Going Northeast

[B.G. Smith]

Leaving in a week or so from Dallas area to visit the New England states. Am thinking about going to Little Rock on I-30 then I-40 to Nashville, North at Nashville up to I think it is I-84. Anyone been these rts. lately? Any suggestions appreciated, also any good places easily accesible pulling a 5th wheel where you can get a good cup of coffee in the afternoon? bg

 

[BreaksEverything]

84 is not a bad ride but it's the loooong way I'll map out away for you in the morning but you'll have too take the outer loop at DC & that could blow if you hit it at rush hr

 

[WyoJim]

I was in West Yellowstone the other day and talked to tourist from the NY CT border area. He said they are setting up road blocks at bridges and other places and pointing Tommy Guns at you while they search your vehicle to see if you are a terrorist. I don't know if it is true or not, but I would take I-71 to I-70 To Pittsburgh and on to New England. People seem to be a little more friendly than on the coast and especially the DC, Baltimore and New York City area. I toured Cape Cod in the '60's and it was nice but Boston Sucked.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by WyoJim

I was in West Yellowstone the other day and talked to tourist from the NY CT border area. He said they are setting up road blocks at bridges and other places and pointing Tommy Guns at you while they search your vehicle to see if you are a terrorist. I don't know if it is true or not, but I would take I-71 to I-70 To Pittsburgh and on to New England. People seem to be a little more friendly than on the coast and especially the DC, Baltimore and New York City area. I toured Cape Cod in the '60's and it was nice but Boston Sucked.

I hit one five minute DOT check on 9-11 on the CT/RI border. Other than that, just the usual construction and standstill heavy traffic on 287-95. I suggest 84 but I have not been on it lately so I don't know about construction.

 

[champspa]

take 40 to 81 and come up through Harrisburg, Pa. that avoids the mess they have at D. C. (they are working on the interchange and it is shutting down 95 at certain intervals.

 

[RMH]

routes

40 to 81 north to 84 to NYSthruway at Newburgh 0r continue on 84 into new england. depends on where you whish to end at. lots of little towns along the way to smoose a cup a coffee. lots of fair sized hills tho on 81 and 84. could take 80 east to 787 north to nythruway to 84 east. not quite as hilly. prettier the other way.

 

[FJfonda]

There are 3 main east-west corridors east of the hudson river in New York. 84, 90 and 95. I would avoid 95 between NYC and Boston, it is a high speed rat race and a challenge to tow. 84 is better but plan on getting tied up in both Hartford and Waterbury in stop and go traffic for at least 30-45 min each place. 90 is a real nice ride but a toll road. Things will get real busy at the major cities like Boston. I personally like the nothern Maine coast. What are your plans? There are some sweet places on the east coast.....

 

[B.G. Smith]

Originally posted by FJfonda

There are 3 main east-west corridors east of the hudson river in New York. 84, 90 and 95. I would avoid 95 between NYC and Boston, it is a high speed rat race and a challenge to tow. 84 is better but plan on getting tied up in both Hartford and Waterbury in stop and go traffic for at least 30-45 min each place. 90 is a real nice ride but a toll road. Things will get real busy at the major cities like Boston. I personally like the nothern Maine coast. What are your plans? There are some sweet places on the east coast.....

Probably go up in the Montpelier/Barre area for first stop. Do some looking around from there then maybe into N. Hamshire and Maine, when we start back, will probably come down through W. Virginia and into N. and S. Carolina area. bg

 

[champspa]

come back down 81 and take 77 at wytheville , va. that will take you into mid NC. and into SC.

 

[Buffalo]

Northeast

Last summer I was going to take I-40 from Arizona to the East. Talked to a number of truckers that said I-40 in Arkansas was all under construction, and in terrible shape. They talked me into taking I-44 northeast out of Oklahoma City into Missouri. When I got to Missouri I ran across a tourist that got caught in all the construction. Said it was a nightmare. Might not be a bad idea to check and see if that construction is completed. Hope this helps. Joe Fihn(Buffalo).

 

[FJfonda]

You will be in some nice country in Vt. Plan your fuel north of Albany NY carefully as things get sparse. We recently rolled into Lake Placid on a looking-for fuel-detour off of 87. Had 1 gal left on fill up. Traveling east and west in northern VT-NH-Me is challenging as the major roads don't really go that way. For a real experience grab rt 2 into Me but watch for the logging trucks. There are few areas as beautiful as the NH White Mountains and Me coastline. A detour to Niagra Falls is worthwhile as well.....

 

[QRTRHRS]

Take RT 16 north from the White Mountains into the Rangely Lakes area. From there head to coastal Maine. Expect to pay more for diesel in the northeast.

 

[BIGDIG]

Originally posted by WyoJim

. I toured Cape Cod in the '60's and it was nice but Boston Sucked.

You think Boston sucked then... ... ... check it out now

 

[WyoJim]

I hope to never ever see Boston again.



We relocated west of the Missouri River 16 years ago, but return to Pennsylvania once a year to visit the old folks. I have got so that I absolutely hate it east of the Missouri. People are generally not as friendly and traffic gets almost unbearable.



By comparison I will drive to Cody WY once a week, all winter to buy groceries. 70 miles one way. On one 50 mile stretch of that highway we will see a hundred or so of wild horses and several hundred Antelope. Once in a while a coyote. And maybe, just maybe a dozen other vehicles.

 

[DHawthorne]

Your route looks good to me. Came down from Harvard MASS in July via 84 to 81 to 17 to 95 south. Don't known what your towing. I'm at 19,500 combined and had no problems along the route with pulling hills with one exception thru the Blue Ridge mountains. Had to get in 4th one time. Fifth gear was the gear of choice in all cases when you had to get out of 6th.



As mentioned the aftermath of Isabel may be a factor on 81 where the rivers

pass under bridges especially going thur Harrisburg PA. on 81.



If you want a good place to spend the night, try the Cherry Hill Camp ground

off of Rt 50 in Winchester VA. A real pretty place.



Try and plan your passage thru Harford Conn on 84 after 10 am and before 2pm. There is a camp ground off route 495 in Bolton MASS that is difficult to get into. Heading to the west when you turn into it, you must make a 270 turn going down a hill.

My trailer landed on the Vnotch tailgate on the left side just missing the truck body. It bent the pivot on tailgate. Its also hard to get out of as well.



Hope you have a good trip. An exhaust brake would be helpfull at times.



Dave

 

[Jim Smith]

Its a great place to visit and tour. Nice people. good sea food, historic places. Try lunch at Cheers. Campgrounds are nice and wooded and scenic. Don't forget Plymouth, Hyannis, Martha's Vineyard ,Bar Harbor and Boston. Its busy in Boston and there is construction but ask the folks at the campgrounds and they will steer you clear of anything congestions. If you are going that far see it all. You won't be disappointed.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Thanks to all

Thanks to all who replied. As of right now, the trip is on hold (postponed till next year might be a better description) because of a glitch in the personal health picture. All is looking up though. Thanks again. bg

 

[98rammer]

well, if you ever decide to come up to Maine, more specifically the coast, then contact me. i live two towns below Portland.



Tom

 

[Dean Upson]

Take 81 N to Scranton then 84 East. Try to get by Danbury area by 1pm and you should be able to get a pretty good shot to get by Hartford before 3. Should be pretty easy before the insurance companies get out. If you are going to Maine, take 84E to Mass Pike (I90) then 290 (exit 10) follow 290 through Worcester and hit 495 North (Left exit) then 95 NH Turnpike, Maine Tpke, etc.



If you are going to Vermont first take 84 to 691 in Cheshire, CT then get on 91 North and go right up to Vermont. If you get the Lincoln, Conway area of New Hampshire, be sure to take the Kankamagus Highway (113?) it is spectacular. Enjoy your trip to New England, it is beautiful here.



Dean