Route advice, PA to CT and ME

[bokobird]

Originally Posted by jerichorick

Good suggestions and things to know. New England camping can often be a challenge because the campgrounds are so old and out dated. The sites are small and tight to get into.

Do you know what the Mass Pike toll is for RV's w/tow are these days?

Rick Y

Toll depends on how far you follow it. I was charged around $3 to go from exit 9 to exit 11 (just under 30 miles). That was with EZPass, so cash may be different.

[DrDaveMA]

You can get the appropriate tolls here http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highw...Schedules.aspx

[DrDaveMA]

Originally Posted by jerichorick

Good suggestions and things to know. New England camping can often be a challenge because the campgrounds are so old and out dated. The sites are small and tight to get into.

Do you know what the Mass Pike toll is for RV's w/tow are these days?

Rick Y

Yes, some NE CG's are old and outdated, but where else can you stay at a CG that is near the birth place of our nation. The streets of Boston were originally cow paths😱. The CG's were designed when Airstreams pulled by model A's were the norm, not a 600 horse 45er pulling a 25' trailer, OK I exaggerate a little. Additionally they only have a very short season so they try to make a living while they can. I am not saying it is right, but it is the way it is. If you know the rules you can play the game. Once you get out of the major metro areas there are some nice CG's, particularly in Maine, NH and Vermont, you just will not find the mega resorts you find in the west, just plain old family campgrounds trying to compete while working to make your trip to NE enjoyable.

[jerichorick]

Originally Posted by DrDaveMA

Yes, some NE CG's are old and outdated, but where else can you stay at a CG that is near the birth place of our nation. The streets of Boston were originally cow paths😱. The CG's were designed when Airstreams pulled by model A's were the norm, not a 600 horse 45er pulling a 25' trailer, OK I exaggerate a little. Additionally they only have a very short season so they try to make a living while they can. I am not saying it is right, but it is the way it is. If you know the rules you can play the game. Once you get out of the major metro areas there are some nice CG's, particularly in Maine, NH and Vermont, you just will not find the mega resorts you find in the west, just plain old family campgrounds trying to compete while working to make your trip to NE enjoyable.

I think we can all agree with what you have stated here. The problem still exists. I have not seen a RV size restriction posted on any CG to date. Only snob rules restricting vintage rigs. At the end of a long day of travel, it is not nice to pull into a CG to find that you need a shoe horn to get into the spot and a tree trimmer to get your bedroom slide open. This is not forward thinking on the part of the CG staff. The tree trimming happened to me not all that long ago in a upgraded CG. When we pull in we really don't know what we will get till we try to park. In spite of these surprises I love being on the road!

Happy trails,
Rick Y

[chuckster52]

Originally Posted by jerichorick

Have been on this path a few time over the years. I suggest I-287 to the Tappan Zee Bridge to White Plains. (There is a one way toll of $20+. Free in the other direction.) I-95 is a tough road and always has been. You might try 15 through Trumbull, CT to avoid some of it. I have not been on it but it has to be no worse than 95. Fuel on the Jersey Pike (I think that is the road) is easy to get to and a good price. Fuel in CT is expensive, relatively speaking. Being your first long haul trip, be very aware at all time. The drivers in these areas are a bit nuts by trade. But, the Philly area has a few of it's own.

Have fun in Mystic. Lots to see.

Happy and safe trails,
Rick Y

DO NOT GO ON RT 15 IN CONNECTICUT,IT HAS 10'6" BRIDGES TO GO UNDER!!!!!!
From Pa go up to I-81 to I-78 to rt 22 thru Allentown to rt 33 to Stroudsburg to I-80 for 4 exits,get off exit 309 onto rt 209 up to Milford to I-84
Onto 84 thru NY and Ct past Waterbury to I-691 to I-91 north to rt 9 south to I-95 north to Mystic......a little construction in Waterbury,Ct for maybe 8 miles....Chuck

[DrDaveMA]

Originally Posted by chuckster52

DO NOT GO ON RT 15 IN CONNECTICUT,IT HAS 10'6" BRIDGES TO GO UNDER!!!!!!

From Pa go up to I-81 to I-78 to rt 22 thru Allentown to rt 33 to Stroudsburg to I-80 for 4 exits,get off exit 309 onto rt 209 up to Milford to I-84

Onto 84 thru NY and Ct past Waterbury to I-691 to I-91 north to rt 9 south to I-95 north to Mystic......a little construction in Waterbury,Ct for maybe 8 miles....Chuck

Or you can take I-81 all the way to Scranton where you turn east on to I-84, you eliminate all the I-78, RT 22, RT 33, I-80, RT 209 etc. Simpler, just a few miles longer, but it is all rural until you hit CT.

[Papaber44641]

From Philly take ne extension to 84 east thru CT to Rte 9 to 95. Very scenic and avoids all of the city traffic. Try going thru CT early am like 4 or 5 to avoid rush hour or after 10 am also works. Safe travels

[G.G.]

Originally Posted by Papaber44641

From Philly take ne extension to 84 east thru CT to Rte 9 to 95. Very scenic and avoids all of the city traffic. Try going thru CT early am like 4 or 5 to avoid rush hour or after 10 am also works. Safe travels

This is the route someone suggested we take - which we didn't.
Wish we had.

[jerichorick]

Originally Posted by chuckster52

DO NOT GO ON RT 15 IN CONNECTICUT,IT HAS 10'6" BRIDGES TO GO UNDER!!!!!!
From Pa go up to I-81 to I-78 to rt 22 thru Allentown to rt 33 to Stroudsburg to I-80 for 4 exits,get off exit 309 onto rt 209 up to Milford to I-84
Onto 84 thru NY and Ct past Waterbury to I-691 to I-91 north to rt 9 south to I-95 north to Mystic......a little construction in Waterbury,Ct for maybe 8 miles....Chuck

Thanks, Chuck. But I think we have all gotten the message that my idea was borne out of pure ignorance on my part.

I am coming from Baltimore. How is Trenton I-295 to US-206... to I-287N for hitting the TZ bridge? I-95 to I-287 in Edison seems like added mileage. But it may be better time. Thanks.

Rick Y

[G.G.]

Jagtec1 - we left Mystic and are also headed for Bar Harbor. We're now in the Newport RI area. If you can, stay here for a few days. I had NO IDEA Newport was such a charming place. I would highly recommend stopping here.

[jerichorick]

Originally Posted by G.G.

Jagtec1 - we left Mystic and are also headed for Bar Harbor. We're now in the Newport RI area. If you can, stay here for a few days. I had NO IDEA Newport was such a charming place. I would highly recommend stopping here.

If you haven't, take a trip to Plymouth, MA and visit the plantation and other historical sites. Be prepared to be greatly underwhelmed by Plymouth Rock. There are many cg's in the area. There may even be tour buses into Boston, or you could drive to Lakeville and take the Amtrack into Boston. If the weather is with you you can walk to most everything in town. You will be walking the same streets that our founding fathers walked, as is true in Philly.

Happy trails,
Rick Y

[chuckster52]

Originally Posted by jerichorick

Thanks, Chuck. But I think we have all gotten the message that my idea was borne out of pure ignorance on my part.

I am coming from Baltimore. How is Trenton I-295 to US-206... to I-287N for hitting the TZ bridge? I-95 to I-287 in Edison seems like added mileage. But it may be better time. Thanks.

Rick Y

Not sure of the traffic at the TZ bridge since the crane collapse

[chuckster52]

Originally Posted by DrDaveMA

Or you can take I-81 all the way to Scranton where you turn east on to I-84, you eliminate all the I-78, RT 22, RT 33, I-80, RT 209 etc. Simpler, just a few miles longer, but it is all rural until you hit CT.

there is quite a bit of construction before scranton on I-81 around the Willkes-Barre area to contend with ..Chuck

[DrDaveMA]

Originally Posted by chuckster52

there is quite a bit of construction before scranton on I-81 around the Willkes-Barre area to contend with ..Chuck

That is always a variable to content with.