Headed to Upstate NY/Plattsbugh from NC

[Ken K.]

Headed out Sunday evening after work (10/01) to go up to the Platsburgh-Great Isle area. Looking at two possible routes. I really want to avoid Washington and Baltimore traffic. We were looking at I-81 to I-78 to I-87. But we would have to take lots of back roads with out 36 ft rig it would be a slow start. Option 2 is right up I-85 to I-95 to NJ turnpike then his I_87 after bypassing NY city. We would also just take the bypass around DC and Baltimore. IS there another way, if not which would you go with. I have to work a 12 hr shift in charge of an ICU before leaving so I need to keep that in mind also...

[Bsens07]

Going to and from Florida I avoid DC like the plague. I use I95 until Fredericksburg VA and then jump on RT 17. Take that all the way up to I-81 in Winchester VA. I have only done it in a car but there is quite a bit of trucking traffic through there. I-95 to RT 17 to I-81. Then from there you could hit I-78 or ride I-81 to Binghamton and pick up I-88. Probably not your fastest route but might be the least stressful with traffic.

[Ken K.]

Hmmm just looked at live traffic for DC's bypass which was my planned foil for D.C. Traffic and Yikes. Driving through or even wishing 50 miles of those cities will add hours to my Drive. I think I will just take hwy 501 up to I-81 and be done with it. I live in north central NC so it's not too far out of the way. Thanks for the clarity!

[youroo]

If you need a C/G in the Platt/Grand Isle area I recommend Champlain Adult C/G it is right around the corner from the Gordon Landing Ferry! It is also a PPA /50% off C/G! Youroo!!

[RobertDS]

Originally Posted by youroo

PPA

Youroo!!

What is PPA?

[wogden]

We live in southern Vt and have made the same run many times. We run up 81 despite the heavy truck traffic and then onto 78 to 287 in nj and up the thruway in NY to Albany where (in your case) you can jump on to the Northway to Plattsburgh. Jumping on to 78 to Jersey saves you from running the mountain in northern PA with all the truck traffic. Last time I was on I88 out of Binghamton to Schenectady the road was really rough. They may have fixed it this summer, don't know for sure.

[SilverArrowPro]

I always travel 81 to 84 to 87... And visaversa.

[Strigflag]

I thoroughly hate the DC/Balto/GW bridge traffic. And since my daughter lives in Durham and we live in CT I have looked at a lot of different ways. My latest decision is to use US301 out of Richmond, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge(US50/301) and connect to I95 in Newark, DE. If you want a mid-point stop you may consider Dover Downs (casino) for a free, no hookup site. You can then take DE1 to the Del. Mem. Bridge.
Just to screw NJ out of their high tolls, I pick up I295 after the Del. Mem. Bridge and follow that to I195 then a short stretch on I95/NJT to I287N that will bypass the Garden State Parkway (also Toll). That will bring you directly to I87N.
I know US301 is not an interstate but I have taken it successfully with much less stress than the I95 option.
Be aware that the fuel prices in NJ are no longer a bargain and on a level with the rest of the northeast. There is a Flying J at the first exit off I295 that, with a Good Sam card, will save you $0.05 per gallon. Also another reasonable fuel stop is off I287 in Mawah, NJ17. Also a Pilot about a mile up.

Good Luck and enjoy the journey

[Michele and Douglas]

Originally Posted by SilverArrowPro

I always travel 81 to 84 to 87... And visaversa.

Ditto. Similar to the route we took from mid Pa to Albany a little over a week ago as part of our return from Williamsburg, VA.

[Hydroseeder]

I like the 95 to 17 in Fredericksburg but traveling from NC to Pa on a regular bases I run a much more beautiful route. Run into WV, up 19 to 79 north. Absolutely beautiful ride if you are not pressed on time because you will stop to take in the views. Avoid the Pa turnpike, in Morgantown,WV take 68 east if you need to go east PA and pick up the north/south Pa pike. It will take more time but WOW.... the views. Bit partial, born and raised in WV.

[ncvet]

Going to and from Florida I avoid DC like the plague. I use I95 until Fredericksburg VA and then jump on RT 17. Take that all the way up to I-81 in Winchester VA. I have only done it in a car but there is quite a bit of trucking traffic through there. I-95 to RT 17 to I-81. Then from there you could hit I-78 or ride I-81 to Binghamton and pick up I-88. Probably not your fastest route but might be the least stressful with traffic.

I live in Plattsburgh area and I use this RT with the RV. RT 17 is divided hiway . You will have a lot of truck traffic between Winchester and Harrisburg. You might run into some construction but that is probably a given any place during the Summer/Fall. There are a number of Flying J's..you can not overnight at the Carlisle PA one but you can at the one just south of NY border. You avoid tolls this way. BTW, toll from NJ to Albany NY is about $25 with toad.
Fredericksburgh to Binghamton about 7 hrs and Bignhamton to P'burgh is 5-6.
I hope you enjoy the trip, some beautiful country is ahead of you

__________________

[Villagerjjm]

Take Rt 81 to just north of Harrisburg, Pa., then take Rt 78 to Rt. 287, Rt 287 to Rt 87, rt 87 to Plattsburgh. If you want to avoid tolls and are not in a big hurry, take rt. 9 instead of rt 87.

[rracer5]

Just keep in mind, depending on the time of day you will hit a certain area....RUSH hours. IE; I287 in Jersey & I87 from NY/NJ border north to around Newburgh will be heavy NY/NJ metro area traffic.

I would stick to the most western/northern routes around NJ/NYC area. Same for DC, I81 up through Va, WVa, Maryland, PA, to Scranton & I84 east to I87.

Safe trip!!

[Ken K.]

I am so excited and at the same time terrified. First big trip with this larger rig. We upgraded from a Rockwood Mini Lite 2502KS. 10 ft longer and 5000lbs heavier loaded. We have driven a couple hundred miles to the beach and mountains. I know there are some semi sized potholes between me and D.C. On 95. I still have the China bombs on so I don't want to risk that. Plus having been through D.C. Several times before there is never a good time to go through there. I think what I want to to is leave Durham and go straight up 501 to I-84 above Lynchburg Va and take that all the way to New York and then hop over to I-81 to Plattsburgh and ferry over to the Great Isle. I have been looking at live traffic data on google and waze I think that seems like a reasonable route. There's only one toll area so it's not a terrible plan. I'll probably stop around Hagerstown MD for the night Sunday finish Monday hope to be there by 4 PM. I am looking forward to some fall weather and foliage and maybe some artisan maple syrup too.

Thanks for all the input and advice.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by RobertDS

What is PPA?

You chopped it off,but "PPA 50% off C/G" is a "Passport America 50% off Campground"! Youroo!!

[Bluepill]

Colors are coming in nicely. Catskills and Adirondaks last week:





Cold snap this weekend (After 90 degree days) should make the colors really pop. Enjoy.

[Ken K.]

I'm loving that thanks!!!

[Ken K.]

Cumberland Bay St Park. We had a waterfront site beautiful sun rises and sun sets. Foliage still hasn’t peaked. But we have explored some beautiful country side. I highly recommend the drive through the Hero Islands. Love it here!