Best route to Florida

[Nutmeg]

Planning ahead to take the motorhome from Connecticut to Florida. Wanted to get suggestions for the best route as I do not think I-95 through New York / Washington DC would be good unless it was done at 3 am in the morning or so, and still one would have to deal with the road conditions. Would be helpful to know any other cities to avoid or best times to pass through.

Thanks

[Nutmeg]

Planning ahead to take the motorhome from Connecticut to Florida. Wanted to get suggestions for the best route as I do not think I-95 through New York / Washington DC would be good unless it was done at 3 am in the morning or so, and still one would have to deal with the road conditions. Would be helpful to know any other cities to avoid or best times to pass through.

Thanks

[NYMoose "Lenny"]

I hate 95, and DC. I usually always take 84 to 81 South, Then I take I think 66 and cross over in VA. Then I take 95 the rest of the way. I then will miss the dc area traffic, and there are plenty of spots on 81 to stop for a quick overnight.

[tps0424]

I went the same way as Lenny when I went to SC last summer. From everyone I talked to, it's the preferred way from New England.

[NAUTIQUE]

Nutmeg,
We took our 1st southern trip last April Vacation. I hate the 95 south trip thru CT/NY!
My suggestion:
84 to 81 to 66 to 17.
Nice roads & relaxing.
This dumps you back on 95 in Fredricksburg below Baltimore.
Another option:
Tappanzee-287-78-81-66-17.
I tried that on the way home - but wasn't happy.
Terrible roads on 78/287/tappanzee (rattled my teeth out and loosened most everything in the MH ) & much more hectic.

[rebelsbeach]

Originally from Va Beach and with former in-laws up north, I traveled the 81-66-17 route many times and would recommend it.

Avoid the D.C. area at ALL cost.

[Half Dimes]

Another alternative heading south is to stay on I-81 until it meets up with I-77 in SW Va. Take 77 down to I-26, then I-26 to I-95.

I-81 truck traffic seems to be getting worse every year. Probably those guys are avoiding I-95 as well.

When we're not in a hurry, we like to overnight (or more) in Meadows of Dan, VA. Great little campground there that the Appalachian Campers introduced us to.

Charlotte is the only big city to deal with and we try to avoid that during rush hours.

[Nutmeg]

Thanks All for the routes will have to start laying them out now and fiqure the stops.

Russ

[Frankie]

We do the same route as the first 3 replies suggested.We stayed at the koa in Fredricksburg Va,via route 17.They have pull thrus near the entrance.We liked it for the overnight.I have 3 kids,so pools are mandatory after many hours on the road.

[AL]

Hi All,

Hey Nutmeg, I agree with all the above and avoid 95 that Rt 81 is the way to go! Also I know South of the Border is a big tourist trap, but Camp Pedro is not a bad 1 or 2 night stop over! I was just there this Jan. $23 a night full hook up's. Plus if you like, you get to use the indoor pool, hottub & sauna in the motel it was all very nice! Enjoy the trip !!!

[Whaler]

Hi Nutmeg!I have made a dozen trips south to the Orlando area of Florida from my home here in the Philadelphia area.I've done the senic route down the coasts of Delaware,Maryland,Virginia,over the Bay Tunnel bridge and out to Hatteras,North Carolina.Ferried back to the mainland,then down to Wilmington NC,then to Myrtle Beach,then down to Georgia and route 95.That is a great ride,but it is a spring or summer thing.You really can't beat 95 though this time of year,and it is by far the fastest way south.If I leave during the work week,I'm just south of Philly,I will hit 95 by 4AM,that will get me past Washington(3hrs) just as there rush hour starts,and Richmond's rush will be over by the time you get their.Back in late October, the best gas prices were in Virginia,on the border with NC and in south Georgia near the border with Florida.Gas up in NJ before you go across the river to Delaware,NJ is is one of the lowest in the country for gas!!!Remember though,you can't go through the tunnels by Baltimore,you'll have to go over the river on the Francis Scott Key bridge(695) on the east side of Balt.No propane Tanks are allowed in the tunnels.A little short cut,take Maryland route 295 exit(Baltimore-Washington Parkway) off 695,exit 7A or B?,witchever is southbound.Go to the end of this road,you will go by signs for 95 and 695,the road will change from MD 295 to route Interstate 295 just north of the new Woodrow Wilson bridge over the Potomac river which is 495 and goes staight to 95 south.I hope this is of some help,anything I can do!

[lthrnk]

Nutmeg,

All of the previous posts certainly have merit and provide you with some variables. A few things would help you determine the best and easiest route:
From where in CT?
To where in FL? East coast or West coast?

[Nutmeg]

From eastern end of Ct (Groton) by I-95 to just about your area (Micco)

[tps0424]

I take rt 9 up to 84 to 81, etc. etc. from 395.