Norfolk VA to Bar Harbor ME

[tomthyme]

Hello Folks,
We are planning an escape from the Texas heat this summer and need some route help. A leg of our trip will take us from Norfolk, VA to Bar Horbor, ME (approximately).

We have no desire to stop in big cities along the way and we would love to hug the coastline, but I am concerned that driving with our 40' 5th wheel would be troublesome at best.

We like the idea of going through Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, etc. but again, we are concerned about our size passing through some narrow lanes in the Northeast.

What do you guys think? If you have done something similar, what would you recommend?

Am I unnecessarily concerned?

Thanks so much!

Tom

[DrewE]

LuvRvn wrote:
you MUST have an EZPass for I-90/Mass Pike as it is now a cashless toll road.

That's not true; while it is a cashless road, if you don't have EZPass they'll invoice based on license plate readers and mail a bill (with a nominal surcharge and probably a higher toll rate). Many of the NYC area bridges work the same way now, too, and probably some other roads and more to come. It's not illegal to drive without EZPass, just inconvenient and sometimes more expensive.

It can be worthwhile to compare the fees and terms and conditions of EZPass from various states and agencies. Some charge monthly fees or up-front transponder fees, and many offer discounts within their service area. If one will be traveling on the NY Thruway much with a motorhome, their motorhome thruway discount plan is particularly attractive as it results in approximately a 50% lower toll (car rate vs. tall vehicle rate) and, if signed up with a credit card to replenish and email or bimonthly paper billing, has no periodic fees.

[LuvRvn]

We used to live in CT and travel to NE from NC often...our daughter used to live in Waterville ME.

We, too, have a 40’ 5th wheel. I suggest you get to I-81...no tolls which are expensive for anything above 7’6”! We pick up I- 78 in Harrisburg..some tolls on 78 but we want to avoid Scranton (terrible roads!). Then I-287 to I-87 to I-84 in Newburgh, NY. Some of these are toll roads but a smoother route. I-84 in CT can be slow going through Danbury and Waterbury...but once you get across the CT River it will go pretty quick on up to I-90 (Mass Pike). You can then either take I-290 through Worcester MA to I-495 to I-95 (at MA/NH border) or stay on I-90 to I-495 to I-95...you MUST have an EZPass for I-90/Mass Pike as it is now a cashless toll road.
We take I-295 through Portland ME. I would follow what previous posters say about getting from I-95 to Bar Harbor....

[Thom02099]

CloudDriver wrote:
A possible route for your consideration:

From Norfolk take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and continue on route 13 north to join I295 across the Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ. This avoids the cities of Washington and Baltimore. After crossing the bridge take the NJ Turnpike to I287. Take I287 north to I87 (NY Thruway) and continue to I84 east to join I90 (Mass. Turnpike) to I495 around Boston to join I95 just before the New Hampshire border. I95 is the Maine Turnpike once you reach Maine. Continue to Bangor and take route 1A to Ellsworth and then route 3 to Bar Harbor. No worries about low bridges.

When you cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge, you can save on some tolls by STAYING on I-295, which runs parallel to the NJTP. Take I-295 to I-195 outside of Trenton NJ, then I-195 east to the NJTP.

Used to live outside Trenton, I used this route many times in trips to points south.

[jplante4]

Mike Taverniti wrote:
Don't want to sound negative, but bring plenty of cash for tolls. It's lawful robbery on the East Coast. Enjoy your trip.

Or get an EZPass. Good for all the tolls you hit between Norfolk and Bar Harbor.

[tomthyme]

Mike Taverniti wrote:
Don't want to sound negative, but bring plenty of cash for tolls. It's lawful robbery on the East Coast. Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for the note. I don't think that is negative at all. I actually hadn't even thought about tolls. Thanks again.

[Mike_Taverniti]

Don't want to sound negative, but bring plenty of cash for tolls. It's lawful robbery on the East Coast. Enjoy your trip.

[ACZL]

CloudDriver wrote:
A possible route for your consideration:

From Norfolk take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and continue on route 13 north to join I295 across the Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ. This avoids the cities of Washington and Baltimore. After crossing the bridge take the NJ Turnpike to I287. Take I287 north to I87 (NY Thruway) and continue to I84 east to join I90 (Mass. Turnpike) to I495 around Boston to join I95 just before the New Hampshire border. I95 is the Maine Turnpike once you reach Maine. Continue to Bangor and take route 1A to Ellsworth and then route 3 to Bar Harbor. No worries about low bridges.

X3

[tomthyme]

HadEnough wrote:


This is a perfect route for the original poster. As to bridges, I mean in the towns he explores.

Thank you for the confirmation!

[tomthyme]

CloudDriver wrote:
A possible route for your consideration:

From Norfolk take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and continue on route 13 north to join I295 across the Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ. This avoids the cities of Washington and Baltimore. After crossing the bridge take the NJ Turnpike to I287. Take I287 north to I87 (NY Thruway) and continue to I84 east to join I90 (Mass. Turnpike) to I495 around Boston to join I95 just before the New Hampshire border. I95 is the Maine Turnpike once you reach Maine. Continue to Bangor and take route 1A to Ellsworth and then route 3 to Bar Harbor. No worries about low bridges.

Thank you so much for your help. We sincerely appreciate it!

[HadEnough]

CloudDriver wrote:
A possible route for your consideration:

From Norfolk take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and continue on route 13 north to join I295 across the Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ. This avoids the cities of Washington and Baltimore. After crossing the bridge take the NJ Turnpike to I287. Take I287 north to I87 (NY Thruway) and continue to I84 east to join I90 (Mass. Turnpike) to I495 around Boston to join I95 just before the New Hampshire border. I95 is the Maine Turnpike once you reach Maine. Continue to Bangor and take route 1A to Ellsworth and then route 3 to Bar Harbor. No worries about low bridges.

This is a perfect route for the original poster. As to bridges, I mean in the towns he explores.

[lmpres]

I've gone the NJ turnpike and hated it with my 40'5th wheel. Bridges I had to make sure I was in the middle lanes due to height, a lot of traffic, and thin travel lanes. I found that heading around Washington over to 81 a way better way to go. Less tolls, less confined traffic, much less hassle! Then head east on 84 to 90 to 495 to 95.

[CloudDriver]

A possible route for your consideration:

From Norfolk take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and continue on route 13 north to join I295 across the Delaware Memorial Bridge to NJ. This avoids the cities of Washington and Baltimore. After crossing the bridge take the NJ Turnpike to I287. Take I287 north to I87 (NY Thruway) and continue to I84 east to join I90 (Mass. Turnpike) to I495 around Boston to join I95 just before the New Hampshire border. I95 is the Maine Turnpike once you reach Maine. Continue to Bangor and take route 1A to Ellsworth and then route 3 to Bar Harbor. No worries about low bridges.

[HadEnough]

Unnecessarily concerned. Definitely.

You can't hug the coastline and avoid major cities through. All the major cities are on the coast. If you are looking to avoid lots of urban areas and traffic, try to stay inland until there is a special spot on the coast you wish to visit.

The roads in the small towns like Bar Harbor are narrow and twisty compared to your roads in TX.

However, no problem towing. Just watch those bridge height signs.