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95jersey's avatar
95jersey
Explorer
May 15, 2018

Help need ideas for road trip from NJ

I have a 2 week vacation this year and want to take the new camper on a road trip from NJ (south jersey by Philadelphia).

Looking for realistic ideas and ways to maximize the time. I figure we will use 8-10 days and leave the other 4-6 days for rest/packing/unpacking, so we can't really travel across the country, but I would like to hear of any interesting places to go that are in reasonable distance to drive in a big circle, yet have time to see some interesting places you might not normally go.
  • jules6 wrote:
    Great Smoky Mountains, via I95-I85-I40 and return via I81 - Pennsylvania Turnpike. It would be about 4 days travel leaving you with the rest to do what ever you would like.


    We did Nashville - Sayerville TN a few years ago.. What a great trip.... They are about 3-4 hours apart, 12- 13 hours to Nashville to begin the trip,,,, stay a few days, move to Pigeon Forge which is about 3 hours ( If I remember )... See the Great Smokies, possibly Dollywood.. Head home....
  • Great Smoky Mountains, via I95-I85-I40 and return via I81 - Pennsylvania Turnpike. It would be about 4 days travel leaving you with the rest to do what ever you would like.
  • lewisr wrote:
    St.Louis, see the Arch and Budweiser Brewery tour, to West Memphis, Tom Sawyer Campground right on the Mississippi, tour Memphis, to Nashville, venture to Broadway street etc., take Natchez Trace Parkway to Natchez, MS. then To New Orleans then to South Carolina Coast, then to Outer Banks then home.

    Not a bad trip and interesting sites at each place but your suggestion is 3600 miles for them. They're not going to see much but windshield with the time frame the OP has given.
  • Yet another good option, besides the several that have been listed, is the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive and GSMNP, in whatever combination or permutation you wish.

    If you do go to St Louis, check out the City Museum, particularly if you have children. It's wonderful and unique.
  • St.Louis, see the Arch and Budweiser Brewery tour, to West Memphis, Tom Sawyer Campground right on the Mississippi, tour Memphis, to Nashville, venture to Broadway street etc., take Natchez Trace Parkway to Natchez, MS. then To New Orleans then to South Carolina Coast, then to Outer Banks then home.
  • iirc, you have a toy hauler, are you looking to take any toys? A run up to northern New England or upstate NY with a street bike along would be a joy,
    If your riding is dirt, you may want to look west.
  • If you head north, check out Mystic CT, Boston and Plymouth (avoid cape cod in the summer) and head up to new Hampshire or maine.
  • You could travel to WNY, Buffalo is 6 to 7 hr from you.
    We have the top 2 State Parks, Letchworth and Allegany, with wonderful camping!
    And then there is Niagara Falls.
    Cleveland has the Rock and Roll museum.
    And I'll let the PA fokes fill in the trip through their state.
  • If you like the coast and want to escape some heat, check out Acadia National Park. Lots to see and do in that area as well. Just one choice.