[grayesun]

Yes, it's just about here...we leave in 4 days, finally getting out of MA for good and heading down to our home in TV. We'll be leaving Saturday 11/28 early AM and arriving at TV on Monday afternoon. Driving down in a 27' U-Haul truck towing my SUV behind.

We drove down in October and stayed 1 night in Stony Creek, VA and one night in Kingsland, GA, leaving a short drive to TV on the 3rd day which worked out just fine.

A few questions for anyone else out there that has already made this type of move:

My 1st experience driving a truck this big and also towing a vehicle - any driving tips? We're planning on sharing the driving & Bev is a bit nervous too.

We're thinking that leaving early Sat AM (around 4 or 5) will give us smooth sailing (light traffic volume) thru NY and DC with all the holiday folks/drivers already at their destinations - any comments or suggestions?

Any other suggestions of overnight places to stop along the way, just off the highway (I95)suitable for truck with car in tow? Stony Creek was good but would rather avoid Kingsland.

Thanks and be seeing you soon.

[starflyte1]

I don't think that you can back up, so my tip to you is do NOT assume that all Cracker Barrels and Burger Kings have a drive that goes all the way through.

[l2ridehd]

I have made the drive several times. Twice with a U-Haul and twice towing a trailer. Never with a U-Haul plus trailer. I guess my question would be why 3 days. I live in the very most Northern VA and it takes me a maximum of 14 hours. It also takes me almost 3 hours to get to where your first stop is in Stoney Creek. So the 2nd day would be only an 11 hour day even driving the truck. If again you leave around 5 AM, you should be there by 4 PM in the afternoon. However if you really want to spend another night this is how I have made my plan. I go to the Hampton Inn web site and find them about every 100 miles for the entire trip. That way if I had a slow down for some reason, traffic, construction, equipment failure, or I was just tired, I can call ahead to the next one and have a place ready to stay overnight.

There seems to be one along 95 the entire way. Even along 10 out to 301 there are a couple. I mapquest each one, and print a map that shows the exit number, has the address and phone number of the hotel, which side of 95 it is located on, and I even did the aerial view to make sure they had parking space for a truck.

Doing it this way you can travel as far as you want based on how you feel. So far I only stayed over one time as I didn't leave until around 1:00 in the afternoon. Have called a few on other trips, just to test to see if they had rooms and they always did.

[wmchale]

We Made the trip from Methuen Ma. it takes 20 hours. have way point is at the Va NC. line. If you leave early in the morning you can stop in Wilson NC just of I95. It is about 11 to 12 hrs from MA. From there it is a little over 9 hours. just be careful with the trailor and bouth of you keep your eyes out for trafic

[otherbruddaDarrell]

Just practice "good sense" driving.
Each time you stop, do a walk around and make sure all the tires and lights are fine. Check the hitch on the trailer and see if it is still tightened up.
Do not go thru drive thru's as some vans will be too tall and cause damage.
Only park where you can pull out instead of backing out. Use your turn lights every time and put them on well in advance.
If you have a gps I would suggest using it as it will notify you well in advance as to which lane to get in.
Stay out of the far left passing lane unless it is really needed.
Try to look at traffic far ahead and give plenty of space between vehicles.
Good luck and have a safe journey.

[katezbox]

Our personal preference is to eliminate as much of 95 as possible - and still stay on interstates. The NJ-MD-DC-NOVA area is really no fun. Instead we take the Tappan Zee Bridge (only take GWB early in the morning - i.e. by 6).

Stay on 287 to route 80 in PA - hang a left onto Rour 82 just before you get to Harrisburg - yes this is further west - but can eliminate tons of traffic. Stay on 81 thru VA until you pick up 77 north of Charlotte - then pick up 98 south.

Your only traffficky place is really Atlanta - and the ride is just beautiful and far less stressful. There are some steep grades along 81 - so maybe someone with experience with towing may tell you it is a bad idea.

Good luck.

PS we are from eastern Mass (nubs) and Western Mass originally

[grayesun]

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions so far...as said we drove down on weekdays in early October mostly on I-95 and it was only busy in a couple spots, hardly at all after DC. It took us ~20 hours; ~9, ~8 and ~3 hours on a relaxing leisurely trip. We figure on following about the same timetable, not pushing the 65mph envelope due to truck/trailer size. Will check out that alternate (more westerly) route on mapquest (more miles?), but I'm thinking I-95 (shortest) will be real quiet over the holiday weekend?

Lots of good driving tips, will definitely avoid any backing-up manuveurs.

BTW: My sudden developing of sciatic problems in the last couple months hopefully will be neutralized by a back extender gizmo just acquired...we'll see.

Thanks again, Gary & Bev

[kchelemer]

My suggestion would be to wait until Monday to leave. Thanksgiving is one of the most traveled weekends. Many people will be traveling home on Saturday and Sunday. We travel from NC to DC a few times a year and find weekdays are best. For some reason weekend traffic has become very heavy on I-95 both traveling north and south, no matter what time of year.

Good luck and safe travels!

Kathy

[grayesun]

Hey there folks...

Well we did make it into TV on Mon @ 11AM for our walk through & closing in the afternoon...what a drive!!

Too much traffic, too noisy in cab (nerve wrackingly loud in a relatively new GMC truck; 26K miles), a couple major accidents ahead of us on I-95 (in NJ & GA) set us back 3 hours & roads too narrow - I swear about 6" clearance on each side of truck/trailer (in GA between jersey barriers) - needless to say, my better half decided against getting behind the wheel at all. We've got a much better appreciation of the difficulties for tractor-trailer drivers, whether finding a place to eat or sleep or get gas (nearly got stuck in a "small" gas station bay & did have to back out...what a thrill!)

So anyway, we're here, moved in and deeply into unpacking & getting settled into what we hope will be home for a good long time.

Final thoughts on driving down from MA: We went into it as an adventure, thinking it would be exciting and enjoyable...it wasn't, not at all & doubtful I'd ever do it again or recommend it to anyone not experienced driving a larger sized truck or having someone to share the helm.

Bev & Gary - alive & well in Santo Domingo

[champion6]

I cringed as I read your message. WOW! Glad you made it. So relax, the best is yet to come!

[sschuler1]

grayesun, I would have to agree with you...it was not enjoyable at all!!!!! We drove a 26' Penske truck from Michigan....took us 21 hours of drive time and two days of raging headaches from all the noise and shaking. And ours was a very new truck also....only 46,000 miles on the truck. So glad all that is over, as I'm sure that you are also! Welcome

[katezbox]

Glad you made it safely... Now for the fun.

(And I selfishly feel a bit vindicated in your traffic tales of 95 - that is why I always do my best to stay off it as much as possible on trips north).