Forum Discussion

sperduton's avatar
sperduton
Explorer
May 07, 2014

NJ to Bar Harbor Trip

will be taking a trip in August from NJ to Bar Harbor and looking for reccomended routes...
I'm on the central western part of the state. West of 287 and between 78 and 80.
Years ago when I went I remember hating the 684-84 route through Connecticut. So I was thinking of skipping that and going 78-287-87 north- to 90 east, then 495 to 95 to Bangor and across 1.
Most likely I will be travelling up on a Friday leaving early AM from NJ. Not sure yet if I'm going all the way to Bar Harbor on Friday or staying over somewhere close to there on Friday night.

I'm driving a long bed pickup with a 34 foot camper.

Thanks,
Nick
Roads and Routes
  • dieselbobcat's avatar
    dieselbobcat
    Explorer
    May 08, 2014
    Interested in your plans... we are contemplating the same route and trip for August 2015. We are in the northern part of NJ (Paramus Area) and would likely cross the Tappan Zee and take 684/84... What did you dislike about that route?
  • CloudDriver's avatar
    CloudDriver
    Explorer
    May 08, 2014
    We use the I684 - I84 route so can't comment on your other route. We do get off the Mass Pike on I290 to I495 to reduce the toll cost. We also get off I95 around Portland and take route 1 up the coast the rest of the way. We have used Camden Hills State Park just north of Camden as an overnight on the way up.
  • camperfamily's avatar
    camperfamily
    Explorer
    May 08, 2014
    We typically take 287 to 87 (Thruway NORTH) to Newburgh where we pick up 84 headed to the Mass Pike. to 95, then up Rt 1 in Maine.

    84 can be busy depending when you go through CT but it cuts off time and miles over taking 87 all the way to 90. If you have enough fuel to get from NJ to Mass 84 really isn't that bad, especially at a "off hour". Worst we've had is some traffic delays due to congestion/construction.

    Sounds like you already know to avoid 95 south of the north side of Boston...

    Happy Trails!
  • GeoBoy's avatar
    GeoBoy
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    Don't take Rt. 1 up to Bar Harbor unless time is not a factor. We usually stop in Freeport, for the night, visit L.L. Bean after dinner. Take 95, in Maine to Bangor and then Rt. 3 east to Bar Harbor.
  • sperduton's avatar
    sperduton
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    CloudDriver wrote:
    We use the I684 - I84 route so can't comment on your other route. We do get off the Mass Pike on I290 to I495 to reduce the toll cost. We also get off I95 around Portland and take route 1 up the coast the rest of the way. We have used Camden Hills State Park just north of Camden as an overnight on the way up.
  • sperduton's avatar
    sperduton
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    GeoBoy wrote:
    Don't take Rt. 1 up to Bar Harbor unless time is not a factor. We usually stop in Freeport, for the night, visit L.L. Bean after dinner. Take 95, in Maine to Bangor and then Rt. 3 east to Bar Harbor.


    RT 3 from Bangor? The only highway I see coming in from Bangor is 1/1a.
  • sperduton's avatar
    sperduton
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    dieselbobcat wrote:
    Interested in your plans... we are contemplating the same route and trip for August 2015. We are in the northern part of NJ (Paramus Area) and would likely cross the Tappan Zee and take 684/84... What did you dislike about that route?


    I just remember the last time it was hard to keep any momentum with all the cars getting on and off the highway, you can't drive the left lane with a trailer and It was just a lot of congestion in general especailly around all the cities it went through. It goes through Danbury, Waterbury and Hartford. Maybe it's changed. But I specifically remember me telling my wife...Remind me not to come this way again.
  • sperduton's avatar
    sperduton
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    sperduton wrote:
    CloudDriver wrote:
    We use the I684 - I84 route so can't comment on your other route. We do get off the Mass Pike on I290 to I495 to reduce the toll cost. We also get off I95 around Portland and take route 1 up the coast the rest of the way. We have used Camden Hills State Park just north of Camden as an overnight on the way up.


    Camden Hills for an overnight is possible if I wind up leaving on Thursday and not Friday. According to the website, it's a 2 night minimum if you stay over on a Friday.
  • Crowe's avatar
    Crowe
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    will be taking a trip in August from NJ to Bar Harbor and looking for reccomended routes...
    I'm on the central western part of the state. West of 287 and between 78 and 80.
    Years ago when I went I remember hating the 684-84 route through Connecticut. So I was thinking of skipping that and going 78-287-87 north- to 90 east, then 495 to 95 to Bangor and across 1.

    Take your original route. We do it in the reverse if we go south. The Bangor interchange has been redone. You will get on 395 for a short while which alleviates weaving through the city, then it's 1A down to Ellsworth and you hook up Rt. 3 from there.

    I just remember the last time it was hard to keep any momentum with all the cars getting on and off the highway, you can't drive the left lane with a trailer and It was just a lot of congestion in general especailly around all the cities it went through. It goes through Danbury, Waterbury and Hartford. Maybe it's changed. But I specifically remember me telling my wife...Remind me not to come this way again.

    Still true but you can circumvent Hartford by taking 691/91. That's the trucker's preferred route.
  • LEE3714's avatar
    LEE3714
    Explorer
    May 11, 2014
    Last July, I led 6 rigs (36 ft) up from Delaware, 95 past Philly, crossed the Tappenzee, with no problems.

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