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GnP_Retirement_'s avatar
GnP_Retirement_
Explorer
Jan 12, 2016

Suggestions for Route to Florida from Maine

Hi All !
I've been trying to find a direct route to Florida from Maine. One major sticking point is the route through CT and NY. According to the routing folks, I can't drive an RV on the GW Bridge in NY and I haven't found good advice about alternative routes that have no RV restrictions (I was routed onto some "parkways" that had 8' height restrictions). There is also an advisory about propane restrictions in the tunnel near Baltimore.
Does anyone have a "tried and true" route I could follow ? Thanks !!!
Roads and Routes

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  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2016
    You can use the GW bridge but it and the NJ turnpike will kill you on tolls.
    The Newburgh bridge and then 87 is a better road then the north part of 81 but get over to 81 and then go south is the way to go
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Jan 12, 2016
    petersr58 wrote:
    From Maine I95 to I495 (MA) to I84 to I81 (PA) to I77 to I26 to I95 in SC. I do this every time and eliminate all the traffic and confusion, very nice easy drive. Also no tunnels and only a small toll on the Mass Pike, even the bridge in Newburg is free going south.


    This route would also be my top suggestion. Depending where you're going in Florida, it can also be reasonable to alter the southern portion to go from I-81 to I-40 to I-75. For most areas that's a little bit longer alternative.

    Attempting to go down I-95 is theoretically shorter, but all the major cities (Boston, NYC, and Baltimore / DC in particular) conspire to make it a far less pleasant drive and typically no quicker than I-81.
  • petersr58's avatar
    petersr58
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2016
    From Maine I95 to I495 (MA) to I84 to I81 (PA) to I77 to I26 to I95 in SC. I do this every time and eliminate all the traffic and confusion, very nice easy drive. Also no tunnels and only a small toll on the Mass Pike, even the bridge in Newburg is free going south.
  • dahkota's avatar
    dahkota
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2016
    Use the Tappen Zee Bridge or the Newburg Beacon Bridge for New York.
    Use the Francis Scott Key Bridge (695) in Baltimore instead of the tunnels.
  • photomonjax's avatar
    photomonjax
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2016
    I made that trip last year and in 2011.
    I 95 to I 287 (Fords NJ)
    You can take I 287 to I 87 0r TO I 95
    You do not want to go through New York City under any circumstances.
    .
    There is also a back road way that I
    learned from one of the state info centers but do not remember the road numbers.

    Hope this helps
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2016
    MANY others have had this problem.
    IIRC there are a couple of good solutions.
    Those who know will, no doubt, give you the necessary information....but it might take a couple of days.

    In the mean time, have a look here:
    http://forums.goodsamclub.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28706405/gotomsg/28708864.cfm#28708864

    I found this by doing a search for "tunnel". ;)

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