Kentucky to Maine over Labor day???

[KyDan]

We're going to Maine in September.
1st time ever!! Woo hoo!!!
Problem as I see it is where Labor Day falls this year. It's as late in Sept
as it can be.
We'd like to arrive Bass Harbor camp ground near Acadia NP on or about
Tuesday Sept 8.
We figure 3 to 4 days drive time. Whoops- I mean 6 days to get there... That would put us on the road over
the Labor Day weekend.

AM I CRAZY TO CONSIDER DRIVING UP TO MAINE OVER THE LONG WEEKEND???

Anyone with real experience driving up the I 81 to I95 corridor please speak up! Tell me I can do it or talk me out of it!!

Or should I just forget it and hit the road on Tuesday Sept 8 and loose
a week of early September weather???

[KyDan]

The question is moot. Wife just informed me she has non-negotiable Dr. appointment on Sept 8.
Sheesh- we've only been talking about this Maine in September trip for a
year.....

Still would like advice about towing that route.
Tolls etc. Should we get some sort of toll pass thingie???

Thanks!

[youroo]

Travel during (Long W/Ends) is not a problem,finding a (Campground) during that time of year is the Issue! Youroo!!

[n-e-d]

Have no experience south of New York,Hartford and Sturbridge are alittle bogged down on any weekend and the New Hampshire/Kittery section does the same. Having an EZPass definitely helps and depending on the size of your rig I like the coast route US1 from Bath to Ellsworth. Bass Harbor is near Bass Harbor Light and Southwest Harbor my favorite side of the island

[Todouble]

Anyone with real experience driving up the I 81 to I95 corridor please speak up! Tell me I can do it or talk me out of it!!
[/QUOTE]

Where does 81 come up to 95??

[DSurette]

From southeast Tennessee I take 81 all the way to Scranton, PA and then 84 to the Mass. Turnpike to 495 to 95. This way avoids the New York area. 81 doesn't run into 95.

[Lost Vermonters]

The toll booths in New Hampshire are ALWAYS a problem on weekends depending on time of day. Friday nights and Saturday mornings are a joke. Avoid that going up and avoid the end of the weekends coming back. Otherwise enjoy the view, it is a great part of the country.

[CTGREG]

No matter when, where you route, or how long, I would recommend getting a NYEZPASS from their Web site. Depending on size of your truck as a tow vehicle, MA ezpass required a commercial ezpass which is more money. That is why I went to NY'S website to enroll my Ram 2500. Another reason to choose my 2500 over the 3500. I find that the ezpass saves quite a bit of time whenever I traveled

[stevewise]

I went up I-71 to I-90 then to HWY 8 to I-87 took the ferry to Grand Isle, then I-89 to US2 to ME17 to Camden, really a nice drive just the DW and the dog. There is a great CG on Grand Isle.

[deartruc]

Originally Posted by DSurette

From southeast Tennessee I take 81 all the way to Scranton, PA and then 84 to the Mass. Turnpike to 495 to 95. This way avoids the New York area. 81 doesn't run into 95.

X2 on this route. Probably the quickest. The tolls in New England won't break the bank, but are a nuisance due to frequency, especially when you get to the MA/NH border. NY couldn't stand having a freeway so they dropped a toll on 84 in the middle of nowhere.

[Todouble]

I always heard 84 thru Connecticut was always crowded and backed up?? I went up 87 to Albany, then 90 east to 495 then 95 into Maine. It is longer than staying on 84 but man I hate traffic. Anyone local to that area?

[deartruc]

84 takes you through Waterbury and Hartford. High volumes of traffic during rush hours. But, I can't imagine the time it takes to drive up to Albany then across 90 would be faster even during rush hour times. Traffic rarely comes to a standstill. The local cbs affiliate's (wfsb.com) website has a traffic page. It shows the congestion and type. You can even drag the map to see the traffic going up to ME.

[n-e-d]

Weekends and rush hours can be tough on 84 at Hartford and 84 junction at Mass pike.Followed a big 5er thru Hartford last year at a crawl. Driver stayed in middle lane and avoided the entering and exiting traffic. But its what you'll find on any metro area or toll road. Mass pike will bog down east and west at 84 at times. i've been stuck 2 miles from 84 merge on Pike east in slow stop and go traffic.