Avoiding garden state parkway south

287 is an odd road in that it goes in a long (almost) circle. It adds quite a few miles. I take the Tappen Zee to the GSP and then pick up the NJT around Woodbrige.

The GSP is OK but you have to pick your times. I avoid it like the plague from 6-10 AM and 4-9 PM during the weekdays. Weekends is a coin toss.

If you can work around these times then the GSP is your best options. 287 gets really bust from Morristown to the NJT during the same times as the GSP.

Gerry

287 is a long loop around, but I would say it's much shorter and less aggravating than going all the way out to 476 and then back East on the PA Turnpike.

Maybe only take the Parkway South to I-80 and then take 80 East to the Turnpike?

To me, the Parkway always (except Summer weekends) seems to be a better ride than the Turnpike. YMMV :)

Have you ever thought of taking I-81 down, say I-84 to I-81 to I-77? That would likely be my first choice from MA to FL.

Wandering view wrote:
Heading for Florida in my Class A with a toad. I dislike traveling the Garden State Parkway. Is it better to take 287 south to the NJ Tpk. Or pick up 78 to 476? I will be traveling from Mass. To Florida beginning of Jan. I usually take the NJ Tpk to Deleware Memorial Bridge and then301 south to Annapolis etc. Avoiding the Garden State Pkway will be a new adventure. Any advice or road conditions information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks McD

Stick with the plan..287 S- NJ pike-. The Delaware Memorial Bridge to 95-301 is the way to go... Avoiding NY , Philly,, Baltimore, DC....

Yeah, we just did that TZ Bridge-GSP-Tpke-I295-301 route at the beginning of November. We did the Ct-southern Jersey part on Sunday and it wasn't too bad. The only reason we did this instead of the I84-I81 route was because we were stopping north of the freezing line and needed campgrounds that were open after Nov 1st, which the OP will need to deal with as well.

We stayed at Aces High in East Lyme, CT and Timberlane in Clarksboro NJ. Both open year round.

301 was the old route to Florida in the days before I95. In some sections it's fine, and in others it miles of thump-thump concrete.

We live on the NH seacoast during the summer and SWFL in the winter. We have a MH and a toad. We have tried it all. 301, the GSPW, 95 etc. After trying them all we take 84 to 81 then sometimes 17 to 95 but usually 81 to 77 to 26 to 95. We we drive back and forth in the middle of the winter for holidays, we leave the MH in FL and then we'll often do 95 to the JP and GW bridge, but the traffic and delays are awful.

If you haven't tried 84 to 81 to 77 to 26 to 95, you should try it once. It may be an hour longer, but it'so much easier.

If you haven't tried 84 to 81 to 77 to 26 to 95, you should try it once. It may be an hour longer, but it'so much easier.


X3!!!

and the Delaware mem bridge toll is 20 bucks...10 + 4 if you detach....20 together.....thieves...

I use 287 to 206 through Princeton to 95 through Philly then on to 301. The inconvenience of the congestion in spots is more than offset by avoiding the Garden State and Baltimore/DC.

84-81-77-26-95 is the only way. The GPS says it is an hour longer but in real life, traffic, stoppages for no reason, and other aggravations it is much the better and less time route.

I have gone both ways in a big truck many times and I know the difference.