Forum Discussion

rvfiddleddd's avatar
rvfiddleddd
Explorer
Jul 21, 2017

Route from Maine to Gatlinburg? Least traffic?

Hi! We pull a 41' 5th wheel and so far have only traveled out west where the traffic is more sparse. This August we're going to start in the Maritimes and head down the eastern seaboard during fall colors....hoping to end up in the Smoky Mountains around the first of November. My husband is concerned about driving around New York City and the congested areas of the eastern US. Any recommendations on how to avoid some of that traffic? Routes? Back roads? Toll roads vs. regular roads? We'd greatly appreciate any suggestions. Thanks so much!
Roads and Routes
  • rvfiddleddd's avatar
    rvfiddleddd
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2017
    Rangerman40.....I posted the same question on another forum, and this seems to be the consensus. Thanks!
  • rvfiddleddd's avatar
    rvfiddleddd
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2017
    jplante4.....US209? Great! We love to get off on the back roads, as long as we know it's a good enough road. Thanks for the suggestion!
  • rvfiddleddd's avatar
    rvfiddleddd
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2017
    schlep1967.....wow! Thanks for the suggestions! This is the next thing I'm going to start working on.....finding what to see and do along the way. We have the first part of our trip in the Maritimes nicely worked out, but I'm just starting to figure out what to do as we travel down the eastern seaboard. I'll check out all of those places! Thanks!
  • rvfiddleddd's avatar
    rvfiddleddd
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2017
    kerrlakeRoo.......thanks so much for the links. There is a lot of good information there! However, I searched and searched and did not find where on either of the sites it mentioned the clearance for an RV. I'll check into this tho'......good to know before we get on either drive!
  • phillyg's avatar
    phillyg
    Explorer II
    Jul 21, 2017
    I just left Cape Cod. Did 95, which was awful, then 287 and over the Tappan Zee Bridge towards PA and down 81. 81 is a major truck route but still better than 95 IMHO. Previously did 84 going into CT and the roadway was awful; stay away. Thought I was going to break something. Previously lived and commuted around DC and I'll go way out of my way to avoid 95 there.
  • jplante4's avatar
    jplante4
    Explorer II
    Jul 21, 2017
    You can pick up I-84 off the Mass Pike (I-90) and connect with I-81 south. It's rough road and construction areas between Scranton and Harrisburg. We like to cut down US209 through the Delaware Water Gap and connect to I-80 to I-81.

    Avoid I-95 through New York. No reason to go that way because you're headed for I-81 anyway.
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Jul 21, 2017
    About the only way to avoid NY and Philly is going to be to head inland. It really depends on what you are set on seeing in between your start and your end locations. Look at I-84 to I-81 through PA. Not far from the I-84 and I-81 junction is Ricketts Glenn state park Ricketts website. When you get close to the Harrisburg area you could visit Hershey, Lancaster, Gettysburg and work your way south to DC if you want to or continue down I-81. Another suggestion would be Seneca Rocks WV area to include the Cass Railroad and several caverns in the area.
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2017
    With a good sized 5er be careful about clearances on Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge parkway. There are guides available for both listing clearances.
    www.visitskylinedrive.org
    www.blueridgeparkway.org
    In much of Virginia and NC you may be better off taking I-81 with the camper, and after parking use the truck to explore the most scenic spots.

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