Boston to Daytona

[juudede]

We just purchased a FR Micro-Lite 21FBRS. Excited. Our first trip will be in January when we will drive to Florida for 4-6 weeks. Looking for the best route. We've driven to Florida 3 times previously, but never towing a TT. What do we need to watch out for or avoid? How far can we get during daylight hours if we stop every 2 hours for about 15 minutes? All advise is welcome. We are fairly newbies to towing. Towed a pop-up years ago, but never in winter and we never left New England. We are retired and can take our time. Thanks.

[Trevor43]

95

[38FLCamper]

Couple of tips:

Be flexible if possible in your departure dates. Leave early/late if weather is going to be a problem (Ice/Snow/etc)

Stay away from the tunnels - no propane allowed in most of the tunnels

As soon as you get into warmer weather - get to a car wash and hand spray the entire rig top/bottom/etc to get rid of road salt (it will play havoc with all the systems)

Running for daylight hours only and stopping every 2 hours for 15 or so minutes you will need two full days and possible getting into a third day. (Assume you travel 8:00am - 5:00pm)

[Witch Doctor]

DO NOT plan to stop in Virginia for over night all CG are closed down 95 south. Might find a private open but you will add miles off 95 to get there From Richmond south I don't remember any and I live here.

[King Yankee]

I can tell you our 'normal route' from NH to Fl. We go 90-87-287-78-81-77-26-95, much easier than it sounds. If weather is a concern than we'll go from 81-64-95. All depends on weather my friend. Take 3 days, 55-60 mph stopping for our yorkie, OK me. Great ride, be safe.

[asquared]

You will need to take 695 around Baltimore as propane is not allowed in the Baltimore tunnels on both 95 and 895. Avoid DC at rush hour!!!!! Nice overnight campground in Jacksonville fl just off of 95 is pecan park rv resort. We stayed there on our way to Disney last year. I have seen many post about Carolina crossroads for an over nighter in NC.

Check your tires for heat at every stop. Check your tire pressure before leaving home. Being a newer tt, check your lug torque before leaving. At every stop double check your hitch and trailer pigtail to make sure nobody monkeyed with it. Take it slow and easy. When we went to Disney we did 9-10 hrs first day and 3 hrs the second day going down. Coming home we did the whole thing in one shot, never again. 8-9 hours is a good expectation. We didn't make reservations but took the exit now book with us. When we felt stopping would be a good idea, we pulled the book out and found a campground. We called ahead to verify availability. This worked well.

[OldCoot]

Along with what asquared said, being a new trailer, I would check the torque on the lug nuts at least 2 or 3 times until they no longer move. ESPECIALLY if you have alum. wheels. 110lb/ft torque for 1/2" studs.

[halliday]

We've driven south from Nova Scotia every winter the last few years. First time we took 95 all the way. Never again. The route easiest on the blood pressure is 95-495-280-90-84-81-77-26-95. It adds a few miles, but you miss the insanity of NY and the GW bridge, the tolls through NJ, the tunnel in Baltimore and the suicide drivers around DC.

We drive hard for 2 days and by the third night we make it to New Green Acres RV park in Walterboro, SC. $30pn full hook up with cable. All pull through and you can wash your rig to get all the salt off.

Andy

[KQ2N]

Originally Posted by King Yankee

I can tell you our 'normal route' from NH to Fl. We go 90-87-287-78-81-77-26-95, much easier than it sounds. If weather is a concern than we'll go from 81-64-95. All depends on weather my friend. Take 3 days, 55-60 mph stopping for our yorkie, OK me. Great ride, be safe.

Agree with King Yankee's route, I do the same route except starting out here in Central NY State by going down 81. Some things though to keep in mind is that you're going though the mountains on I-81 which can be colder and more prone to bad wx compared to the I-95 route. Also, I-77 around Statesville, NC has a stretch of rough pavement. Avoid Charlotte around morning and evening rush hours....

[wfmdfm]

I plan on driving from Mass to Clermont FLA in Feb 2015. I have mapped out my route on Microsoft Trips and Streets. If you are interested I could email you my plans and campground stops. I know the stops I have decided on will be open at my travel time. Let me know if your interested.
Wally

[juudede]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond to my query. Wally, would love to see your plan. My email is juudede@gmail.com. Spouse handles the trailer details (tires and lugs and hitch). I'm the navigator!!

[King Yankee]

Please, just stay away from I-95 from Conn. To Richmond, Va. Safe travels and let us know which route you plan to take or took.

[juudede]

We actually bought the TT at the Hershey Show in September. Drove it home, 81 to 78 to 287 to 684 to 84 to Mass Pike etc. Was wondering if 78 and 81 are good roads in the winter. Are they well treated and cleared, how about rest areas. We liked the ride home in October. Will probably stay in hotel at least the first night or two.

[lotsip]

Kind of in the same dilemna route wise........cape cod to sarasota leaving day after christmas.........only a 3000lb trailer with a new Tundra deciding 95 / tappen zee vs 495-90-84-81-etc......... I know new haven to richmond sucks towing, but, less likelyhood of bad roads in winter and shorter than the inland route. Will probably check the three day forecast and decide then.

[juudede]

Hi halliday, two weeks to tentative departure - was wondering where you spend those first two nights? We won't be traveling hard, expecting to limit first day to 350 miles. Our trip begins at 290 to 90 to 84 to 81. Will need pet friendly hotel. Thanks.

[lotsip]

Originally Posted by juudede

Hi halliday, two weeks to tentative departure - was wondering where you spend those first two nights? We won't be traveling hard, expecting to limit first day to 350 miles. Our trip begins at 290 to 90 to 84 to 81. Will need pet friendly hotel. Thanks.

just took the 90 to 84 to 81 route..........for the second time............my first nite is the super Walmart in Pittston, Pa, right off the highway. There is a great asian buffet a hundred years from the parking lot, and a Pilot gas station.

[BillMFl]

Originally Posted by juudede

We actually bought the TT at the Hershey Show in September. Drove it home, 81 to 78 to 287 to 684 to 84 to Mass Pike etc. Was wondering if 78 and 81 are good roads in the winter. Are they well treated and cleared, how about rest areas. We liked the ride home in October. Will probably stay in hotel at least the first night or two.

This is the route I use going to/from Maine every summer. Watch the weather forecasts before leaving. I hate 95 in the Northeast but in winter it may only be raining along the coast but ice and snow on 84 and 81. The passes thru the Blue Ridge area can be very dicey with winter conditions too. Driving at or slightly below the speed limits I plan an average of 50mph on our trips. This includes stops for fuel, food, rest room. etc. Daylight hours are much shorter in winter and I hate to set up after dark, so this time of year I would want to arrive by 5pm. Assuming you are on the road by 9am you should be able to travel about 400 miles per day if road conditions are good. Western Village near Carlisle, Pa is open year round and might be a good first day for you. The next day I shoot for Fayetteville, NC. The KOA near there is very nice. My next stop would be Brunswick, Ga. Coastal Ga Rv. Brand new park with all concrete pull thrus. All three of these parks will be in the 300 to 400 mile per day range and there are many other choices all along I95 once you are south of Richmond.

[Crusadernoob]

Leominster, what a small world. I grew up in Baldwinville, have made the trip from MA to NC many times and we will only take 2-91-84-81-77 easy "country" driving a lot of easy places to stop. 81 can get a little bad weather towards the southern tip of VA but we have never had a problem, the rough roads in Statesville, as someone mentioned is fixed, the Charlotte commute is rough, don't go it at rush hour. From here 77-26-95 is a breeze. We tried the 95 thing ONE time, NEVER again. Good luck!

[juudede]

Thank you all again so much. 84 and 81 in winter makes me nervous. As you all said I think our route will defiantly depend on weather conditions. I'll let you all know what we decide and will check in along the way. Thanks for the Walmart tip but I think we'll use a hotel the first night or two. Trailer is winterized and I think I'll wait for the warmer nights to begin camping.

[jergeod]

How come no one using 81 south doesn't use 66 in Strasburg WV to 17 to 95 and miss the hills in NC? 66 and 17 are both great roads maybe a little slower but nice ride.