MD/DE area to Burlington, VT

[aharris0614]

Travelling in a 43' class A with a tow.

GPS show the best route as 95N - 87N then NY149E to 4 then 22A in VT to 7N. Skeptical about what comes after 87N as they all seem to be county/country roads. Also wondering about 95N-87N as it looks like you travel a portion on the Garden State (and shouldn't?).

Alternate route would be 95N over the GW Bridge or maybe 287 over the Tappan Zee Bridge. But then what? Everything is a Parkway on the NY side. Should we take 287 back over to 95 then up through CT and MA on 91N - 89N?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

[aharris0614]

Thank you everyone! The scenic route it is... 🙂

[ACZL]

As your heading north on 87 from NYC area, you'll need to get off at Exit 24 in Albany to continue of 87 north which is known as the "Northway". If you need fuel before VT, there is a truck stop on the Northway at Exit 16. Only place I'll get fuel when in the area.

Like DrewE said, once you get off the Northway Exit 20 (Rte 9 to 149), it's not a very long stretch, but can be very congested. Try to hit it between 9am and 3pm Mon-Thur. Fri-Sun is a nightmare------will just take a LONG time to get thru same area. Depending on when you'll be on 149, and if you want to "crash" for the night, there are 3 campgrounds along 149. Lake George RV Resort is closest to rt 9 (right side just past crossover walk and going up a short hill). Ledgeview just downa bit past LGRVResort on left. Moose Hillock is down further on right (our favorite--HUGE sites).

As already mentioned, semis use these roads all the time w/o a problem. 22a in VT is very scenic. Enjoy!!

[Airdaile]

There's no reason to go over the TZ bridge to get to Vermont. The route from there (I-684 to I-84 through Danbury, Waterbury and Hartford to I-91 through Springfield to I-89) goes through some of the most miserably congested roads on the east coast.

The Northway to Glens Falls and across southern VT is a beautiful ride. Goods are delivered every day in 18 wheelers across the roads you are concerned about. I've driven part of that route (Route 4 from Fairhaven to Whitehall) and some of it is 4 lane divided.If you really don't want to drive on 22A, the option would be to continue up I-87 and take the Cumberland Head Ferry out of Plattsburgh.

[suprz]

The only thing I can add is if you are going north on the tappanzee bridge, there is a hefty toll!

[ford_truck_guy]

I went to Burlington a few years back from SE PA and took the first route with my 42' fifth wheel .. Plenty of road for big rigs, in fact there were big trucks on there as well... Plenty of fuel chances, and pretty ride... GO FOR IT

[DrewE]

The first route is fine; you need have no apprehension about NY149, US4, VT22A, or US7. Those are state and US highways, and suitable for large vehicles (and indeed used by regional truckers, etc. along with the rest of us). 149 through the outlet shops in Lake George can be a bit congested and slow going, but it's not a long stretch of road at all. There are some rolling hills but no extremely steep or long grades, nor nasty switchbacks. Do take care in Albany to continue on I-87 north rather than I-90; it's a bit of a messy intersection there, but decently well enough marked.

The Garden State Parkway is fine (and legal) for RVs, unlike pretty much every other parkway in the area. There are some lowish clearances in the far right lane. I-287 is an alternative that is perfectly workable, though it's a little longer and in rougher condition, as I understand things.

Avoid I-95 over the GWB at all costs; I-95 through the heart of New York City is no fun at all and can be pretty slow going at the wrong time of day. I-287 to the Tappan Zee, and then either I-687 to I-84 to I-91 or I-95 to I-91, and thence I-91 to I-89, is a bit better but still can be busy and slow and I think is longer than the first route with no particular advantages.

For planning purposes, it's just about three hours from Albany to Burlington, maybe a little more in a motorhome. It's usually around four or four and a half hours from New Haven, CT to Burlington.