Tappan Zee Bridge and 9 west heading south..

[nancyjerry]

Leaving Ct on Saturday morning to head to Outer Banks, N.C.
Going around NYC on Saturday we thought of using Tappan Zee Bridge then 9.
Using N.J. turnpike to 195, then 295/40 into Delawre.
Then 95 to Cabelas in Wilmington,Delaware for the night.
Never done this, any help?

[jplante4]

nancyjerry wrote:
Anyone know if Garden State Pkwy takes credit cards ?

Stop at the first rest area on the GSP and buy an NJ EzPass. Activate it right there, link it to a credit card and you're good for multiple states' tolls.

Some tolls (mostly at exits) don't even take cash - EzPass only.

[nancyjerry]

Anyone know if Garden State Pkwy takes credit cards ?

[JimFromJersey]

If you're on the "inside route" (e.g., the NJTP/I-95) southbound, you can slide over to I-295 South whenever you get the opportunity. I-295 and the Turnpike (NOT I-95) do indeed parallel most of the way south from around Trenton there. I-95 splits off and crosses into Pennsylvania, and then runs down along the Delaware River and through Philly and Wilmington before it starts to head SSW towards Baltimore. You do NOT want to take I-95 between Trenton and points south. Take the Turnpike or I-295, they both feed right onto the Delaware Memorial Bridge. You'll pay a toll to escape New Jersey. Not sure what an RV and toad would be - normal charge for two axles is $4.00

You could also take the Parkway south and then I-195 west across the state to catch I-295 or the Turnpike.

[nancyjerry]

Wow, great advice!
We are driving 40' + toad.
Any reason on the NJ Garden S.P., NOT to take 195 outside of Trenton, onto 295?
It seems to run parallel?, we will be driving this around 11-2 pm on a
Saturday.

[JimFromJersey]

..oh, and also, once you are out of the congestion to the north and west of NYC, it doesn't matter TOO much whether you take I-95/NJTP or the GSP south. Much of the TP in the middle of the state has been repaved and widened recently, and on Saturday you shouldn't see too much trouble once you're south of the Newark Airport/Jersey City area. The problem with the GSP is that you'll need to take the Cape May ferry across to Lewes if you stay on it all the way south, which can be pleasant but also a bit $$$$ for a camper.

[JimFromJersey]

Follow the advice for US 13 S through DE and the Eastern Shore - It is MUCH easier, calmer, and more pleasant than the interstates, esp. if you are not in a real big hurry, as you seem not to be. In Dover DE look for US 113, which angles over to the east a bit and bypasses about 15 random traffic lights and the town of Salisbury MD. +1 on Kiptopeke SP in VA. Lums Pond is a state park and has very little, if any, hookups, so be prepared to boondock if you stay there. Also agree about the Cabelas in Christiana. It's right off I-95 but because of the goofy way they just re-did all the exit ramps there, a 200-yard crow flight takes about four miles through mall traffic...

[Crabbypatty]

When we go southbound and have been to OBX we took rte 13 south through Delaware to the Cheasapeke Bay bridge, across Norfolk to the OBX. !3 is great and there are many CG's We have stayed at Toms Cove and CherrystoneVA our favorite CG. At the bottem of 13 is also Kiptopeke State Park, looks real nice I would stay there as well.We also Took 78 to 81 in Pennsylvania across to 66 to Fredericksburg and stayed at Fredericksburg KOA anoth favorite layover spot of ours.


Happy Trails Im Jealous

[fitznj]

I would stay OFF RT9 with a camper; Too much cross traffic especially as you get close to Fort Lee.

287-GSP-Turnpike is the best/safest route with a camper. Done it MANY times but stay off those roads around rush hour.

I just did the RT13/Chesapeake Bridge earlier this month. Relaxed drive (compared to RT95). A couple of good camp grounds (Lums Pond, Killians, Assateague) for overnight stops.

[camper19709]

weathershak wrote:

nancyjerry wrote:
Leaving Ct on Saturday morning to head to Outer Banks, N.C.
Going around NYC on Saturday we thought of using Tappan Zee Bridge then 9.
Using N.J. turnpike to 195, then 295/40 into Delawre.
Then 95 to Cabelas in Wilmington,Delaware for the night.
Never done this, any help?

Personally, I would take the Tappan Zee bridge to Rt 287 South to the Garden State Parkway South, to the NJTP South to Delaware, follow signs to Dover and Rt 1 South, then get onto Rt 13 South which will take you South to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Follow Rt 13 South to Rt 64 East. Take 64 East to Exit 291B, Rt 168 South to Rt 158 South, which will take you to the OBX.

When you get in Delaware, there are plenty of places to stop for a rest. Lums Pond is a nice CG. You can also stop at the rest area north of Smyrna Rt1
Cabellas is located by a Mall and is a very congested area. It may be a PITA if you want to spend the night there.

route 13 down through Delaware is much more direct to the OBX and a very relaxing drive and beautiful farm countryside. It is a wide divided highway.
Also, I live near the Cabellas and I would not count on staying there. It is a very congested area behind the store and most of the parking is taken up by tractor trailers used for storage.
I would suggest Lums Pond Campground or the Rest Area just north of Smyrna on route 13. Or Dover Downs Raceway and Casino allows free RV parking. It is just north of Dover and right on route 13.
any questions feel free to pm me 🙂

[BillMFl]

I prefer 287 to 78. 78 has fewer hills. Not sure where you are in Conn but Western Village in Carlisle Pa is where we usually stop. Should be close to your 4 hour drive time. We then use 81 to 66 to 17 to Fredericksburg and 95. This route avoids most of the NJ, Baltimore,Washington traffic hassles. 17 is mostly 4 lane and a pretty drive thru Va farmland.

[demoon]

Our daughter lives on the Outer Banks and we always use the route weathershak suggested.

[pennysmom09]

weathershak wrote:

nancyjerry wrote:
Leaving Ct on Saturday morning to head to Outer Banks, N.C.
Going around NYC on Saturday we thought of using Tappan Zee Bridge then 9.
Using N.J. turnpike to 195, then 295/40 into Delawre.
Then 95 to Cabelas in Wilmington,Delaware for the night.
Never done this, any help?

Personally, I would take the Tappan Zee bridge to Rt 287 South to the Garden State Parkway South, to the NJTP South to Delaware, follow signs to Dover and Rt 1 South, then get onto Rt 13 South which will take you South to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Follow Rt 13 South to Rt 64 East. Take 64 East to Exit 291B, Rt 168 South to Rt 158 South, which will take you to the OBX.

When you get in Delaware, there are plenty of places to stop for a rest. Lums Pond is a nice CG. You can also stop at the rest area north of Smyrna Rt1


Cabellas is located by a Mall and is a very congested area. It may be a PITA if you want to spend the night there.

This is the route we use to go south as well, often returning from family visits in MA.

[gcloss]

When you go over the Tappan Zee Bridge stay in the extreme right lane and check out the new bridge that is being built on the north side of the bridge. It's pretty awesome sight to see.

New NY Bridge

[jplante4]

nancyjerry wrote:
Thank you so much. Will re-look at your suggestions! Planning to stop 2 nights. We only drive 4 or so hours a day.

Good plan. Have a good winter in Kitty Hawk. I envy your winter gig.