Traveling northeast suggestions

[Cheapbas]

Taking a trek to the northeast and allowing 2 days to get there. Goal is 84 through Hartford.

My ideas. 301 to 95 to Richmond, VA. Stay overnight, pick up 64 west to 81 and find my way to 84.

Plan B same as above, but head East around Richmond, maybe stay at Virginia Beach, go over bridge tunnel and travel north to a route through jersey.

Any thoughts or recommendations including a CV compliant hotel

[saratogaman]

Avoid 95 (esp. tolls & trucks) by getting 81 thru VA and PA (more scenic, less stressful) and pick up 84 in Scranton.

[PennBF]

A lot of what you are considering as routes and overnights. If you are planning for the trip on a weekend you will gain some help as the roads will be more open. If you are going to hit DC beltway on a workday between 3-6 you will have a couple of hours added to your trip. To get to Rt 84 to Hartford you will be about 1.5 to 2.0 hours from NJ Turnpike to
84 by Newburgh and then about 90 miles to Hartford?

An alternate way is 301 to 10 to 95 by Jacksonville then on 95 to Rocky Mount, NC Overnight. Next day Rocky Mount to Wilmington Delware on 95. Next day from Wilmington, Delware to New Jersey Turnpike and Exit NJ Pike on to Garden State Parkway to NY Turnpike to Newburgh/Beacon bridge to Fishkill,NY. Overnight here (many places to stay) then next day on to Rt 84 and Hartford about 90 Miles.
Just another way to go? Good luck and enjoy your self:coolsmiley:


to NY Turnpike to near
Newburgh Bridge over Hudson River and overnight, (Many places to stay). Next
day Rt 84 to Hartford.

[njbchbum]

Penn BF - Have you made a trip North recently? We left TV 5/19 and traveled the route similar to the one Cheap bas has planned. Left at 10 am and pulled into a Quality Inn in Selma, NC at 6pm...sailed thru with little traffic..and even made stops for b-fast, gas and rest rooms!

Left the following day around the same time and with same stops for b-fast, gas and rest rooms pulled into NJ driveway at 5:30pm! Sailed thru the VA/DC and Balt areas and the NJTPK, too! No holdups as you mentioned that we used to endure. :) 2 day trip was easy peasy compared to the pre-covid trips!

[PennBF]

We have not driven the trip to NY in a few years but for many years had a home in NY about 60 miles north from NY City and on the Hudson. This caused us to make the trip many many times from the Jupiter/Stuart locations as we also had a home there at the same time. Also, family lived in North Carolina so made the trip there, (about 11 hours to Raleigh) from Florida. Thus the suggestion for Rocky Mount as a stop over. I would agree you can do it in 2 days if you are so driven? but by the time you get to the turn off from the Jersey Pike to the Garden State Parkway in Jersey you are pretty darn tired and then drive the Garden State to the NY Thruway and Newburgh/Beacon bridge for Fishkill, NY and RT 84 you are beyond exhausted. We have actually done it in 2 days but it take a couple of days to recover and the trip is not a great deal of fun!! Trouble area's are the Beltway around DC, the Jersey Pike traffic, the Garden State traffic. I really understand you can do it in 2 days but it can and will be very very tiring. Taking in the current lower traffic on the road it may be a hour or so faster but again WHY?:popcorn:

[bob47]

We do this trip every summer. 720 miles to the north side of Richmond on 301 / 95. Next morning about 100 miles to D.C. Either 495 around the city, or 295 right thru the city to either 95 north or Baltimore / Washington Parkway to Baltimore. 83 north thru York and Harrisburg to 81 north. Pick up 84 east at Scranton, across New York, thru Connecticut up thru Hartford. Over 1300 miles to get to Springfield, Mass, about 1400 to get to Boston. We've never had a problem northbound early to mid morning going through D.C. And we've never had an easy trip past D.C. southbound at any time of day.

[njbchbum]

We have not driven the trip to NY in a few years but for many years had a home in NY about 60 miles north from NY City and on the Hudson. This caused us to make the trip many many times from the Jupiter/Stuart locations as we also had a home there at the same time. Also, family lived in North Carolina so made the trip there, (about 11 hours to Raleigh) from Florida. Thus the suggestion for Rocky Mount as a stop over. I would agree you can do it in 2 days if you are so driven? but by the time you get to the turn off from the Jersey Pike to the Garden State Parkway in Jersey you are pretty darn tired and then drive the Garden State to the NY Thruway and Newburgh/Beacon bridge for Fishkill, NY and RT 84 you are beyond exhausted. We have actually done it in 2 days but it take a couple of days to recover and the trip is not a great deal of fun!! Trouble area's are the Beltway around DC, the Jersey Pike traffic, the Garden State traffic. I really understand you can do it in 2 days but it can and will be very very tiring. Taking in the current lower traffic on the road it may be a hour or so faster but again WHY?:popcorn:

Are we related? LOL My Mother used to live in Palm City and we have lotsa fam in NC[Raleigh, Wilson,Wilmington], too! What with the virus shutdowns what they were almost 2 weeks ago - travel is nothing like the old days - or even last year! That was a blessing!

[daca55]

We are taking the same trip next Friday. We are planning to stop only one night so we can limit virus exposure in hotels. We are also looking to stop in Virgina. We are planing to go the same way you are with the exception of getting off Rt 81 at Rt 78 which will take us to the NY Thruway Rt 287. Then we head to Rt 87N to the Mass Pike. We like to avoid Conn because we always get jammed up there. Question has anyone tried driving on Rt 75N to Rt 10 to 95 rather than 75 to 301 to 95? I know it is longer but 301 is so slow with low speed limits and speed traps. We are planning to leave around 3:30AM so traffic on 75 should be light. Curious to hear what you think,

[drgoofy]

I haven't driven it since the shutdown, but I much prefer I-75N to I-10E to I-95N. Much less stressful and you don't have to worry about a speeding ticket through the small towns, although in years past some were notorious ticket mills. Not so bad now.

[Mikee1]

We do this trip every summer. 720 miles to the north side of Richmond on 301 / 95. Next morning about 100 miles to D.C. Either 495 around the city, or 295 right thru the city to either 95 north or Baltimore / Washington Parkway to Baltimore. 83 north thru York and Harrisburg to 81 north. Pick up 84 east at Scranton, across New York, thru Connecticut up thru Hartford. Over 1300 miles to get to Springfield, Mass, about 1400 to get to Boston. We've never had a problem northbound early to mid morning going through D.C. And we've never had an easy trip past D.C. southbound at any time of day.

This is the easiest route with no tolls. It is slightly longer than I95 thru NY but is usually faster due to traffic.
Plus RT 301 bypass around Starke is now open, easy drive now. Much faster than it used to be.

[wiltma]

Mind the speed limit on 301. They will nab you

[Davelinda91]

301-10-295-95-26-77-81-84 but many rest areas are closed. Gas stations are not being cleaned as they should be. Good news, less people on the road.

[smacquart]

Quarantine when you get home!!

[smacquart]

Quarantine when you get home - help get the country back on track

[jnsbill]

I've found going up thru the Ocala National Forest to Palatka, then 17N to Orange Park then the Jax By-Pass 295 to 95 - much nicer ride than 301

[tophcfa]

301-10-295-95-26-77-81-84 but many rest areas are closed. Gas stations are not being cleaned as they should be. Good news, less people on the road.

That’s the way we go, except we go through the Ocala National forest To Palaka, then East to 95 through Hastings. Then 95-26-77-81-84.

[PennBF]

I agree with the suggestion thru Ocala National Forest and then to Palaka
to I95 to Jacksonville. We drive this every 3 months to Mayo Clinic and it
is about 2 1/2 hours from the Villages to 295. :popcorn:

[PennBF]

We are old NC residents. Went to grade school in Wilmington, NC, lived on Wrightsville, Beach. Sister lives in Durham (just moved from Raleigh). Father was Minister at Duke Memorial Church in Durham, NC. Family working at Duke Hospital, another head of
EMS for a County and another working for NC Police. Loved NC and after moving to NY visited Family on regular basis in NC.

[Gbrinton]

I travelled to Harrisburg, PA last week and drove thru DC (95/495/270/15) with no problem. In the past have used Rt 17 at Fredricksburg, VA to cut across from 95 to 81. Appears to be a bit quicker than taking 66 across.
Gary

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

75 to 10 to 95! Usually stop at rocky mount or one exit earlier the head up 81 then to 84 on to Boston there are times when I go str up 95 and cut over to garden state to by pass NYCity . I think the most important thing is to go only on week end . I leave early on Saturday , home in Boston in late afternoon

[jnsbill]

Charlieo - how many hours to Boston - you must be flying

[coastalnh]

We took 75 into Ohio, then another rte (can't remember the number)to 84 to Mass Pike. We made it a leisurely 3 day (2 nights in hotel) trip. Fantastic travels and great views. Only traffic was in Atlanta. I also saw that you could take 75 and catch 81 around Atlanta and go right up to 84.

[loufromnewjersey]

Take 95 to Charlotte NC make a left to 81 then north. This is nicer ride, no tolls and cheaper hotels/motels. Richmond’s hotels very expensive

[Albany]

Just made same trip, I 95 to Federicksburg, VA, then 17 (a truly beautiful drive through horse country) to Winchester VA where you pick up 81. Straight north to I 84, turn east. No problems at all. Motels are open and CV compliant.

[trickson1431]

Traveling to Massachusetts... We drive to Sanford, Florida and take the car on Amtrak's Auto train. Departure is 4:00 pm... arriving Lorton, Va 8:30 the next morning. We traverse on #66 West to #81 North and stay at the Hampton inn, Hagerstown, Md and continue the next morning I-81 North to I-84 East and home. Meals on Auto train included in the price and Breakfast at the Hampton Inn are inclusive. A few hours longer this way.... driving is easier and arrive home rested. We try to leave on a Friday or Saturday ... less traffic!

[popbaby2]

Taking a trek to the northeast and allowing 2 days to get there. Goal is 84 through Hartford.

My ideas. 301 to 95 to Richmond, VA. Stay overnight, pick up 64 west to 81 and find my way to 84.

Plan B same as above, but head East around Richmond, maybe stay at Virginia Beach, go over bridge tunnel and travel north to a route through jersey.

Any thoughts or recommendations including a CV compliant hotel

Unless you drive 12 hours a day, you wont make it in 2 days. We drive to Boston yearly, and while we have done it in two days, its a lot of time on the road, and now we do it in 3 days with an average of 8 hours a day driving. It takes even longer to go via virginia beach. We’ve done that once - a pretty drive, but many hours longer. Avoid NYC if at all possible.

We’ve even made our way to 81 to avoid the traffic and trucks on I95. A longer drive (+4 hrs) but so much prettier, safer and relaxing. BTW, my husband has a lead foot - we are not slow drivers. Another alternative is the auto train from sanford to just south of Washington. But it is expensive. And not sure how safe re covid.

[Merric]

Just completed the 21 hour drive north (TV to Maine) with one night stop. My wife and I took the common route 301/10/295/95 and in 10+ hours driving time stayed the night at the new and affordable Best Western Plus - Thornburg VA which I highly recommend as it being cv compliant. The following day, we continued on 95, across the GW bridge, Merritt Prkway up to Hartford 84. Most traffic encountered were truckers except northern Jersey and metropolitan NY were busy with auto traffic. With the traffic being less than in the past, it made the trip quite enjoyable.

[FredJacobs]

Taking a trek to the northeast and allowing 2 days to get there. Goal is 84 through Hartford.

My ideas. 301 to 95 to Richmond, VA. Stay overnight, pick up 64 west to 81 and find my way to 84.

Plan B same as above, but head East around Richmond, maybe stay at Virginia Beach, go over bridge tunnel and travel north to a route through jersey.

Any thoughts or recommendations including a CV compliant hotel
I drive to NYC 2 or 3 times a year.

My route - 301> I-10 > 95. Overnight in Stony Creek, VA. I leave home at 6 AM and arrive in Stony Creek around 6 PM.

Next day - Leave Stony Creek around 6 AM > 95 North to Exit 104 (Route 207) > Route 301.

Route 301 is an old truck route (before the Interstate System). For most of the ride there is hardly any traffic, you bypass Washington, DC, it's all country with hardly any lights.

When you get off I-95, it is 180 miles to St. Georges, DE. From 301 > Take US 13 North to I-295 East to the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

By leaving Stony Creek early, I usually arrive in NYC around 2 PM. I would take the New Jersey Turnpike to the GW Bridge exit and get on the Palisades Parkway to what used to be the Tappan Zee bridge. Then I-684 to I-84.

[44Apple]

301-95-17-66-81 to Scranton

[Bishop]

301 to 10 but instead of getting on 10 to go around Jacksonville, continue on 301 to Baldwin. Right at light in Baldwin then left onto A-1A after railroad tracks. A1A will take you to Callahan then to 95 above Jacksonville. A-1A is good road and not a lot of traffic.
In Virginia, instead of traveling through DC, take exit 92 at Carmel Church onto 207 E, then go east towards Bowling Green and 301 north. Going this way will avoid DC mess and will connect with route 3 and then route 97 to the Baltimore beltway 695 and north. Check your map for details. Good luck and safe travels.

[Bishop]

Forgot to mention that exit 92 is on 95 north of Richmond VA but before Fredericksburg.

[Worldseries27]

Do yourself a favor. Put away the need for speed and travel north thru the blue ridge parkway. You'll thank yourself forever

[PennBF]

Wow, what a great number of options have been provided. A couple of observations, If you take 301 north there were some old fashion speed traps so it pays to observe the speed limits. If you take the Blue Mountain ride it seems to go forever. It is a great ride
but long, Going on 81 north, as I recall when I used this route I ended up on 209 out of Stroudsburg, NY and it is a 2 lane road for about 20-30 miles and unpleasant. They even stopped trucks from using this Rte. It actually ends up on 84. One note recommended taking 295 through Washington, DC rather than beltway and that is a much better way to get through DC and avoiding a lot of the Beltway. If boredom comes on a good option is getting off 95 around Virginia Border and going east and taking the Chessapeak Bridge and going up through NJ to Wilmington Delaware bridge. It is great farm land and less traveled. Just some ideas from many trips we took from Florida to Mid Hudson Valley in NY.:popcorn:

[Clarinet]

For 15 years we have taken 301 all the way to Orangeburg, SC then briefly on 95 to exit 13. I 74 to Greensboro, NC. Continue to Danville, VA. Take a scenic drive on rte 29 toward Charlottesville. West on I-64, then join I-81 North. Depending on final destination stay on 81 all the way through to Scranton and either take 81 north to I-88 or I-84 east toward Hartford. Trip takes no more time than an all interstate ride and has some enjoyable relaxing scenery.

[wseward]

When we drove home to upstate NY at the end of March the traffic was pretty light because of Covid. We stayed in hotels in the Hilton chain. They were very compliant to the proper Covid protocols. Felt safe

[Paper1]

Just made same trip, I 95 to Federicksburg, VA, then 17 (a truly beautiful drive through horse country) to Winchester VA where you pick up 81. Straight north to I 84, turn east. No problems at all. Motels are open and CV compliant.

We are leaving for Maine Sat am using the route you used. Any trouble with gas stations being open? Plan on over night in Salem Va at Laquinta as we are traveling with animals and pushing through on 2nd day.

[REDCART]

At AAA’s direction we also tried this route. Yes it’s scenic but circuitous. 17 is a shared highway with many other route numbers and it can be confusing without GPS. We drove it once and determined that we’d never do it again. At night it would have been more confusing. If you wish to take 81, the preferred route from TV is 95 to 26 to 77 to 81 N, in my humble opinion. BTW, 77 is also quite scenic.