NH to DCA Route thru NJ???

[fansill]

Hello All,

I am just route planning our trip from southern NH to DCA and I have heard that if I go through NJ, I can avoid both the Tappen Zee and GW Bridge and the associated New York traffic. When I try various planning software, Good Sam, Mapquest, etc...they all route me over one of the two bridges. I don't mind a longer drive to avoid the city. Does anyone have any ideas on this route and have they done it??

Please elaborate....

Faith

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fansill Hello All, I am just route planning our trip from southern NH to DCA

Faith, Can you please extend this acronym, DCA?

Thanks

[RVThere]

If DCA is Reagan National Airport and your leaving from say Nashua, NH, you can take the following route to avoid the bridges:

1. I495 to Mass Turnpike (I-90)
2. I-90 to I-84
3. I-84 to NY Thruway (I-87)
4. I-87 to I-287
5. I-287 to I-78
6. I-78 to NJ Rt. 31 South (this is a well know trucker shortcut)
7. NJ Rt. 31 to I-95
8. I-95 thru Philly, Baltimore and down to DC

I live by the NJ portion and have done this route many times. You may still get slammed with traffic in Philly and Baltimore.

[fansill]

I am sorry....I forgot and slipped back into my past life in the travel business...Yes, DCA is indeed the abbreviation for Washington Reagan Airport. And yes, I am looking for the best route from soutern NH to the Washington DC area. We will be staying at Cherry Hill Park Campground in Maryland from the 18th to the 25th of August. I really hate driving the coach through any cities or congestion and would welcome any and all tips. We are planning on driving half the way and stopping somewhere (a rest area, Walmart, etc...just to catch a few winks and then continuing on to arrive at the campground early in the day.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Faith

[RVThere]

One option to avoid Philly and the tolls in Delaware is to stay on I-78 into PA. I78 will lead into I-81 and then you take I-83 South through York, PA (Harley factory tour!), and down into North Baltimore and the 695 beltway.

[bluepill]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVThere 2. I-90 to I-84 3. I-84 to NY Thruway (I-87) 4. I-87 to I-287

IMO the best route for this section - I use it regularly to go to PA and VA. It avoids the NYC Metro mess for the most part; The Eastbound toll over the Hudson River is much cheaper on I-84 (Newburgh-Beacon bridge) than bridges/tunnels closer to the city; The route is much prettier.

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fansill I am sorry....I forgot and slipped back into my past life in the travel business...Yes, DCA is indeed the abbreviation for Washington Reagan Airport. And yes, I am looking for the best route from soutern NH to the Washington DC area. We will be staying at Cherry Hill Park Campground in Maryland from the 18th to the 25th of August. I really hate driving the coach through any cities or congestion and would welcome any and all tips. We are planning on driving half the way and stopping somewhere (a rest area, Walmart, etc...just to catch a few winks and then continuing on to arrive at the campground early in the day. Thanks in advance for your suggestions. Faith

this free website may help you find a place to stop for the night.

Walmart Store Locations Map - Wal-Mart Guide

[jeepfreak]

Just to make you feel better about by-passing the city , we went to Cherry Hill Park last year and took 95 all the way down and back from just south of Boston and the tolls for the MH and Toad were $151.00.
This year we went to Fort Wilderness at Disney and paid $8.50 for the Mass Pike and $4.95 for the Newburgh Bridge . NO more 95 for us!

[ctcamper]

1. I495 to Mass Turnpike (I-90)
2. I-90 to I-84 and over the newburgh bridge
3. I-84 to NY Thruway (I-87)
4. I-87 to I-287


Ditto on the above...

I use that route sometimes..It is about 25 minutes longer than going over the Tappan zee. Tappan zee is free going south, toll is for northbound. I avoid the George Wash. Bridge at ALL costs.
I am not concerned about skipping tolls so I grab the Garden state parkway and then I go one of two ways...
If I am going direct to Philly or Baltimore I go NJ turnpike off the GSP... and down over the Delaware Memorial and south from there.


I have a shore place in S. Jersey so I will sometimes go to my place and stay a couple of days and go over on the ferry and across Delaware and south that way. Then you get hit with all the tolls on the GSP and about a 90 dollar ferry fee for two people , a motorhome and a toad.... I am not sure but you might be able to overnight at the ferry terminals. I never had to so I never found out if you can.