Baltimore/washington Parkway with a 5th wheel tralier

I researched this recently:
http://www.learntorv.com/2013/11/road-tunnel-restrictions-near-maryland.html

When I contacted the National Park Service, they had this to say about their "commercial truck restrictions":

Is this vehicle registered Commercial? And YES we do have height restrictions. We have bridges under passes, which would not allow anything over 13 ft.

I asked where the 13' overpasses were but didn't get any response.

IMO, stick to I-95 instead of 295 (Baltimore/Wasington Parkway).

There are no height restrictions with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. You have to take it or the topside of I-695 around Baltimore since you can't go through the Baltimore tunnels with propane. I prefer it over the top side.

The lower half of the BW parkway from I495 to MD198 has older stone underpasses for the hiway traffic. But I cannot remember the official height. Being one that grew up on Long Island, I can tell you I have thing against driving anything taller then my F350 on any road named a parkway unless I have been around it and know otherwise.

We've done it in the 5'er and Endura with no issue but I agree with ependydad-the topside is less stressful.

There is really no advantage to taking 295 vs 95. It is only 2 lanes each direction and a bit more congested than 95.
While I don't believe you'll have any clearance issues, the road is not set up for trucks. It is a commuter road designed with lots of cars in mind.
I understand 295 allows for more direct route however the traffic patterns eliminate any advantage. Take 95 to 695 south to the Key Bridge.
In the wee morning hours or late evening hours(non rush hour times)you may take 695 north around to 95 N as well.
295 may look better on paper however it is a Parkway with lots of commuter traffic.

Tour Buses drive BW Parkway all the time. BW Parkway is less stressful during non-rush hour periods as the traffic moves at around 65 instead of 75+ and being only two lanes, people are lane jumping much less. Going North, drive it in the morning - afternoon traffic backs it up beginning around 2:30PM. Going South, drive it in the late morning/afternoon - traffic jams end around 11AM. I would avoid it Sunday afternoons during baseball season - traffic both ways when there are home games at either end.

Lantley wrote:
There is really no advantage to taking 295 vs 95. It is only 2 lanes each direction and a bit more congested than 95.
While I don't believe you'll have any clearance issues, the road is not set up for trucks. It is a commuter road designed with lots of cars in mind.
I understand 295 allows for more direct route however the traffic patterns eliminate any advantage. Take 95 to 695 south to the Key Bridge.
In the wee morning hours or late evening hours(non rush hour times)you may take 695 north around to 95 N as well.
295 may look better on paper however it is a Parkway with lots of commuter traffic.

Concur wholeheartedly.

Shot-N-Az wrote:

Lantley wrote:
There is really no advantage to taking 295 vs 95. It is only 2 lanes each direction and a bit more congested than 95.
While I don't believe you'll have any clearance issues, the road is not set up for trucks. It is a commuter road designed with lots of cars in mind.
I understand 295 allows for more direct route however the traffic patterns eliminate any advantage. Take 95 to 695 south to the Key Bridge.
In the wee morning hours or late evening hours(non rush hour times)you may take 695 north around to 95 N as well.
295 may look better on paper however it is a Parkway with lots of commuter traffic.

Concur wholeheartedly.

x3

ependydad wrote:
I researched this recently:
http://www.learntorv.com/2013/11/road-tunnel-restrictions-near-maryland.html

When I contacted the National Park Service, they had this to say about their "commercial truck restrictions":

Is this vehicle registered Commercial? And YES we do have height restrictions. We have bridges under passes, which would not allow anything over 13 ft.

I asked where the 13' overpasses were but didn't get any response.

I re-contacted the NPS and got clarification on the statement regarding "which would not allow anything over 13 ft". They said that there is one bridge that is 14' 2" at Good Luck Road which is inside of the DC beltway and not between the two.

NPS wrote:
Hello Sir, after looking at bridge reports I see the lowest bridge on Parkway is 14.2' and that is at Good Luck Rd bridge.

I'd still not take the parkway and would opt for 95. I have yet to drive it where traffic didn't get gummed up (weekday, weekend, morning, evening, you name it- I'm a traffic magnet on that dang road).

ependydad wrote:
I'd still not take the parkway and would opt for 95. I have yet to drive it where traffic didn't get gummed up (weekday, weekend, morning, evening, you name it- I'm a traffic magnet on that dang road).

It is not you, it's just that road. I lived in Laurel for over 10 years, first at Russett and then down off 197. It has and always is busy from 8a-9p almost 7 days a week with the gridlock lasting 6-9 and 3-7 from the beltway to 32.

I just traveled on the 295 north from DC. The Baltimore Washington Pkwy was a little busy at 4pm but very do able. Also went through the Baltimore Harbor tunnel, No problems ?? I'm driving a 2500 ram towing a Bighorn 5th wheel. 13ft, 3 inch tall truck&trailer =60ft.