Opinions on Chesapeake Bay Bridge

[TonyDi]

I've done it several times. It was easy, truckers do it all the time. I've also used the Lewes-Cape May ferry four times. The cost of the ferry is offset by no tolls and less fuel consumption. Beside it's a nice ride and breaks up the trip. Plus it puts you very close to the Garden State Parkway.

[Butte64]

Originally Posted by JMynes

The tunnel sections are actually only a small portion of the crossing. I've done it a few times in a car, wouldn't hesitate to take an RV through.

One bridge I will NEVER cross again is route 301 at the VA/MD state line. It seems like it's about a 1/4 mile high, two lanes, oncoming traffic held on their side by a yellow line and nothing else. Took the MH towing a dolly across that. Never again. Every oncoming 18 wheeler threatened to swap mirrors with me.

I found that bridge much less stressful than the beltway around Washington and I95. Maybe because I did it on a Sunday.

[MoHoGo]

Thanks for all of the comments. We used the bridge today and as everyone said it was fantastic. So nice to skirt Richmond, Washington and Baltimore traffic.

Route 13 was a great ride. We stayed in Suffolk, VA at a Good Sams park, Deer Creek. Nice place to stay for the night.

[nothermark]

Originally Posted by JMynes

The tunnel sections are actually only a small portion of the crossing. I've done it a few times in a car, wouldn't hesitate to take an RV through.
One bridge I will NEVER cross again is route 301 at the VA/MD state line. It seems like it's about a 1/4 mile high, two lanes, oncoming traffic held on their side by a yellow line and nothing else. Took the MH towing a dolly across that. Never again. Every oncoming 18 wheeler threatened to swap mirrors with me.

Hmmm, and I was looking at that as an interesting option to the bridge tunnel...
Thanks for the warning...

[gjw]

Originally Posted by JMynes
The tunnel sections are actually only a small portion of the crossing. I've done it a few times in a car, wouldn't hesitate to take an RV through.
One bridge I will NEVER cross again is route 301 at the VA/MD state line. It seems like it's about a 1/4 mile high, two lanes, oncoming traffic held on their side by a yellow line and nothing else. Took the MH towing a dolly across that. Never again. Every oncoming 18 wheeler threatened to swap mirrors with me.

Originally Posted by nothermark

Hmmm, and I was looking at that as an interesting option to the bridge tunnel...
Thanks for the warning...

When we lived in MD I always took the 301 bridge... It is somewhat narrow, but if you pay attention to what you are doing when meeting up with a truck coming towards you there is plenty of room to pass. Like anything else, the first couple of times you do it it can seem scary, but after that it is a piece of cake. I'll be making that trip going North in the next couple of weeks. There is a pretty hefty toll when you go South, no toll going North... I wouldn't hesitate going this way - way better than the Washington beltway - what a nightmare that is...

[nothermark]

Amen on DC area! I live in central NY so drop down US15 but we have been looking art the DelMarVa area for a trip. Neither of us are thrilled with long high bridges so we may not make it there. ;-( Enough other places to go that I won't lose any sleep over it as we were there around 20 years ago.

[Sehc]

I have taken 301 through Maryland and Virginia many times. The last time it seems they are making a 301 into a interstate type highway. The one bridge is narrow, but really not that bad. The other bridge tunnel and ferry is also a great trip.

[bullydogs1]

This is my neck of the woods....The Bay Bridge tunnel is fine on the bridges..i do not like the tunnels and just hold on as I go thru since the CB antenna does ping ping ping on its spring...If you have an Aspire, they will make you shut off the propane...it is also $39 to cross with an EZ Pass with a tag and a toad. I try to hit that at off peak hours....but it is no where as tight as the Harry Nice Bridge ...Big easy pull off area just before the southbound toll and a rest area on it...but this is much better than doing DC..Note that Route 13 has traffic lights so just time it right etc...Plenty of Royal Farms to stop at for fuel with ez in ez out.

[royals1212]

301 is a pretty drive and there use to be a decent seafood restaurant on the VA side

[rljacobs]

I phoned the Chesapeake bridge/tunnel office last year and they informed me that the tunnel clearance is 13.5 or 13.6. I forgot which now. My questions is how much clearance does the (in motion) TV satellite and its dome have?

R. Jacobs
2013 Anthem 42 DEQ

[Russtj60]

Originally Posted by MoHoGo

Thanks for all the positive comments. I think that we will go that route on the way back to Jersey. Now, need to find a place to stay in or around the Norfolk area for the night before going over.

Try North Landing. It is on the bay.... nice beach... no jet noise... you can watch the surface Navy go in and out port. Much quieter

[nothermark]

Originally Posted by rljacobs

I phoned the Chesapeake bridge/tunnel office last year and they informed me that the tunnel clearance is 13.5 or 13.6. I forgot which now. My questions is how much clearance does the (in motion) TV satellite and its dome have?

R. Jacobs
2013 Anthem 42 DEQ

13.6 is around the standard for truck route clearance. I'd check the dome but expect it to fit. If you are really worried it might be worth setting up a temporary frame to measure the clearance over the highest points on your RV.

[The Taj]

If the Toll Booth attendant gets a warning from their height detector, they will have you pull over to the side.

Then a uniformed bridge cop will come out, get some info, then tell you to wait until they climb up onto a platform. You then are told to pull forward as they visually check your height. If they confirm your "overheight" is solely due to your antenna (CB or other), then you get a green light to continue over the bridge/tunnel.

If you get a red light, you are too tall and you will have to turn around and find an alternative route. They will also refund your toll!

We went through this on our previous coach and passed the inspection and then in the tunnels heard our Firestick CB antenna scrape a couple of times.

If you've never travelled in a tunnel in your coach it is a little unnerving and seems to have awfully skinny lanes but thousands of trucks and busses do this route and do it fine.

Just take a deep breath and steady on

[royals1212]

Entegra literature for the 2015 Aspire is 12'10". I have not physically measured mine. Website has max height of 13'6". Federal height limit for semi truck trailer is 13'6". Thanks Google