Community Forums

sammax · 03-09-2013, 09:13 AM

We're planning a trip to PA. in June / July. Can anyone tell us if I80 from Reno to Indiana is good for travel? How about the weather?
Also we seem to be having a problem findind a decent RV / Campground around Williamsport, PA.....

skigramp · 03-09-2013, 05:28 PM

I-80 is the "easiest" way to cross the Rockies ... there are only two short climbs eastbound (one east of Salt Lake City, UT and one east of Laramie, WY)

There are lots of 18 wheelers on this road between Ogallala, NE ( the junction of I-80 with I-76) and Chicago ...

The traffic through the southern part of metropolitian Chicago is generally very heavy ... try to avoid going through there during morning or evening rush hours ...

Don't be surprised if you encounter lots of orange barrells across the plains during the summer months ... the traffic is generally squeezed down to one lane but it moves along nicely ...

The fuel prices are generally very low around Cheyenne, WY ... there is Flying J, Loves, and Valero on I-25 about 2 miles south of I-80 ... it is generally worthwile to fill there ...

User1011 · 03-09-2013, 05:50 PM

There is a KOA off of I-80 south of Williamsport, PA. It is New Columbia KOA Williamsport. There is also Montgomery Riverside CG that looks to be not far from the Williamsport area. If you google "Allstays Campgrounds" and go to PA campgrounds, click on the "Map" of PA campgrounds and then zoom in to the Williamsport area. You'll see that there are several in that area. Hope that is of some help. Safe Travels.

Ding-a-ling · 03-16-2013, 09:15 AM

Travelling I-80 can be boring going through the Great Plains, but here is a worthwhile stop: Great Platte River Road Archway: Home It a superb museum at Kearney, NE, a two-level covered bridge-looking structure that spans the complete right-of-way for I-80. It tells the story of westward expansion along the North Platte River via boat, wagon (Mormon & Oregon Trail), rail, and automobile. Try to find time to stop, you'll not regret it. They were very welcoming to us and allowed us to stay overnight in the large parkinglot.

Frank F.

Trvl1 · 03-16-2013, 08:44 PM

There is a nice campground at the Cabela's in Sidney. Nice pull throughs so there is no need to unhook the toad - alway a plus for us on travel days.

michguy · 03-18-2013, 10:01 AM

Love I-80 through Nebraska, and especially Iowa; Rest Areas every 30-40 milesw/ Wi-Fi. Iowa's beauty surprised us, and the road was fine.

Arch Hoagland · 03-18-2013, 11:16 AM

I80 is great all the way across. The weather can be horrid or great. The humidity is the big factor as far as I'm concerned.

RV parks near Williamsport don't exist. You'll have to drive a bit.

http://www.indianheadcampground.com/ This is where we stay.

Grew up in Williamsport and get back there every couple of years, this coming fall we'll be there. We stay near Bloomsburg as we have relatives near there too.

I wonder where the people stay that go to the Little League World Series.

Be sure to have some Scrapple while you are there. My wife calls it Crapapple but what does she know.

sammax · 03-18-2013, 07:13 PM

Thanks..We grew up in Williamsport too... We'll be fine..I'll find a place to park...New Columbia or somewhere...Thanks for the comeback...

CoastieSCPO · 03-18-2013, 07:32 PM

We've made a couple of trips to central and eastern PA to do genealogy research. Both times that we visited the Williamsport area, we stayed at the Williamsport South/Nittany Mtn KOA. It is a nice place with long pull thru sites near the front but it can be a bit pricey as many KOA's are. The campground is about 5 miles or so off I-80. We've also camped at the Bellfonte/State College KOA.

sammax · 04-15-2013, 09:35 PM

We went by the Susquehanna campground the other day. It's not a place I would recommend.

First problem is getting into the place - you have to cross the railroad tracks and it's a steep drop on the far side. I don't think the motor home will have enough ground clearance to make it over the tracks.

Second thing I noticed is that most of the electrical supply boxes are mounted on trees - like someone just nailed them up there.

Third was that it appears no one does much maintenance around the place - pot holes in the road, debris (tree limbs, etc) laying around.

Next was that there's no "store" of any sort to get propane, groceries, or any type of supplies you might need. If you need anything you'd probably have to go to town to get it.

Most of the trailers in the place are of the tow-n-park type, and it looks like most of them are probably there year round - home built porches, etc
From a friend regarding "Susquehanna Campground" near Williamsport, PA

The "Office" is a trailer that someone (maybe the owner) has set up.
It puts me in mind of a low rent trailer park. I think your best bet is the KOA in New Columbia. We spent most of a day there last year and it's a real nice place. Owners and tenants were all very friendly. Lewisburg is nearby - Wal-Mart, Sunday flea market, fast food - whatever you might need.

Arch Hoagland · 04-15-2013, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammax

We went by the Susquehanna campground the other day. It's not a place I would recommend.

First problem is getting into the place - you have to cross the railroad tracks and it's a steep drop on the far side. I don't think the motor home will have enough ground clearance to make it over the tracks.

Second thing I noticed is that most of the electrical supply boxes are mounted on trees - like someone just nailed them up there.

Third was that it appears no one does much maintenance around the place - pot holes in the road, debris (tree limbs, etc) laying around.

Next was that there's no "store" of any sort to get propane, groceries, or any type of supplies you might need. If you need anything you'd probably have to go to town to get it.

Most of the trailers in the place are of the tow-n-park type, and it looks like most of them are probably there year round - home built porches, etc
From a friend regarding "Susquehanna Campground" near Williamsport, PA

The "Office" is a trailer that someone (maybe the owner) has set up.
It puts me in mind of a low rent trailer park. I think your best bet is the KOA in New Columbia. We spent most of a day there last year and it's a real nice place. Owners and tenants were all very friendly. Lewisburg is nearby - Wal-Mart, Sunday flea market, fast food - whatever you might need.

Where is this "Susquehanna campground " ?

sammax · 04-16-2013, 08:37 AM

Susquehanna Campground id west of Williamiamsport apx 15 miles on Rt 220.
We are planning a trip to that area and there seems to be NO campgrounds for an RV. I had a friend check it the campground for me. Not a place I would like to stay.

Luckiest Dreamer · 04-16-2013, 09:06 AM

One of the problems in Nebraska is that I80 skirts the mainline Rail line and manytimes the campgrounds are right next door. The train whistles can blow about every 10 min. Makes for a very restless night. Look for camp grounds on the opposite side of the interstate that is away from the Tracks. Although Nebraska and Wy can be long and occasionaly boring (that is if you attempt a nonstop) there are plenty of things to stop and see along the way. Just seek them out. One of the largest and well equipted museums along the way is about 15 miles south of the interstate in Neb I think it is called Pioneer Village.
If you stayed to see it all you would be there more than one day. Yes Iowa is beautiful, once the crops fill the fields, it is green and the hills are rolling. Stopping at the Mississippi River and watching a river barge go thru the locks at Lock 15 in Davenport/Rock Island is a must. You can also visit the John Deere Mus in Moline Ill. Kids love climbing on the tractors and Combines. The Amana Colonies is a good spot as is the Living History Farms or a visit to the State Capitol while in Des Moines. Maybe even a stop at the Saturday morning Farmers Market in downtown, or if in August visit the State Fair(one of the biggest in the States) A visit to the Dodge house in Council Bluffs or cross the Missouri River and visit Omaha, the home of Mr. Buffet. They have a great Zoo and a wonderfull old Town area of great restaurants and shopping. Visit the Capitol building in Lincoln, a City of nearly 300,000 midwesterners. How about that big Rodeo they have in Cheyene each year? Need I say more? The midwest has loads of things to either stop and see or drive right on by. If you have the time you could stop by the Raccoon River in Iowa and attempt to catch one of thoose 60 lb Flatheads. They may not be a great Brook trout but they will certiainly fill a bath tub!