Forum Discussion

Nunyadamn's avatar
Nunyadamn
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015

Columbus, OH - Liberty Harbor, NJ - No Tolls

I am planning a trip for next summer (2016) from Arizona up to Kansas and then to New York. I am going to try and stay at Liberty Harbor in NJ. I am planning the route and when I select no tolls on Google maps, it takes me out of Columbus up the I71 to the I76 to the I80 to the I280 to the NJ Turnpike 7 to the 139 to the 637.

If I select to use tolls, then it takes me out of Columbus on the I70 to the I76 to the I81 to the I78 to some city streets.

So, my question is, how much are the tolls for my truck pulling a 35ft travel trailer and is it worth just avoiding the tolls and adding the extra 30min? My guess is yes, but I don't want to get on some road that is ridiculous or extremely expensive if I should pay the tolls. Another question - where can I find information about low bridges or any other obstacles along the route?
Roads and Routes
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Jan 14, 2015
    The only way to find out what the tolls will be is to go to the roads website an look it up. Some toll roads make it difficult, and you may even have to call them to get a straight answer. Some now have "Time of Day" based tolls.

    They will also tell you (sometimes not very nicely) get a transponder to save on tolls. Problem: Most transponder systems charge a monthly fee for non-use, so for us it will cost more to have than it would to pay the sky-high toll. But, Street Atlas can always tell us a good way to get around the toll roads.

    We also take a beating on toll roads because of the design of our antique coach.

    Matt
  • mdamerell's avatar
    mdamerell
    Explorer
    Jan 14, 2015
    You can run I-80 across PA into NJ, then I-280 to I-95 and I-78 to Liberty Harbor Marina (which I believe is your destination). There is a toll west bound at the PA/NJ state line (bridge, Delaware Water Gap). Might be another bridge toll near your destination. Anytime you get in that part of the NE it's almost impossible to miss all tolls. I just keep $20 in 1's and 5's for tolls.

    Delaware Water Gap Bridge Toll Rates
  • Lumpty's avatar
    Lumpty
    Explorer
    Jan 15, 2015
    mdamerell wrote:
    You can run I-80 across PA into NJ, then I-280 to I-95 and I-78 to Liberty Harbor Marina (which I believe is your destination). There is a toll west bound at the PA/NJ state line (bridge, Delaware Water Gap). Might be another bridge toll near your destination. Anytime you get in that part of the NE it's almost impossible to miss all tolls. I just keep $20 in 1's and 5's for tolls.

    Delaware Water Gap Bridge Toll Rates


    This is the almost free way.

    I'd make a few suggested modifications to this route,as I'm local from northern NJ. From I-80, take I-287 south about 3 miles to NJ 24 east (it is a divided highway built to interstate standards). 24 runs into I-78, which at the NJ Turnpike becomes the Newark Bay Extension of that Toll Road. That leg of 78 is the ONLY way I'd drive or tow an RV to Liberty Harbor. Don't even think about that Google Maps route. The toll for this leg of the Turnpike is $8.25 each way for a truck towing a 2 axle trailer.

    Also, there is no toll on the I-80 Delaware River Bridge when heading eastbound.
  • slay's avatar
    slay
    Explorer II
    Jan 15, 2015
    Lumpty wrote:
    mdamerell wrote:
    You can run I-80 across PA into NJ, then I-280 to I-95 and I-78 to Liberty Harbor Marina (which I believe is your destination). There is a toll west bound at the PA/NJ state line (bridge, Delaware Water Gap). Might be another bridge toll near your destination. Anytime you get in that part of the NE it's almost impossible to miss all tolls. I just keep $20 in 1's and 5's for tolls.

    Delaware Water Gap Bridge Toll Rates


    This is the almost free way.

    I'd make a few suggested modifications to this route,as I'm local from northern NJ. From I-80, take I-287 south about 3 miles to NJ 24 east (it is a divided highway built to interstate standards). 24 runs into I-78, which at the NJ Turnpike becomes the Newark Bay Extension of that Toll Road. That leg of 78 is the ONLY way I'd drive or tow an RV to Liberty Harbor. Don't even think about that Google Maps route. The toll for this leg of the Turnpike is $8.25 each way for a truck towing a 2 axle trailer.

    Also, there is no toll on the I-80 Delaware River Bridge when heading eastbound.


    As a fellow Jerseyan, I secomd this suggestion. Pay the toll on the Newark Bay Extension of the New Jersey Turnpike and avoid the local roads as much as possible.

    As for whether to take the lower route using the Pennsy Turmpike to I-81 or going north out of Columbus to I-80 across Pennsy, I would consider mileage, how much you would pay in gasoline for each route, and factor in the toll from New Stanton, Pa. to Carlisle, Pa.

    Also, best time to arrive in New Jersey is a Sunday morning. If you are arriving on a weekend, consider staying Saturday night in eastern Pa. and driving into Jersey City on Sunday.

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