First time traveling from NJ to Maine

Do NOT take the Merritt! Major height restrictions, a tunnel and narrow lanes and no sight distance. Anything larger than a car, pickup or SUV is illegal.

As alternate routes, 287 over the Tappan Zee to 684 to 84, or a longer but never any traffic way is the Thruway north towards Albany then pick up the Mass Pike extension. 60 miles further to the Mass Pike - 84 interchange but frequently less travel time.

Ctrl DOT says "Vehicles over 8 feet (2.4 m) in height, weighing more than 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg), towing a trailer, or containing more than four wheels are not allowed on the parkway." So maybe you shouldn't go that way.

Thank you Lumpty for info on Merritt. What about the northern part of Garden State Parkway?

We are at GSP exit 105. RVs are OK the full length of the GSP. No trucks allowed north of exit 105. When we go to Maine, we take the GSP to I287 over the Tappan Zee Bridge to I684 to I84 to I90 to I495 to I95 into Maine.

Between about exit 135 and 150 there are some arched bridges with low sections on the shoulder of the GSP, although I don't think any are less than 13ft even at the shoulder. No issue with height if you stay one lane from the right or left in that section. These bridge heights are well signed.

North part of the GSP has some bridges with under 13' clearance at the sides, you have to be VERY careful about what lane your in. As said, do NOT try the Merrit - its a no-go.

Take the GSP to I-287 North, follow either over the Tapanzee (now renamed) to 84 or my preference is to take the NYS Thruway up to I-90 East towards Boston, pick up 495 AROUND Boston to 95 North. There is a Cabelas off 495 in Mass that you can boondock in. Used to even have a dump station but we never used it.

Basically seconding Lumpty's post.

We find 84 through CT to be a bear, always hit traffic. You won't enjoy 95 traveling north of NYC towards Boston.

After numerous trips to Maine, we prefer to drive a touch further and avoid the traffic delays, rough roads and aggravation that the other routes always provided to us.

Adding an odd but of information, the Pallisades Parkway is fine for 13' all the way to the Tappan Zee as well.

I took that to the rest of what everyone is saying.

You're in for a treat in Maine. One if the best spots in the USA. Enjoy!

Just a note:

Pick your travel time carefully, rush hour traffic from GSP mile 120 to WestChester is hell. I leave home in central NJ about 3-4 AM to avoid all the
traffic. Then get to the rest area south of Brewster and take a nap.

I used to commute that route - it can get really bad.

Before we moved we did Exit 63 to Cape Cod a half dozen times a year. Always north on Sunday and south on a weekday to miss traffic in North Jersey and CT. Alternatively we would leave NJ at 9am to miss rush hour everywhere, but then we had to catch a later ferry from the Cape.

Dave

Lumpty wrote:
Do NOT take the Merritt! Major height restrictions, a tunnel and narrow lanes and no sight distance. Anything larger than a car, pickup or SUV is illegal.

As alternate routes, 287 over the Tappan Zee to 684 to 84, or a longer but never any traffic way is the Thruway north towards Albany then pick up the Mass Pike extension. 60 miles further to the Mass Pike - 84 interchange but frequently less travel time.

X2. This is the route we take. Beware any CT parkway!

The road surface condition of I84 in Connecticut is far from great. Especially in a camper / truck, you will feel the potholes, bumps, and cracks. Just something to be ready for, you can't really do anything about it!