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Vt_Rv's avatar
Vt_Rv
Explorer
Oct 18, 2015

Driving from Vt to Ft. Myers Fl. I81 or I95?

I'm leaving Wednesday from Vermont headed to Fort Myers, Fl. I plan to cut over to NY and take 87 over to 88 and 81 down to Scranton Pa. This way I avoid NY City and all the tolls of the Garden State Parkway. From there I'm debating staying on 81 south past Charlotte before pick up 95 to Florida or dropping down from Scranton to 95 just south of DC.

According to Google Maps the time is only 20 minutes more but I'm thinking 95 would be more congested.

Is anyone familiar with 81? We'll be taking our motorhome with toad so being that 81 runs along the edge of the Shenandoah Valley will I be pulling hills the whole trip? As I recall 95 if fairly level.

Any route advise would be appreciated:)
Roads and Routes

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  • petendoll's avatar
    petendoll
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2015
    We live in Florida and have relatives in NY. We travel your proposed route all the time. I hate I 95 with a passion. It is flat but too many busy sections. Your proposed route is hilly but nothing serious. Maybe you will use a bit more gas.
  • AdirondackJack's avatar
    AdirondackJack
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2015
    We have taken many different routes to Tampa from Upstate NY over the years and have settled on one that is best for us and also used by many other Snowbirds. It misses all of the big cities and most of the hassle of I-95. We plotted it on our website at http://www.snowbirdrvtrails.com/besteastcoastrvroutesouth.htm. Safe travels and enjoy your journey - Jack & Niki
  • agwill's avatar
    agwill
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2015
    I have taken 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 for years but I also crossed over on 64. I go west to 87 as I am in the northern part of Vermont and then hit 84 to 209 a slow but nice route to 33 to 22 and hit 78 to 81 all good routes. Have fun explore.

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