flaja
anywhere,usa
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We are driving from Hershey,Pa. to Croton-on-Hudson,NY. & while comparing different routes (Rand McNally,Yahoo,MapQuest&Google Earth) I got a little confused. One route sends us over the Tappan Zee bridge & north, while another sends us over Bear Mountain bridge & south. My questions are, can we drive our motorhome over either bridge & if anyone is familiar with the area...which route would you take to get to Croton Point Park?Obviously we're looking for the easiest & most direct route. Thanks
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spinners1
Washington
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I have relatives that live in Croton-on-Hudson and frankly I would not recommend taking a Motorhome there at all. Park it at an RV park on the other side of the river and use your toad. I did it once in my 35 foot Itasca and it scared me spitless. Here is how we did it. We went over the Tappen Zee and turned north on 9A. 9A runs north to Ossining and picks up 9 at Ossining just before you get to Croton-On-Hudson. Be very careful. Do not get on the Saw Mill Parkway or the Taconic State Pkwy (an easy mistake to make). After you cross the Tappan Zee Bridge (the toll is outrageous) stay to the right, go slow and watch the signs carefully. Look for the 9A exit Frankly I can't remember the exit number but it comes up very quickly after you cross the bridge. DO NOT TAKE the 9 Exit. It is the first Exit after you cross the bridge. It is a two lane road through Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow and the traffic is awful and the lanes are narrow.
Again, If you want to go do your tourist thing in Tarrytown or Sleepy Hollow take your car. The Sleepy Hollow Church is good and the cemetary behind it has hundreds of very fanous people. Plus there are veterans buried there back to pre-revolutary war days. Across the road is Philips Manor and has a good parking area (free) and the tour is very interesting (not free).
Do not go over the Bear Mountain Bridge. It is very narrow, two cars can barely pass, and after you cross you have to go south on 6 to 9, which is very narrow and winding.
On 9A watch the overpass bridges. There are several that have less than 11 foot clearance in the right lane but 12 foot in the left lane. I almost hit one of the 10 ft 4 inch ones, but managed to get left at the last minute. Once you get to the merge with 9 the road widens and has no overpasses until you get to Peekskill where you get back to narrow winding road with low overpasses.
Anyway I did this once and said never again. Being retired military, I go to West Point, the Military Academy has an RV park. But there are campgrounds at Bear Mountain and RV parks on that side of the river. If you have a dinghy, park the RV and use it. Good Luck!
* This post was
edited 04/28/08 11:27pm by spinners1 *
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spinners1
Washington
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By the way, I might add this, I looked up your MH and it's considerably bigger than mine. I have driven mine in at least 22 States and most major cities, and this was the worst, scariest place I every went (strictly from a driving standpoint) The roads were built for horses and buggies. The traffic is hellacious and everybody drives at least ten mph over the speed limit. I mean this seriously. On 9 the speed limit in Ossining is 50 but everyone does 60 and up. There is NO enforcement. Be very careful.
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Fire Instructor
Upstate (Albany) NY Area
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I'd avoid Bear Mountain with ANYTHING other than a sports car or motorcycle. Steep up and down, narrow, and lots of sharp curves.
Take the TZB, and go north on 9A. Just time it so that you avoid the TZB at rush hour.
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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I used to live in Ossining, and last year took my Class "A" to Croton Point for weekend, that bridge Spinners is talking about will but you heart in mouth. It's at the Peekskill area of RT 9 North of the Croton Point. The T-Z is the best route, what you save in tolls going over the Bear Mt. Bridge you will spend in gas. Thre is also a section just after going of Bear Mt. Bridge thats very winding and has a shear drop and a few hair pin turns that will give you white knuckles for sure. I used to enjoy riding my MC over those roads twenty years ago. Good Luck and happy camping. Bill.
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flaja
anywhere,usa
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Thanks for the input. We have reservations at Croton Point Park & will be visiting our daughters in Manhattan for 2 weeks. We're going to take the TZ route & will follow your advice to go slow & take it easy. I google earth'ed the junction for 9N on the east side of the TZ & it 'looked' like a pretty straight forward R exit.?
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spinners1
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Do not confuse the 9 exit and 9A exit. The 9 exit is the first exit on the right after crossing the TZ. DO NOT TAKE IT. The 9A exit is about a mile farther on the right but says 119. Take the 119 exit to W Main St which is 119. Turn left (east) on Main. Take Main St past the Saw Mill Parkway to 9A which is S Central Ave, turn left, and within a few hundred yards it becomes N. central Ave. You will think you are on the wrong street but you are OK. After a mile or so N Central becomes Sawmill River Rd, and eventually opens up and becomes a multi lane highway which is 9A. You will come to a split which is Saw Mill Rd and Saw Mill River RD. Stay to the right and take Saw Mill River RD. Soon the Saw Mill Parkway will be on your left. When you go under the Saw Mill Parkway it becomes 9A/100 and the Taconic State Parkway will be on your right. Shortly after the Taconic the road splits again and 9A goes to the right and becomes the Briarcliff Peekskill Parkway. That will take you all the way to 9. As soon as you get on 9 Croton Point is on your left. Take the first exit Croton Point Ave, Turn left and go under the highway. I don't know the bridge clearance. Take Croton Point Ave into the Park. If you miss the exit or the bridge is too low you can get off at the next exit do a u back onto 9 and go back.
I told you this would be a nightmare. LOL
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flaja
anywhere,usa
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Spinners1, DH is thinking he'd rather take 9, say's he doesn't mind the traffic because it seems more direct.....(whatever! LOL) are there any bridge clearance problems along 9? I'll keep pushing 9a. I'm hoping the bridge in Croton will be high enough, they know the size of our bus & didn't say anything when I made reservations, think I'll call them & ask. Thanks for taking the time to give me such detailed directions. We leave in the morning, I'll let you know how it turns out!
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spinners1
Washington
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The problem with 9 is that it is a very narrow road that goes through the middle of several very small towns. I don't recall any bridges. There are lots of stop lights and the PD in Tarrytown is notorious for ticketing people with out of state plates. Trafic is like rush hour 24/7. I wouldn't go that way but the bus does and I've seen delivery trucks on it, but it is very crowded. I go that way in my car. It is shorter distance wise, but I don't think it is any shorter time wise because of the lights and traffic.
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flaja
anywhere,usa
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Well we followed your directions & arrived safe & sound at Croton Point Park at 2:30 this pm. Seems like a nice park. The campground is towards the rear & gated, with over 60 sites. Most of which are filled. Watched people coming & going with fishing poles towards the river, we'll check that out in the morning! Thank You sooo much spinners1. If your ever lost in Florida maybe I can return the favor! Happy Trails- Jacqui
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