Bypass NYC

I-84 west to I-81 south near Scranton PA. It's longer but, you miss all the fun and traffic of NYC.
There are other ways but, that's the route we use when going from PA to New England and back.
From I-81 you then have a couple options to continue south.

I agree, but I take I84 to 87 the thru-way south to 78 then out to 81. Into and out of Scranton are some long pulls The thru-way is a toll road.

It would depend on where exactly you want to end up... Farther East.... Or Farther West....

If wanting to end up west of Lancaster PA then take 84 to 81 . . If staying along the coast , I would do the tappenzee bridge ..

I have traveled round trip to Marlborough MA and North of Philly 4 times in the past 2 weeks, The LONGEST it took me not towing was 5 hours 1 way (accident ) .. IF you time yourself around 95, there is no route faster , smoother YES , faster , no..

We always take 287 and the Tappanzee Bridge. Tappanzee Bridge is actually in halfway decent condition the last time we went over it a couple weeks ago. Seems like it is best to stay in the middle lane - right lane seems to be roughest.

If you look at a map, 287 loops right around NYC. Be careful not to get caught on "parkways", usually trailers / campers are not allowed on them. New Jersey "Garden State Parkway" is different - everything is allowed.

Honestly, some of the worst traffic you may encounter is in Connecticut, as you get closer to New York. I have given up trying to figure out "good" times to travel I95 - if it isn't traffic, it's construction, or a vehicle accident. Just be prepared with "book on tape" or whatever.

Get an EZ Pass, it is really nice breezing through the tolls. An EZ Pass can be setup for a vehicle towing a camper, just go online and fill out the proper information.

Try 2 am. Traffic should be better then!

Moved to Roads and Routes from 5th wheel forum.

I drove a taxi in NYC for a number of years. 95 is shorter by far, but you will have more tolls which are doubled with four axles. If that isn't an issue, then consider leaving early on Sunday. No construction on Sundays, since no one wants to pay the double time. If you get into the city, and y
es, even the Cross Bronx, early around 8am, you will sail through. Otherwise, the 84/81 option is a good choice.

84 to 287/87 over Tappan Zee to 78 to 81. Then it depends on where you want to go from there. If we are headed to Virginia or the Carolinas we pick up 83, go through Harrisburg (easy) and then through MD to the Baltimore Beltway. We stay at Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD, then hit the road early Sunday a.m. to get through both the Beltways before we continue south on 95.

We did 287/TZ bridge/GSP to south Jersey on a Sunday. Pretty easy going. Weekday, I'd do I84 to I87 or I84/US209/I80. However, it depends a lot on where you want to be after NYC.