Maritimes to Florida
We are planning a east coast trip from Alberta to the Maritimes and then south to Florida next fall. We are thinking that we would be leaving the Maritimes somewhere around the end of October or begin...
Forum Discussion
First thing is to do some research about the dates. Many campgrounds close after Thanksgiving (Canadian Thanksgiving so mid-October) in the Maritimes. Late October and early November - definite chance of freezing temps and snow, even if snow isn't really very likely to be serious in any way. There are two routes out of here to the south, and maybe a third. First is the highway - Transcanada west past Fredericton, border crossing to the top of I95 in Maine. Second is NB-1 along the Bay of Fundy past St John to the St Stephen's border crossing into Maine. This is all expressway to the Border but two-lane ( Rte 9, nice windy, hilly two-lane) pretty much to Bangor Maine, where you pick up 1-95. There is a nice gas station at the turn onto Rte 9, and nothing till Bangor, so fuel there if you are need gas in the next 100 KM or so.
The possible third route out is a ferry that might be operating out of Yarmouth NS to Portland Maine. It isn't operational yet, but might be fun. From the ferry you get onto I-95 south, like always...
From there it's basically choices. I-95 south all the way to Florida is something everyone should do once, with appropriate bypasses of Boston, New York City, Washington. It's actually a nice drive, no mountains, but prone to Nor-easters at that time of year. All more western routes will have mountains to some extent. All I-81 does is bypass Washington DC, effectively, you still get Boston and NYC, but by driving right down the ridge of the mountains, not something I would recommend as the safest choice weather-wise in November but very pretty if you happen to like mountains. Myrtle Beach is nice that time of year, Charleston, Savannah all good.
As it happens I am driving from Nova Scotia to New Orleans in February, taking the car not the camper, and plan to take the St. Stephens crossing, I-95 to I495, to I290, to I-90, to I84 ending up at Scranton PA, then onto I81, and then down and to the left till we get to NOLA. That route would work for you to get onto I-81 with the minimum of fuss and bother, but a few extra miles. It usefully bypasses Boston, NYC, and Washington DC.
Hope this long discussion helps!
Brian
The possible third route out is a ferry that might be operating out of Yarmouth NS to Portland Maine. It isn't operational yet, but might be fun. From the ferry you get onto I-95 south, like always...
From there it's basically choices. I-95 south all the way to Florida is something everyone should do once, with appropriate bypasses of Boston, New York City, Washington. It's actually a nice drive, no mountains, but prone to Nor-easters at that time of year. All more western routes will have mountains to some extent. All I-81 does is bypass Washington DC, effectively, you still get Boston and NYC, but by driving right down the ridge of the mountains, not something I would recommend as the safest choice weather-wise in November but very pretty if you happen to like mountains. Myrtle Beach is nice that time of year, Charleston, Savannah all good.
As it happens I am driving from Nova Scotia to New Orleans in February, taking the car not the camper, and plan to take the St. Stephens crossing, I-95 to I495, to I290, to I-90, to I84 ending up at Scranton PA, then onto I81, and then down and to the left till we get to NOLA. That route would work for you to get onto I-81 with the minimum of fuss and bother, but a few extra miles. It usefully bypasses Boston, NYC, and Washington DC.
Hope this long discussion helps!
Brian
