Best route from Chicago area to Assateague Island Maryland

[tbred]

Hoping someone has made this trip, leaving in a few weeks and mapquest is sending us through Baltimore,DC area. Is that route manageable towing a 30 foot tt? Any better route?

Would also like to stop for the night after 8-9 hours on the road, I think that would put us in the Pittsburg area. Any good overnites with easy on off the hwy?

Thanks much for any help!!!

[Merrykalia]

Romer1 wrote:


Just curious, why would you be crossing the Bay Bridge? Are you going to Virginia first?

The Bay Bridge and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel are two different bridges, but both cross onto the Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) Peninsula. The Bay Bridge is in MD and the CBBT is in Virginia. That was the confusion.

[tbred]

Excellent information!!! We we be near the rt. 50 bridge at approx. noon on Friday,hopefully we wont be hung up too long!!

Thanks for the detailed info Terry, we will certainly take your advice,especially staying out of the ipass lanes!

[Terry_25]

We live near the intersection of Interstates 70 and 81 and make the trip to the Assateague area frequently. From my experience, the East Coast is a piece of cake compared to Chicago. You won't have any problems. Mapquest is good. So is the MD 32 alternative. MD32 to I97 will bypass the congested MD2 section and is a little less traveled. After a short stretch of 2 lane (which usually travels at interstate speeds) it opens up to 4 lane interstate type highway all the way to I97. Be careful at the toll booths at the Bay bridge. Stay out of the dedicated EZPass lanes on the left even if you have IPass. The 3 left lanes will put you on the newer bridge with 2 way traffic. The other bridge is 2 lane one way. Not a big deal but I prefer the one way traffic when towing. Traffic backs up at the toll booths on Friday nights in the Summer but crossing between 9A and 2P is usually no problem. Hope you enjoy Assateague.

[jeomelia]

Try and go thru the area S of Baltimore to the rt50 brige over the bay betweeen 9AM anf 3PM or after 6PM. Mon thu Thurs, Fri thru Sun it can be grid lock either way on the bridge!


http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/Toll_Facilities/WPL.html

Driving in the Washington to Boston corridor is a challenge yes West of Chicago is a piece of cake

[tbred]

Romer1 wrote:

tbred wrote:
Thanks for the tips! After speaking w/dh, looks like we will be getting off the road somewhere near Pittsburgh and looking for a quick shut eye at a Wal-mart or something.

Any problems crossing the Bay Bridge with a trailer?

In the 2 previous seasons that we've owned our trailer we have traveled west,wide open spaces. Going east seems to require a bit more careful planning.

Just curious, why would you be crossing the Bay Bridge? Are you going to Virginia first?

Maybe I'm not sure of the proper name, whatever crosses the Chesapeake.

[Romer1]

tbred wrote:
Thanks for the tips! After speaking w/dh, looks like we will be getting off the road somewhere near Pittsburgh and looking for a quick shut eye at a Wal-mart or something.

Any problems crossing the Bay Bridge with a trailer?

In the 2 previous seasons that we've owned our trailer we have traveled west,wide open spaces. Going east seems to require a bit more careful planning.

Just curious, why would you be crossing the Bay Bridge? Are you going to Virginia first?

[tbred]

Thanks for the tips! After speaking w/dh, looks like we will be getting off the road somewhere near Pittsburgh and looking for a quick shut eye at a Wal-mart or something.

Any problems crossing the Bay Bridge with a trailer?

In the 2 previous seasons that we've owned our trailer we have traveled west,wide open spaces. Going east seems to require a bit more careful planning.

[jeomelia]

On the routing thru Baltimore use MD 32 to miss Baltimore I have traveled that way pulling a 32' trailer. If you are looking at I80 in PA exit 120 rt on 879 to US322 East. On 879 left at the 2nd traffic light there is a Wal-Mart good for a stop'

[Dick_B]

We stay at the KOA in Pittsburgh.