Best route

[Llmk100]

Looking for suggestions from someone who has made a trip from SW Florida to Littleton Mass. Would really appreciate route suggestions and some overnight park suggestions on the way. We usually like to stay around 300 miles a day but there is flexibility there.
Littleton, Mass is about 40 miles West of Boston.

[GraciesDaddy]

I echo a few others in the forum: What are you wanting out of the trip? Simplicity? "Easy" driving (Yeah, RIGHT!)? Lack of tolls? It's up to you to decide.

That said, from Port C. I'd take 75 to Atlanta, around the EAST side (less traffic) on 285 to 85 North. Then, 85 to 77 in Charlotte, 77 to 81 in Virginia. Then — and this is the good part — you get to traverse 81 all the way to Scranton, drop south a few miles to pick up 84 and track that all the way to the Mass Parkway and 290 into Littleton. You cross the Hudson at Newberg, NY — WELL north of the Big Apple! — and you're home free!

I choose this route because I used to live in Roanoke, VA, and 81 is, to me, one of the most beautiful drives of Interstate there is! While there can be accidents and backups anywhere, along ANY (well-planned?) route, the I-95 and that nightmare known as The Capitol Beltway as well as getting through Baltimore and points north just aren't worth it! I ran your itinerary through Google Maps and the I-95 route takes 21 hours and 48 minutes... I-81 via Scranton: 24 hours.

Not having a KILLER headache when you arrive: Priceless.

[xctraveler]

It sort of depends on how long you plan to take for the trip. We would take 95 to Florence, stay at Swampfox RV, not great but level and fhu then take US 29 to Charlottesville then I 64 to I 81 to I 88. From Albany area the options are I 90 - expensive tolls - or US 20, our favorite road. This is much slower, avoids major cities and no tolls at all.

From Florence we are 6 hours from our son so not sure where to stay in Charlottesville area, must be a Walmart on the route. The intown walmart is a no no impossible access and not permitted (also well out of your way).

[Llmk100]

Llmk100 wrote:

ct1964ups wrote:

Llmk100 wrote:
We are leaving from Port Charlotte, FL for the trip to Massachusetts.

We have a home in Ct ,but follow almost all of FSU football ...both in Tally and on the road.....so at times go up and down the road
So I would leave PC and go up 75 to Ga exit 201....there is Flying j @ exit..there I cut across Ga rt 23 to rt 16 in Jackson to rt 83 in Monticello..this is good truck road,but not busy ,about 45 miles to I-20
I-20 to Columbia,SC to I-77 north to I-81 east....to I-78 just past Harrisburg,Pa
I-78 east to I-287 north to I-87 north to Newburgh,NY...
Pickup I-84 east ...to the Mass line to pickup I-90

I would stay at Tall Pines in Elko,Ga,,,exit 127..just pass Perry,Ga..first nite..easy on and off....in 300 mile range..all pull thrus
Stay at the Barnyard Rv in Lexington,SC....@ exit 58 near Columbia ...easy on and off..all pull thrus
then stay at Lee-Hi.campground @ exit 197 off 81 in Lexington,Va..nice pull thrus but ask for one....behind a truck stop but far enough to still be quiet..again easy on and off..348 miles to here from Barnyard
then Pine Hill in Kutztown,Pa at exit 40 off I-78......all pull thrus...and @ the 300 mile mark
sorry, but after that it is about 185 miles to the Ct...state line....and not sure where to say to stay..but I would think you will make the Mass destination with little trouble
Hope this helps....Chuck

[Llmk100]

ct1964ups wrote:

Llmk100 wrote:
We are leaving from Port Charlotte, FL for the trip to Massachusetts.

We have a home in Ct ,but follow almost all of FSU football ...both in Tally and on the road.....so at times go up and down the road
So I would leave PC and go up 75 to Ga exit 201....there is Flying j @ exit..there I cut across Ga rt 23 to rt 16 in Jackson to rt 83 in Monticello..this is good truck road,but not busy ,about 45 miles to I-20
I-20 to Columbia,SC to I-77 north to I-81 east....to I-78 just past Harrisburg,Pa
I-78 east to I-287 north to I-87 north to Newburgh,NY...
Pickup I-84 east ...to the Mass line to pickup I-90

I would stay at Tall Pines in Elko,Ga,,,exit 127..just pass Perry,Ga..first nite..easy on and off....in 300 mile range..all pull thrus
Stay at the Barnyard Rv in Lexington,SC....@ exit 58 near Columbia ...easy on and off..all pull thrus
then stay at Lee-Hi.campground @ exit 197 off 81 in Lexington,Va..nice pull thrus but ask for one....behind a truck stop but far enough to still be quiet..again easy on and off..348 miles to here from Barnyard
then Pine Hill in Kutztown,Pa at exit 40 off I-78......all pull thrus...and @ the 300 mile mark
sorry, but after that it is about 185 miles to the Ct...state line....and not sure where to say to stay..but I would think you will make the Mass destination with little trouble
Hope this helps....Chuck

[joelc]

bobcatcharlie wrote:
A lot of folks work their way north on I-81 to avoid DC and NYC area.

That is what I do when I go from NC to Mass. Loop around Baltimore and DC by taking 81. It is a little longer, but you don't get caught in the grid lock and construction of DC area.

[ct1964ups]

Llmk100 wrote:
We are leaving from Port Charlotte, FL for the trip to Massachusetts.

We have a home in Ct ,but follow almost all of FSU football ...both in Tally and on the road.....so at times go up and down the road
So I would leave PC and go up 75 to Ga exit 201....there is Flying j @ exit..there I cut across Ga rt 23 to rt 16 in Jackson to rt 83 in Monticello..this is good truck road,but not busy ,about 45 miles to I-20
I-20 to Columbia,SC to I-77 north to I-81 east....to I-78 just past Harrisburg,Pa
I-78 east to I-287 north to I-87 north to Newburgh,NY...
Pickup I-84 east ...to the Mass line to pickup I-90

I would stay at Tall Pines in Elko,Ga,,,exit 127..just pass Perry,Ga..first nite..easy on and off....in 300 mile range..all pull thrus
Stay at the Barnyard Rv in Lexington,SC....@ exit 58 near Columbia ...easy on and off..all pull thrus
then stay at Lee-Hi.campground @ exit 197 off 81 in Lexington,Va..nice pull thrus but ask for one....behind a truck stop but far enough to still be quiet..again easy on and off..348 miles to here from Barnyard
then Pine Hill in Kutztown,Pa at exit 40 off I-78......all pull thrus...and @ the 300 mile mark
sorry, but after that it is about 185 miles to the Ct...state line....and not sure where to say to stay..but I would think you will make the Mass destination with little trouble
Hope this helps....Chuck

[Llmk100]

Glad you sent that. I was wondering. We have had many interesting and informative suggestions that will certainly help. As for stops, we will use good SAMs and rv parks. Net for some info and hope that the ratings are ok. Only overnight stops but still want level full hook pull thrus.

[XBoater]

Pass42 wrote:
Another place to exit 95 is Fredericksburg, VA, onto 17N to 66W to 81N

X2

Last trip I-295 around Richmond was clear of most construction too. For the few extra miles you will easily make up in missing traffic on I-95 through the NE cities.

Try to make your schedule so you are not on I-84 in CT during busy times. It is 2 lanes and you will sit during rush hours.

Sorry, we drive straight through or Wal-mart nap along the way so no stop recommendations.

[Passin_Thru]

Just wait til they get started making 81 into an 8 lane. Some has started in the southern part. Then it will be an Oriental fire drill.

[Pass42]

Another place to exit 95 is Fredericksburg, VA, onto 17N to 66W to 81N

[ferndaleflyer]

I would never go as far up I-95 as DC....1st problem is construction day and night starting below Quantico, VA. I travel this often and it sucks. Hit I-26 in SC and take it to I-77 up to I-81 in Virginia. At Scranton, PA jog a little South on I-380 and then pick up I-84 East (North?)Part of this is Mass Tpk. to I-90 to I-495 to exit 30 Littleton......You won't be sorry as you miss all of the BIG city hassles and most of the tolls other than Mass Tpk. Be aware of the weather in the winter but Interstates are usually open even in the worst conditions. I have made the trip both ways, I-95, and it might be longer in miles but its shorter in time and agreivation.

[Sez_Hoo_]

X2 on I-81. Go up I-95 and take the I-495 beltway around DC. Go up to Baltimore and pick up I-695 around Baltimore. Get off I-695 at the I-83 north exit. Take I-83 up to Harrisburg PA and get on I-81. Take I-81 into Scranton PA, then pick up I-84 east. You will by-pass all but 1 toll in Port Jervis NY. It cost me $5.00 to cross in a 40'dp with a car on a tow dolly. If you want you can then take I-84 through CT and right up to I-90 in MA.

The northeast corridor is loaded with toll roads. By going this way you will by-pass all but one toll and its a cheap one. The milage is more but the lack of tolls and better scenery makes up for it. Two years ago the Tappenzee Bridge cost me $25 to cross. Go a little farther north and pay $5 to cross the same river.

[K_Charles]

95 26 77 81 78 287

[bobcatcharlie]

A lot of folks work their way north on I-81 to avoid DC and NYC area.