Southeast Massachusetts to Nashville TN

[hedgehog48]

Looking at possibly planning a trip next summer from south eastern Massachusetts to Nashville. Maps look like 95 south to New York, then 287 over tap pan zee bridge . Then 78 into Pennsylvania, 81 to Knoxville tn and then i40 to Nashville. Is this a good route? How is traveling on 81 south versus i95? How bad are the hills? I’m towing a montana fifthwheel with a 6.2 f350 gasser with 4.30 gears. Any input is appreciated.

[jplante4]

Our route through there is I-195 to Providence, then I-95 to Old Lyme CT, CT 9 to Middletown then 66/I-691 to I-84. They just finished rebuilding I-84 through Waterbury and Danbury, so if you've been avoiding it, it's better now.

From there you have a couple of choices. You can stay on I-84 all the way to Scranton to pick up I-81 or take US209 down the Delaware Water Gap and pick up I-80 to I-81.

The roads around the NYC metro area are pretty dismal. The new Tappan Zee bridge is great, but the roads to it are still 3 lane and very crowded.

[lmpres]

Done the north south trip 3 times now. Went 95 (over the George Washington) whole way once, NEVER DO THAT AGAI!. Went over the Tappen Zee the second time. Went all the way out to 81 and skipped the Tappen Zee the third. Skipping the Tappen Zee with the 5th wheel was WAY better!

[ken56]

I think your route is the way to go. 81 at least from Roanoke into K'ville is good with no bad hills. The only grade from K'ville to Nashville is just west of K'ville giong up onto the Cumberland Plateau which is not bad.

[K_Charles]

I came down 95 a couple weeks ago for the first time in a few years. We usually go 81. I used to come 95 just for something different but I my not do it again, it's not fun any more. 81 is way better