Virginia to Maine

infogeek wrote:

bamcote wrote:

Jack Spratt wrote:
Go west to pick up 81N
East on 84
East on Mass Pike 90
North on 290
North 495
North on 95
One hour longer but bypasses the metro stress
And is more scenic

We do this route every spring to head to Maine/NH. I would suggest trying to stay in middle lane going through Connecticut, due to constant merging (non-yielding regardless of signs) traffic, but it's hard because the lanes keep shifting. Other than CT, this route isn't too bad.

This is what I'd do, too. I avoid 95 in NYC/NJ like the plague. Talk about traffic nightmares. And tolls. No thanks. I'd rather take the long way around. Less stress.

Can't agree more. This is a much more relaxing drive. Do it every couple of years from Maryland to New England and back.

bamcote wrote:

Jack Spratt wrote:
Go west to pick up 81N
East on 84
East on Mass Pike 90
North on 290
North 495
North on 95
One hour longer but bypasses the metro stress
And is more scenic

We do this route every spring to head to Maine/NH. I would suggest trying to stay in middle lane going through Connecticut, due to constant merging (non-yielding regardless of signs) traffic, but it's hard because the lanes keep shifting. Other than CT, this route isn't too bad.

This is what I'd do, too. I avoid 95 in NYC/NJ like the plague. Talk about traffic nightmares. And tolls. No thanks. I'd rather take the long way around. Less stress.

Jack Spratt wrote:
Go west to pick up 81N
East on 84
North on 290
North 495
North on 95
One hour longer but bypasses the metro stress
And is more scenic

Forgot to add the Mass Pike (I90)
X2 on this.
As a truck driver this is the way I go. I try to avoid the I 95 core door like the plague. No reason to go through DC, Baltimore, and NYC.

Jack Spratt wrote:
Go west to pick up 81N
East on 84
North on 290
North 495
North on 95
One hour longer but bypasses the metro stress
And is more scenic

We do this route every spring to head to Maine/NH. I would suggest trying to stay in middle lane going through Connecticut, due to constant merging (non-yielding regardless of signs) traffic, but it's hard because the lanes keep shifting. Other than CT, this route isn't too bad.

I went that way last summer. Do you have your EZ Pass? Going up 95 wasn't bad just jog over and use the Tappan Zee and not the Gorge Washington. GW cost me $76.00. I have driven 95 around Boston and 495 I didn't see any difference in traffic. Yes it is best not to do it during rush hour.
It depends on what you want to do and see around Portland and north. 295 and 95 split but come back together. If you are going to Acadia I would use 295 to 1 and follow 1 to 3 to the park. Where are you staying? I drove 1 all the way to East Port.
Bill

Go west to pick up 81N
East on 84
North on 290
North 495
North on 95
One hour longer but bypasses the metro stress
And is more scenic

Most semi-trucks are 13' 6". Stay on the interstates and turnpikes.

Which ever way you go to the boston area (95 or 81) there are no low bridges on roads you can legally take a 5th wheel. Use 495 to avoid Boston. Then it's 95 all the way to middle Maine. Then 11 will bring you to northern Maine.

I believe the low bridges you are worrying about are over NY state parkways. No trucks or RVs, except maybe conversion vans, allowed.

As for low bridges anywhere else, they are very rare being too low for the average trailer or class A.

I would try to avoid I-95 from Fredericksburg, VA, to North of Baltimore if possible.
bumpy