Best way to Travel From MA to Central FLA

[Mike1975]

Hello all I am in the middle of my move to Florida and I will be driving down in my 2005 Fleetwood Excursion. I am near Worcester MA so I am just thinking about hoping on 84. I would like to stay out of NY and major cities if I can avoid them without adding tons of hours to our trip. Any trip advice would be helpful.
Thanks in advance.

[kevden]

I usually use the tappan zee bridge to cross the hudson.

Last year we took the 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 route and there were bumper to bumper 18 wheelers the entire lenght of 81. Much better than trying to get through NYC/Baltimore/DC on 95, though.

I did not like the long steep grade on 77 at fancy gap. We made it up/down just fine, but are one of the other routes connecting to I95 better?

[Mike1975]

Thanks and these routes skip the tunnel i seem to remember in Baltimore or somewhere around there?

[ct1964ups]

boba wrote:
we just went to fla from pok ny--we took the nys thruway to 287 to 78. stayed at cabelas overnight and then to 81 to 66 to 17 to 95. it avoids washington and baltimore and is just a nicer ride.

From Mass, I agree with above...90 to 84 thru Hartford...the 15 minutes it takes to get thru isn't a problem ..on 84 to Newburgh,NY then 87 south to 287 for 45 miles to 78 west to 81...then in Winchester,Va take I-66 for 25 miles to rt 17 thru Warrenton,Va to 95 south...I like to go thru Richmond on 95 as traffic is heavy for about 10 miles and then it is smooth sailing....Have a safe trip...Chuck

[boba]

we just went to fla from pok ny--we took the nys thruway to 287 to 78. stayed at cabelas overnight and then to 81 to 66 to 17 to 95. it avoids washington and baltimore and is just a nicer ride.

[Rick_Jay]

Ed C, I agree with your route, I just want to clarify your statement:

Ed C wrote:
Try this, 84 to 91 south (avoids Hartford) to 691 to 84.

Routes 84 & 91 cross in Hartford, so there's no way to totally avoid Hartford, but your route does keep you out of the center of the city and drops you on 91S on the south side of the city which is about the best you can do. Good route.

I agree with getting to Route 81 in PA and heading south. Much less of a hassle than 95S and heading down to Florida, you should be able to do it toll free (excepting the Mass Pike, if you need to use it to get to 84). Coming back, if you play it right, you'll only pay a single toll to cross the Hudson River (either Tappan Zee or Rt. 84).

~Rick

[Roadpilot]

Ed C wrote:
Try this, 84 to 91 south (avoids Hartford) to 691 to 84. Stay on 84 to Scranton then 81. If the weather looks bad get off 84 the first exit in PA take 209 to 80 to 33 to 22 (Allentown) 22 changes to 78 to 81. 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 to 4. It's 1500 miles from the Cape to Disney; we take 4 days.

Basically what we do twice a year for years. 84 to Scranton then down to 66 to 17 to 95 after Winchester, VA or stay on 81 all the way to 77 to 26 to 95, which is preferred.

In a car, sometimes we'll try 95 through NY, Balt and DC but never with a MH.

[Ed_C]

Try this, 84 to 91 south (avoids Hartford) to 691 to 84. Stay on 84 to Scranton then 81. If the weather looks bad get off 84 the first exit in PA take 209 to 80 to 33 to 22 (Allentown) 22 changes to 78 to 81. 81 to 77 to 26 to 95 to 4. It's 1500 miles from the Cape to Disney; we take 4 days.

[BillMFl]

I84 to Port Jervis, 209 south to 33 to I78 near Allentown. I78 to I81. I78 stays south of the mountain ridges. Nice smooth road to I81 just north of Harrisburg. I81 a little north of Harrisburg and on to Scranton becomes a long series of steep ridges and sweeping mountain curves. If you go on weekends or non rush hour I84 to Danbury, 684 to WhitePlains to I78. No bridge toll heading west.

[JDenPA]

Mike
I usually take I64 from I81 then 17 South to I95. Then take I295 around Richmond. You will avoid all the East Coast City traffic.

[Mike1975]

So looks like route 84 to 81 then to 64 to 95.
I agree with staying out of all that traffic

[joe_b_]

We have a daughter in the Boston area. Going north out of this part of Florida we tend to run on I 95 to Richmond VA, then left on I 64 to I 81 and north to NY state, I 88 east and take either I 90 on east or one of the state highways.
Any extra miles are made up in less traffic and a lot less hassle, IMHO.