Hi, Looking for tips and advice. I consider ourselves still newbies. We have only been campers for the past 3 years and have never traveled more than 3-4 hours from home. This is our first big travel and I am a little nervous, the driver (my husband) is not. We have driven many times to MB, but not with a TT. We will be leaving on a Wednesday, between 3-5 pm from Albany, NY. I am looking for advice on best route overall to take with TT, and I hate traffic. Also, any advice if possible for ideal gas stops and any recommendations of a place to stop just to grab a few hours sleep. We do not want a campground, we will only rest for a few hours and get back on the road. I was thinking somewhere close to Fredericksburg?Appreciate any other tips for traveling to MB. Thank you!

Hi. Would take I 87 South into NJ, then pick up I 287S/Rt 17 S. Follow to Rt 18 (towards New Brunswick)to pick up NJ Twpk South(I 95 South) You can get off the Turnpike at I 195 which will connect with I 295 (parallels the Turnpike) right to the Delaware Memorial Bridge - or stay on the Turnpike. Right after the bridge I would stay left to follow roads towards Baltimore (I 95). Shortly after the Delaware Service Center we leave 95 and take RT 896 (right exit) to Rt 301 South. Not faster, but far less traffic and you will miss Baltimore and Washington DC going this way! No tunnels, no beltways! Follow 301 through Maryland (it will join with US 50 towards Annapolis). You will go across the Bay Bridge - not the Bridge Tunnel. You will go through Waldorf and La Plata, then cross the Potomac River Bridge (one lane each way, but not too bad) and finally reach RT 207 towards I 95 and Richmond. You'll pick up I 95 around exit 104 in Va. Suggest you take I 295 around Richmond and Petersburg (Exit 84 A - wider lanes and less traffic! Pick I95 back up around mile 46 South of Petersburg. From there, I 95 through Va and NC until exit 13 in Lumberton, NC forI 74/US 74 East. Take until sign for NC 130 East/NC 410 East towards Whiteville. Stay on 410 East through Chadbourn to Us 701 South in Tabor City. Take the "by pass" through Tabor City and cross into SC. From there, Pick up SC 9 East. I you pm me your campground in MB, I can give you the easiest directions from there. It matters where you're staying. We have made this trip (actually from the Jersey Shore to MB) dozens of times with RV - have found it to be most practical and misses some expensive tolls and some very heavy traffic as well. Safe travels.

Suggest you obtain a Pilot/Flying J gas card. You can apply on line. You'll get 6 cents off a gallon at their truck/RV stops with the card. Almost all have easy access for RVs. If you use diesel fuel, an even bigger discount. There are also Loves truck stops along the way. No discount, but also very easy access. Not familiar with too many non-campground stops along the way, but we have used Americamps just north of Richmond (If you choose this, don't go onto 295) and also a CG at exit 171 in NC on I 95 at Carolina Crossroads. Another nice stop (may not be convenient for your trip) is RVACATIONS CG around Exit 97ish in NC on 95. You may also want to go to Walmart and get a Rand McNally Atlas. Lists every Walmart in the US. There's also a site (http://www.frugal-rv-travel.com/rest-stops.html) that shows legal overnight parking at rest stops. Here's another site that may be helpful: http://www.allstays.com/c/camping-overnight-rv-parking.htm Again, safe trip and enjoy MB!

I swore I would never pull a trailer on the Baltimore Washington Beltway again. I would take I-88 to I-81 to I-66 to 17 and get on I-95 just north of Richmond. There is a Flying J on 81 near Winchester ,Virginia and another one on I-95 near Richmond.It's longer but no white knuckle driving like on the beltway.

RGar974417 wrote:I swore I would never pull a trailer on the Baltimore Washington Beltway again. I would take I-88 to I-81 to I-66 to 17 and get on I-95 just north of Richmond. There is a Flying J on 81 near Winchester ,Virginia and another one on I-95 near Richmond.It's longer but no white knuckle driving like on the beltway.This

2 Retired's route is one choice. We did this last fall on the way south. Be aware that the first 20 miles of 301 is thump-thump concrete. The rest is fine. Interesting to note that US301 was the way to get from the northeast to Florida in the days before I-95. My grandfather use to drive this route every winter in his Rambler.A second choice is to take I-80 or I-78 off of I-287 to I-81. From there you can take US50 out of Winchester VA or I-66 back to I-95. This also misses all of Baltimore/Washington DC. We did I-95 to I-40 to I-140 north of Wilmington to pick up US17.

Best route Albany, ny to Myrtle Beach with TT | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Atlee
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2016
If you are speaking of I295 around Richmond and Petersburg, it doesn't come into play until after the Americamps campground.

Americamps is at the Lewistown exit, which is about 2 miles north of the I295/I95 interchange.

2 Retired wrote:
Suggest you obtain a Pilot/Flying J gas card. You can apply on line. You'll get 6 cents off a gallon at their truck/RV stops with the card. Almost all have easy access for RVs. If you use diesel fuel, an even bigger discount. There are also Loves truck stops along the way. No discount, but also very easy access. Not familiar with too many non-campground stops along the way, but we have used Americamps just north of Richmond (If you choose this, don't go onto 295) and also a CG at exit 171 in NC on I 95 at Carolina Crossroads. Another nice stop (may not be convenient for your trip) is RVACATIONS CG around Exit 97ish in NC on 95. You may also want to go to Walmart and get a Rand McNally Atlas. Lists every Walmart in the US. There's also a site (http://www.frugal-rv-travel.com/rest-stops.html) that shows legal overnight parking at rest stops. Here's another site that may be helpful: http://www.allstays.com/c/camping-overnight-rv-parking.htm Again, safe trip and enjoy MB!
Sasha12919
Explorer
Jul 15, 2016
HI All.
Just wanted to thank everyone for your advice and suggestions. It was extremely helpful.
So we did our trip this past Wednesday. Arriving safely with no hiccups!

We went 87,287,78, 81, 66, 17 to 95. We hardly had any traffic and was probably the easiest camper drive we have experienced.

Thank you all again so much. You saved a few gray hairs.
ramzfam
Explorer
Jul 12, 2016
We go to MB twice a year from central VA and have relatives in Schenectady. I'd pick your best route to I81. South to Stanton, Va. East on I64 to Charlottesville. South on US 29 to Greensboro, NC. US220 south(also signed as I74 or future I74) to Rockingham, NC. In Rockingham take I74 bypass to US38. The section from I74 to Bennettsville, SC is the only 2 lane road on the route. Follow US38 to Marion , SC. Take US501 south to MB.
Campincarters
Explorer
Jul 12, 2016
First of all nothing to be nervous about. Enjoy the journey. I for one would go 287 to 78 then to 81 south to 64 to Richmond then to 95 south. Plenty of Flying J's or Pilots to fill up along the way. We always liked taking rt 9 in Dillon SC to North Myrtle then take the 31 bypass which runs parallel to the coast in Myrtle to where your campground is. I have driven 95 to many times can't stand driving thru Washington DC or Baltimore or New York anymore. Maybe a little longer via mileage to go around on 81 but much nicer ride. Enjoy the Shenandoah Valley.
Bmach
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2016
Seeing the time you are leaving stay on 95 all the way down and take the belt ways around DC and Baltimore. You can drive right through Richmond at night. Of course all this is dependent on getting there by around 5:00 am.
ct1964ups
Explorer
Jul 11, 2016
Sasha12919 wrote:
Hi,
Looking for tips and advice.
I consider ourselves still newbies. We have only been campers for the past 3 years and have never traveled more than 3-4 hours from home. This is our first big travel and I am a little nervous, the driver (my husband) is not. We have driven many times to MB, but not with a TT.

We will be leaving on a Wednesday, between 3-5 pm from Albany, NY. I am looking for advice on best route overall to take with TT, and I hate traffic.

Also, any advice if possible for ideal gas stops and any recommendations of a place to stop just to grab a few hours sleep. We do not want a campground, we will only rest for a few hours and get back on the road. I was thinking somewhere close to Fredericksburg?

Appreciate any other tips for traveling to MB.
Thank you!

we had friends from Selkirk and did MB for many years together...we woud go down 87 to Sufferin and take 287 for 45 miles to 78....78 to 81 to 66 near Front Royal,Va....66 to rt 17 around Warrenton,Va to 95...then straight down 95,not using the bypass at Richmomd, to Latta,SC ..this is a little longer but it is nice driving.....we always stayed in Wincester,Va both going and coming.....so pull in and use the Flying J....in Winchester....Chuck
WestEndEd
Explorer
Jul 11, 2016
Sasha12919 wrote:
Hi,
Looking for tips and advice.

We will be leaving on a Wednesday, between 3-5 pm from Albany, NY. I am looking for advice on best route overall to take with TT, and I hate traffic.

Also, any advice if possible for ideal gas stops and any recommendations of a place to stop just to grab a few hours sleep. We do not want a campground, we will only rest for a few hours and get back on the road. I was thinking somewhere close to Fredericksburg?

Appreciate any other tips for traveling to MB.
Thank you!

Leaving midweek is a good idea but if you truly hate traffic. I would avoid I95 at all costs.
Especially the beltway and I 95 S between DC and Richmond, Va. Though if you leave Albany b/t 3 and 5 you might pass thru when traffic is low.

I have used the Walmart in the huge shopping center near I95 exit 130 Fredericksburg Va many times without an issue.

Gas up in Jersey if you can not make SC on one tank. Cheapest state for fuel between NJ and SC. I have the Flying J RV card though lately (Jan 2016 to present) I've found stations close by FJ's and Pilots have been cheaper for diesel even after my discount so I fuel up elsewhere.

If you have smartphone get GAS BUDDY app. Good app to search for fuel prices.
jplante4
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2016
2 Retired's route is one choice. We did this last fall on the way south. Be aware that the first 20 miles of 301 is thump-thump concrete. The rest is fine. Interesting to note that US301 was the way to get from the northeast to Florida in the days before I-95. My grandfather use to drive this route every winter in his Rambler.

A second choice is to take I-80 or I-78 off of I-287 to I-81. From there you can take US50 out of Winchester VA or I-66 back to I-95. This also misses all of Baltimore/Washington DC. We did I-95 to I-40 to I-140 north of Wilmington to pick up US17.
K_Charles
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
RGar974417 wrote:
I swore I would never pull a trailer on the Baltimore Washington Beltway again. I would take I-88 to I-81 to I-66 to 17 and get on I-95 just north of Richmond. There is a Flying J on 81 near Winchester ,Virginia and another one on I-95 near Richmond.It's longer but no white knuckle driving like on the beltway.

This
RGar974417
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
I swore I would never pull a trailer on the Baltimore Washington Beltway again. I would take I-88 to I-81 to I-66 to 17 and get on I-95 just north of Richmond. There is a Flying J on 81 near Winchester ,Virginia and another one on I-95 near Richmond.It's longer but no white knuckle driving like on the beltway.