Timing always plays into my decision on which Route to take. We travel most every year From MASS to Myrtle Beach. We've been most every route, including the western I84/I81 option. Last spring we returned the Sunday/Monday of Memorial Day weekend. At 6am on Memorial Day, the GW Bridge was empty and we drove right5 through up 95 with not a single issue. That would be my last choice at ANY other time. Personally, I prefer the Tappanzee route over the I81 route. At some point, the trip just begins to take too long for me and avoiding traffic loses its lustre.
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
Just got home from a wonderful week at Pohick Bay. After 30 years of traveling back and forth between the Boston area and the D.C. area, I just had one of my smoothest trips - and it was my first with a trailer!
Taking 95 to the beltway (your choice which way - I prefer the outer loop heading North) on to 695 in Baltimore (this time, the inner loop). Back on 95 through Delaware and over the Delaware Memorial Bridge. On to the Jersey Turnpike up to 287.
(skip the Garden State Parkway - if you reference the GSP website, you'll note a weight restriction on the northern end that excludes most RV's. There's been a lot of chat on the forum from folks that have navigated it without problem - good for them. But they won't pay your ticket)
Now you could bail from 287 and go over the Tappan Zee. You would end up connecting with 684 on the other side. I found the condition of 684 deplorable on the way south - it beat the absolute snot out of us and the vehicles. Instead, on our ride north, we stayed on 287 all the way to 84. We stayed on 84 all the way through to the Mass Pike and to 495, as others have written, you've got choices from there.
I stopped three times for fuel parking each time for coffee or lunch. I left VA at 11 am and was parked for the night 30 minutes shy of Plymouth before a little after 9 pm.
Have a nice stack of bills next to you. Tolls are big, but it's vacation. No stress.
I would welcome a private message if you had any other questions or concerns. Safe travels!
Rookie
2009 Keystone Challenger 34 QSB
2005 GMC Sierra 3500 Duramax/Allison DRW
2001 BMW K1200LT
Been weighing which route to use for NC/Maine in late June and have read these posts with interest. Lived in DC area much of my life, traveled to Richmond, Baltimore, Wilmington DE, etc often by car on business.
The whole idea of the 95 corridor starting from Richmond north makes my teeth clench. We'll be traveling just when all the other summer vacationers are hitting the road.
We don't have time constraints. Decided on the western arc up 81 and 84. More miles, but hoping for less stress.
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