Hello Folks,We are planning an escape from the Texas heat this summer and need some route help. A leg of our trip will take us from Norfolk, VA to Bar Horbor, ME (approximately).We have no desire to stop in big cities along the way and we would love to hug the coastline, but I am concerned that driving with our 40' 5th wheel would be troublesome at best. We like the idea of going through Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, etc. but again, we are concerned about our size passing through some narrow lanes in the Northeast.What do you guys think? If you have done something similar, what would you recommend?Am I unnecessarily concerned?Thanks so much!Tom

Unnecessarily concerned. Definitely. You can't hug the coastline and avoid major cities through. All the major cities are on the coast. If you are looking to avoid lots of urban areas and traffic, try to stay inland until there is a special spot on the coast you wish to visit. The roads in the small towns like Bar Harbor are narrow and twisty compared to your roads in TX. However, no problem towing. Just watch those bridge height signs.

A possible route for your consideration:From Norfolk take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and continue on route 13 north to join I295 across the Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ. This avoids the cities of Washington and Baltimore. After crossing the bridge take the NJ Turnpike to I287. Take I287 north to I87 (NY Thruway) and continue to I84 east to join I90 (Mass. Turnpike) to I495 around Boston to join I95 just before the New Hampshire border. I95 is the Maine Turnpike once you reach Maine. Continue to Bangor and take route 1A to Ellsworth and then route 3 to Bar Harbor. No worries about low bridges.

I've gone the NJ turnpike and hated it with my 40'5th wheel. Bridges I had to make sure I was in the middle lanes due to height, a lot of traffic, and thin travel lanes. I found that heading around Washington over to 81 a way better way to go. Less tolls, less confined traffic, much less hassle! Then head east on 84 to 90 to 495 to 95.

CloudDriver wrote:A possible route for your consideration:From Norfolk take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and continue on route 13 north to join I295 across the Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ. This avoids the cities of Washington and Baltimore. After crossing the bridge take the NJ Turnpike to I287. Take I287 north to I87 (NY Thruway) and continue to I84 east to join I90 (Mass. Turnpike) to I495 around Boston to join I95 just before the New Hampshire border. I95 is the Maine Turnpike once you reach Maine. Continue to Bangor and take route 1A to Ellsworth and then route 3 to Bar Harbor. No worries about low bridges.This is a perfect route for the original poster. As to bridges, I mean in the towns he explores.

CloudDriver wrote:A possible route for your consideration:From Norfolk take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and continue on route 13 north to join I295 across the Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ. This avoids the cities of Washington and Baltimore. After crossing the bridge take the NJ Turnpike to I287. Take I287 north to I87 (NY Thruway) and continue to I84 east to join I90 (Mass. Turnpike) to I495 around Boston to join I95 just before the New Hampshire border. I95 is the Maine Turnpike once you reach Maine. Continue to Bangor and take route 1A to Ellsworth and then route 3 to Bar Harbor. No worries about low bridges.Thank you so much for your help. We sincerely appreciate it!

Norfolk VA to Bar Harbor ME | Good Sam Community

lmpres
Explorer
Jun 03, 2018
I've gone the NJ turnpike and hated it with my 40'5th wheel. Bridges I had to make sure I was in the middle lanes due to height, a lot of traffic, and thin travel lanes. I found that heading around Washington over to 81 a way better way to go. Less tolls, less confined traffic, much less hassle! Then head east on 84 to 90 to 495 to 95.
CloudDriver
Explorer
Jun 03, 2018
A possible route for your consideration:

From Norfolk take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and continue on route 13 north to join I295 across the Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ. This avoids the cities of Washington and Baltimore. After crossing the bridge take the NJ Turnpike to I287. Take I287 north to I87 (NY Thruway) and continue to I84 east to join I90 (Mass. Turnpike) to I495 around Boston to join I95 just before the New Hampshire border. I95 is the Maine Turnpike once you reach Maine. Continue to Bangor and take route 1A to Ellsworth and then route 3 to Bar Harbor. No worries about low bridges.
HadEnough
Explorer
Jun 03, 2018
Unnecessarily concerned. Definitely.

You can't hug the coastline and avoid major cities through. All the major cities are on the coast. If you are looking to avoid lots of urban areas and traffic, try to stay inland until there is a special spot on the coast you wish to visit.

The roads in the small towns like Bar Harbor are narrow and twisty compared to your roads in TX.

However, no problem towing. Just watch those bridge height signs.

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