-81 is so that I can bypass major east coast cities this way. However, Pennsylvania has some really big hills and this is my first long trip in this rig. Would it be safer to take I-87 straight to I-95? I would hit a lot of New York/New Jersey traffic, as well as Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, but if memory serves me, once you clear the Adirondack mountains, the terrain is a lot less hilly.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

zog

twinboat · 09-29-2015, 07:26 PM

I'm from NY and I go around all of the big cities.

I 87 to I 287 to the NJ Tpk south will help get you around NY and miss Philly. Then there is Baltimore and Washington DC to battle, while on I 95.

I've taken I 81 from Alexander Bay to Roanoke, Virginia where I head over to I 95. That miss's the BIG cities

I don't recall any big unmanageable hills, just a lot of big rigs, in PA.

You just need to us your downshifting and engine braking to control your speed.

GaryKD · 10-03-2015, 09:38 AM

Hi zogthegreat,
Fear not I 81. Been traveling it all my life in both gas and diesel coaches. Keep the trip simple:
1. I 81 until Wytheville, VA and I 77
2. I 77 South To I 26 at Colombia, SC
3. I 26 East to I 95
4. I 95 South to Port Orange

bokobird · 10-03-2015, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi zogthegreat,
Fear not I 81. Been traveling it all my life in both gas and diesel coaches. Keep the trip simple:
1. I 81 until Wytheville, VA and I 77
2. I 77 South To I 26 at Colombia, SC
3. I 26 East to I 95
4. I 95 South to Port Orange

I haven't done I77 in the past but just followed 81 till I26 itself. Bypasses Charlotte but depending on your timing, that may be a nice route as well. I might try I77 the next time I go in November, just to mix it up a little.

zogthegreat · 10-12-2015, 09:36 AM

OK, after talking to a lot of truckers, here's the route that I came up with.

Quebec Hwy 15 to US I-87.

I-87 to I-287, looping me around the heaver NYC/NJ traffic.

I-287 to I-95/I-295.

I-95/I-295 to State route 301 in Delaware.

Rt. 301 to I-495 around Washington D.C.

I-495 to I-95 down to Florida.

This gets me around the worse of the mountains and the worst of the east coast traffic. I know I will hit some mountains, but I will be able to build up my driving skills without killing myself or someone else!

I didn't get the spot I wanted in Port Orange so I'll be staying in Lake Wales.

Still, since I don't see it getting to -30 in Lake Wales, I guess I should be happy!

JFXG · 10-12-2015, 11:29 AM

Zig, that's an interesting route if your goal is to avoid traffic.

Take whatever route you wish, I'm sure you'll enjoy the trip.

John & Diane, fulltiming since '12
'02 DS, FL, 3126, '04 Element

cowrv39 · 10-12-2015, 03:18 PM

Please be aware that some parts of I95 in South Carolina are closed these are some posting that show which parts are closed. Check ahead and be safe.

-Brian

olonia · 10-12-2015, 10:59 PM

Hi, Zog.
We r from Montreal too. Thinking about first trip down south.
When you are planning to hit the road?
Olonia

zogthegreat · 10-13-2015, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFXG

Zig, that's an interesting route if your goal is to avoid traffic.

Take whatever route you wish, I'm sure you'll enjoy the trip.

John & Diane, fulltiming since '12
'02 DS, FL, 3126, '04 Element

Yeah, I just got my new home in July. Although I've been taking it out and practicing my driving, this is my first long trip and I want to take it easy and build up my driving skills. I'll probably take a RV driving course once I get settled in Florida. I'm not in a hurry and I don't have to be anyplace by a certain time, so I'll add a day or two to my trip and do as you suggest, enjoy it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowrv39

Please be aware that some parts of I95 in South Carolina are closed these are some posting that show which parts are closed. Check ahead and be safe.

-Brian

Do you have any links? I'm not leaving for another 2 weeks and I was hoping that everything would be cleaned up by the time I passed through the region.

I really got lucky on that mess. I had planned to leave Montreal on the 1st, but my kids wanted me to stay a little longer. I would have been in thee middle of that mess if I had left as planned!

zogthegreat · 10-13-2015, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olonia

Hi, Zog.
We r from Montreal too. Thinking about first trip down south.
When you are planning to hit the road?
Olonia

I'm leaving on or about the 26th of this month. What part of Montreal are you in? Where are you heading to in Florida?

I'm in Rosemont and my rig is parked in Baie-D'Urfé. I'm going down to Lake Wales, FL.

Steve Ownby · 10-13-2015, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowrv39

Please be aware that some parts of I95 in South Carolina are closed these are some posting that show which parts are closed. Check ahead and be safe.

-Brian

I95 is now completely open.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

cowrv39 · 10-13-2015, 10:52 AM

Here is a link to the road traffic issues in South Carolina. I just saw on the cbs news that the roads are open but be where of the weather.

South Carolina 511

-Brian

olonia · 10-14-2015, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zogthegreat

I'm leaving on or about the 26th of this month. What part of Montreal are you in? Where are you heading to in Florida?

I'm in Rosemont and my rig is parked in Baie-D'Urfé. I'm going down to Lake Wales, FL.

We are on I'll Perrot. And we r not in the rush too. . I think is more fun to have somebody with you on the road. and safer.
But September is too early 4 us. Neibour is driving down every year in December. Without RV.
Place in Florida we didn't find yet. Have info about nice parks around Tampa.
We can talk on the phone more if u wish