Which is a better route around NY City area for a 42ft motorhome and towing.I've never driven our rig (or a car for that matter) anywhere near northeast United States and need some help. Which route is better for a big rig: Allentown, PA to Portsmouth, NH.A) From Allentown: I-78 East to I-287 North then I-87 North to Newburgh, NY then East on I-84 then East on I-90 to I-495 North to I-95 North.B) From Allentown: I-476 North to Lehighton then East on 209 to Stroudsburg continue on 209 northeast to Milford near I-84. Then east on I-84 to I-90 East then I-495 North to I-95 North.I'm also wondering: Where are any halfway decent/good rv parks along either route?

You won't have issues with bridge or tunnel heights on the Interstate Routes. Once off the interstate system I would carefully plan the route to avoid low clearance issues and maybe find a trucker or RVer atlas or website to help you navigate to where you want to go.

Having lived in the area of Milford for years We would take 78 thru Allentown the take 33 north to Route 209 on to rt 80 (209) east then 209 along the Delaware River. This part of 209 is single lane and takes you thru the National Rec area. It is a beautiful ride and gives you a break from the interstates. When you get to Milford go straigth thru the traffic light (rt6) up to rt 84 then east toward Port Jervis New York. It will take you straight to Newburg and no tolls except for the bridge across the Hudson and not the constant commuter traffic. Enjoy your trip

B) has way less traffic so during the week I would go that way..When you get to Stroudsburg you will find 209 closed to all commercial traffic. This is not a weight restriction but an esthetics closure.See route 209 here about half way down the page.

Take the A route. You will white knuckle it through the Rt 209 route due to keeping it between the lines on the many turns. Alot of stop and go traffic in some areas.I used to live across the river. It is a very beautiful area, but you wont see too much in a 42 footer with a toad. JMO

The good thing about driving anywhere near NYC, is that there's so much traffic, you crawl along. Makes driving the bus a lot easier, as long as you plan your lane changes well in advance.

I'm a first time northeast driver and I'm uneasy..

29 Replies

darsben
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2013
StephJohn2010 wrote:
darsben wrote:
B) has way less traffic so during the week I would go that way..

When you get to Stroudsburg you will find 209 closed to all commercial traffic. This is not a weight restriction but an esthetics closure.

See route 209 here about half way down the page.

So this tells me that there may be some low hanging branches maybe then on 209 NE of Stroudsburg. Which way do truckers go then? Up I-80/I-380 towards Scranton?? That would add 50 miles, but maybe good for me to lessen the white knuckle stuff.

I80 t0 380 is the truckers route. There is a long steep uphill grade going from Stroudsburg to 380. There is a special slow lane as well for under 45 MPH.

If you need no services there is an outlet mall with RV/BUS parking area where you could overnight. Tannersville exit make a right and then the first left. The outlets are on your right and the RV/Bus parking was on the left 6 months ago.
IF you have a lady with you she might enjoy the shopping.
StephJohn2010
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
darsben wrote:
B) has way less traffic so during the week I would go that way..

When you get to Stroudsburg you will find 209 closed to all commercial traffic. This is not a weight restriction but an esthetics closure.

See route 209 here about half way down the page.

So this tells me that there may be some low hanging branches maybe then on 209 NE of Stroudsburg. Which way do truckers go then? Up I-80/I-380 towards Scranton?? That would add 50 miles, but maybe good for me to lessen the white knuckle stuff.
StephJohn2010
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
RVUSA wrote:
42 feet and first time driving an rv? wow buy some driving gloves, you are bound for blisters otherwise. It will take a while until you experience most of the things that happens on the roads with a big rig so just stay relaxed.

OP here: I am green, but I have driven from South Dakota to Ventura, Ca to Phoenix, Tucson to Denver, to Oklahoma City, to Baton Rouge. So some experience but I realize I have many many years before I'm considered good/comfortable. Hence me being uneasy about the Northeast area that I have zero experience with. All I know is there is A-Lot of people over there. We plan on going to Gettysburg to Maine in the future.
RVUSA
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
42 feet and first time driving an rv? wow buy some driving gloves, you are bound for blisters otherwise. It will take a while until you experience most of the things that happens on the roads with a big rig so just stay relaxed.
Crowe
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
A. We do it in reverse.
Ed_C
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
B... but in CT take I/691 to I/91 to 5 to I/84 sounds complicated but it's easy and it takes you right around Hartford. My Garmin routes me that way. Just did that route Fri & Sat.
pennysmom09
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
StephJohn2010 wrote:
Which is a better route around NY City area for a 42ft motorhome and towing.

I've never driven our rig (or a car for that matter) anywhere near northeast United States and need some help. Which route is better for a big rig: Allentown, PA to Portsmouth, NH.

A) From Allentown: I-78 East to I-287 North then I-87 North to Newburgh, NY then East on I-84 then East on I-90 to I-495 North to I-95 North.

B) From Allentown: I-476 North to Lehighton then East on 209 to Stroudsburg continue on 209 northeast to Milford near I-84. Then east on I-84 to I-90 East then I-495 North to I-95 North.

I'm also wondering: Where are any halfway decent/good rv parks along either route?

X2
That is the route we use.
pennysmom09
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
GENECOP wrote:
Avoid going anywhere near NY, not sure of your beginning and end points but if heading north of Ny from the south put Newburgh Ny into your navigator, Newburgh will take you west of the mess, trust me I have been driving in the area for 30 years. We move our MH from CT to SC every year and back again.......avoid the tristate area.....I 95, GW Bridge, it's all a mess....

X2
We took 95 to the GW bridge recently, without our RV......never again!! A nightmare!
artguys
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
Interstate 287 in New Jersey...done it many times...no tolls...non rush hour traffic no problem.
obgraham
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
I'm also with route "B". 209 through Delaware Gap was no problem with my DP and toad. Delaware Gap KOA is an okay overnight, though a bit of a swamp when I was there a year ago. There is a handy Valero fuel stop with easy access at Port Jervis, on SR23 just over the NJ state line.

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I'm a first time northeast driver and I'm uneasy..

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