Hello,I usually would be doing this in the summer, however things aren't the same.We are planning a trip with a 42ft 5th wheel down the eastern US. We are coming from Arizona. We are starting in late September and traveling down the eastern US as colors change (7-10 days per campground)Where do you recommend we startand sto every 7 days or so?What are a few campgrounds near fall colors or ocean or lakes you recommend?Thank youMC

I would start in eastern Massachusetts and work through New York then through Pennsylvania through Tennessee and South from there.

Stay a couple of days at Meadows of Dan Campground. It is right on the Blue Ridge Parkway (1/4 mile) Stay there and use your truck to see the area. Interesting history of the railroad wreck - Old 97 in the area.The Parkway is NOT a place to tow a trailer or drive a motorhome however. Too curvy and speed limit too low and no place to pass.

I would try Mama Gerties in Asheville NC mid October or so if you can get a spot. Ask for a site on the highest level. From there you are right at the Blue Ridge Parkway and you can travel any direction you would like using Mama Gerties as your home base. Don't try and tow on the Parkway.

Thank you for the suggestions.We have never towed on the Eastern US.We are thinking of finding 3 home bases for 10 days each. Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina.Any suggestions on good home bases for these states?Any concerns with roads and a 42ft 5th wheel? Any better routes than others?I know each year is slightly different but what are good bets for days to catch fall colors in Pennsylvania, Virginia and NC? We are hoping to move south with the color. Thank youMC

I’m thinking you will want to start in the south and work your way north. This would put you in the NE. I recommend mid to late October for best colors.As for towing out east! Be prepared for right roads! Even some of the interstates. I personally hate driving in the east/north east!

Fall color trip - East Coast States | Good Sam Community

mkc
Explorer
Mar 13, 2022
speediq99 wrote:
Thank you for the suggestions.
We have never towed on the Eastern US.

Any concerns with roads and a 42ft 5th wheel? Any better routes than others?

Depending on your furthest-northeast plans, get a Motor Carrier's Atlas and research low clearance/restricted routes/weight limit bridges. When in doubt, "drive" it virtually using Google Maps satellite and street view. If a campground/RV park has directions on their website and tells you not to follow your GPS, there's a reason for it.

You're not permitted (and won't fit, height-wise) on anything labeled "Parkway" in NY and CT, so don't rely solely on Google maps for routing in those states.

If you are using I90 in either NY or MA, it is a toll road. You will pay 4H or 5H rates, depending on the number of axles (I90 in NY will cost close to $90 from PA border to MA border).

Depending on your dates and how far NE you plan to go, most RV parks and campgrounds in Maine close by Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day, many by Oct 1.

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Fall color trip - East Coast States

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