PA to Maine

mattmountz94 wrote:
In a few weeks we will be traveling to Bath, Maine from Reading, PA. We have a 42' fifth wheel. Anyone know which routes to take that might be best. I plan on leaving around 3am to get past the NY traffic in time.

WE ARE IN NEW HOLLAND,PA now, I would go I-78 to I-287 north to I-87 north to I-84 east...stay on 84 to Sturbridge,Mass ,get on I-90 east to i-495 north...stay on 495 til connects with 95 north and right up to Maine.....
now look, while you are up there...go a little farther to Wisscasst and go to RED'S EATS for the best lost roll there is..C

ACZL wrote:

jplante4 wrote:

mattmountz94 wrote:
Map quest is taking me then onto 90 then 290 then 495. Should i skip 290 and just go 90-495?

290 just cuts off a corner. Tougher road than the Pike, but it avoids the hill climb on 495 north of the pike.

We ran 90 to 495 grossing 24k and didn't have any probs w/ hills. Just DA drivers who don't know how to keep a steady pace w/ traffic. Grrrrrrrr

Ya, welcome to Massachusetts.

jplante4 wrote:

mattmountz94 wrote:
Map quest is taking me then onto 90 then 290 then 495. Should i skip 290 and just go 90-495?

290 just cuts off a corner. Tougher road than the Pike, but it avoids the hill climb on 495 north of the pike.

We ran 90 to 495 grossing 24k and didn't have any probs w/ hills. Just DA drivers who don't know how to keep a steady pace w/ traffic. Grrrrrrrr

mattmountz94 wrote:
Map quest is taking me then onto 90 then 290 then 495. Should i skip 290 and just go 90-495?

290 just cuts off a corner. Tougher road than the Pike, but it avoids the hill climb on 495 north of the pike.

I second the i81 ROUTE. Skip NJ, NY craziness (you can get it over the Tappen Zee too, I did last year. When you go to the Tappen Zee, the Garden State Parkway kills you with tools and you are on a much tighter road having to watch the bridges to see where you need to go under, some are very low on the outer sides. Lower tolls, less traffic, way better ride on 81, then connect to 84 into Mass. Just did it in June pulling a 41' 5th wheel. And after going the other routes the last 3 years, wish I had switched sooner.

Thank you for the responses. Good idea with the 84. I will either run the NE Ext to the top and shoot 84 right over or i will pick it up at 80-380-84 like explained above. Looks like that takes me into Mass then. Map quest is taking me then onto 90 then 290 then 495. Should i skip 290 and just go 90-495? And then 495 to 95 and then i am there. Sounds easy enough.

Thanks again

Tho we started in CNY, 495 in MA was quite crowded on both midday Fri and Sat afternoon. Be prepared for stop and go and NO accidents---just shear volume of traffic. 95 in NH was backed up 5-6 miles going north at ME line on Fri and 7 miles in ME on Sat coming back a week later. This July 28 and Aug 5 respectively. FWIW, fuel price at X3 in NH was close to 2.90 and 2.60 in ME at x180 in ME (Bangor/Dysarts) truck stop. Was surprised to see fuel actually cheaper on Mass pike.

When we go to Bangor ME, I take I-81 North to I-84 east into New England.
From Reading, the Northeast Extension of the Pike to Scranton is probably your best choice.
But, check the toll rates before you go. It may be cheaper to go a little farther out of your way.

Shultzy wrote:
Consider taking PA Turnpike from Allentown to the Pocono exit - Rt 80. To 380 to 84. 84 will take you all the way to Massachusetts. From there, take the Mass Pike. Avoids NY

We will be traveling from Cleveland to Bar Harbor the end of next week. We are traveling this route.

Shultzy wrote:
Consider taking PA Turnpike from Allentown to the Pocono exit - Rt 80. To 380 to 84. 84 will take you all the way to Massachusetts. From there, take the Mass Pike. Avoids NY

Good advice above. This I84 route avoids the whole NYC metro traffic. It is a pleasant low stress drive. If you want more action and don't mind dealing with lots more traffic, then take I 80 to I 287 to Tappan Zee bridge then I684 to I84. Avoid I95 in Connecticut as it is crazy busy.

Ed