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Old 01-13-2019, 12:58 PM   #1
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US 202 through PA

Considering a summer trip from the Northeast to D.C. Prefer to avoid Interstates. How is US 202 through PA?
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Old 01-13-2019, 01:49 PM   #2
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All different in spots, some places 2 lane kind of country then turns into 4 lanes like a by-pass then you will run into sections with lots of traffic lights and shopping centers. Where are you starting from, I bet you will get all kinds of routes to choose from.
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Old 01-13-2019, 10:47 PM   #3
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All different in spots, some places 2 lane kind of country then turns into 4 lanes like a by-pass then you will run into sections with lots of traffic lights and shopping centers. Where are you starting from, I bet you will get all kinds of routes to choose from.
CT, through Wilkes_Barre then 611 to 202 to US1. Plenty of time and sick of I-95. Prefer US and state highways when possible.
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Old 01-14-2019, 08:10 AM   #4
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CT, through Wilkes_Barre then 611 to 202 to US1. Plenty of time and sick of I-95. Prefer US and state highways when possible.
From where you will pick up 202 will be pretty much what I described. Some folks might say to cross over to 81 and go down, there are ways to cross back towards DC to avoid 95. I do think you will run into a good bit of traffic going the way you say but of course time of day will differ.
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Old 01-14-2019, 01:46 PM   #5
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Best overall route from Northeast corner of PA to DC is take 81 South out of Harrisburg to beltway around Baltimore to beltway around DC. Expect HEAVY traffic.
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Old 01-14-2019, 02:10 PM   #6
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Best overall route from Northeast corner of PA to DC is take 81 South out of Harrisburg to beltway around Baltimore to beltway around DC. Expect HEAVY traffic.
I-81 runs through West Virginia and western Maryland way west of Baltimore and DC. You may be thinking of I-83 which runs south from Harrisburg and York, PA to Baltimore. You can take I-81 south to where it meets I-83 north of Harrisburg and go south to Baltimore. I avoid I-95, as it is often a parking lot during weekend or rush hours.
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Old 01-14-2019, 03:55 PM   #7
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When I use to go to Rhinebeck, NY from Gettysburg, Pa. I would get to 83 north to 84 East into NY state, cross the Hudson river and take RT 9 north. You could do a variation of that and stay on 83 south to Baltimore. Its interstate highway and traffic isnt bad to York. After York I cant help since I have yet to go that way.
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Old 01-14-2019, 03:59 PM   #8
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The 30 miles north of the Delaware line to West Chester area suck in a car, IMHO. Wouldn't want to do it with a RV.

I recently drove from Middletown, CT to Harrisburg via I-95 to I-78, which wasn't "too" bad. You could get off on Rte 222 in Allentown, PA and take that south through Lancaster, PA to Route 1 north of Baltimore. But I can't speak to how great it will be for an RV.

You might want to take I-84 west far enough to get around New York.

Getting south in the "Northeast corridor" isn't easy, even without an RV. Glad I don't live there anymore.
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Old 01-14-2019, 04:42 PM   #9
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I’d recommend 81 in Wilkes barre to 83 in Harrisburg then 83 to Baltimore.

I don’t think 222 from Allentown to York would be any faster plus it is 2 and 4 lane highway. Can be very congested especially between Allentown and reading.
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Old 01-14-2019, 07:07 PM   #10
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If you decide to go down 81 to harrisburg you can pick up 15 from the south side of harrisburg down to Leesburg VA and take 7 or 66 over to DC. It is not the quickest nor the shortest but you miss Philadelphia and baltimore, a much nicer ride than the big roads in my opinion. If you are set on 611 you may want to get on the PA turnpike in willow grove or fort Washington and take it over to king of Prussia to pick up 202. 202 east of king of Prussia is both crappy riding and traffic.
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Old 01-14-2019, 08:31 PM   #11
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I agree with Mgas. I81 is a great road, but I like to take it into VA since I usually like to stop in Shenandoah NP and then head east. Don't like the roads nearer the coast, they are usually clogged with cars rushing to get down to DC. A lot depends on where in the DC area you want to go.
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Old 01-15-2019, 01:49 PM   #12
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I work in CT, live now in PA (Lancaster area) and previously lived for 54 years in MD. From CT, take I84 out to Milford PA. 209 south to I80. West on I80 for a couple miles to 33 south. Follow that to I78, just east of Bethlehem. Take I78 all the way to Harrisburg. Jump on I81 south and take that to Hagerestown, MD. In MD take I70 east to I270 East (or maybe its South). I 270 takes you straight to I495 (DC Beltway) where the fun really starts. Try to arrive there about 2 AM for least amount of traffic jams...
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Old 01-15-2019, 03:29 PM   #13
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Considering a summer trip from the Northeast to D.C. Prefer to avoid Interstates. How is US 202 through PA?
I have made the trip from NJ to almost the Delaware state line hundreds of times. Expect to be frustrated.

202 in Jersey is usually OK. Once you cross the bridge into PA it is mostly one lane in each direction for many miles. You can get stuck behind very slow cars. But nice and scenic.

South of Doylestown there is a fairly new section that is like a parkway, mostly curves. I have no problem with my 24 foot motorhome. Much longer RVs may be more of a chore.

If you choose this route Instead of the other suggested you may prefer this modification to avoid congestion between Montgomeryville and Norristown:

From 202 take 611 south to the PA turnpike, then west towards Harrisburg to the I476 exit which is a short trip. 476 south to 95 south into Delaware, but not on a Friday afternoon. You can pick up 202 after 10 or 15 minutes down 95.
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Old 01-17-2019, 10:28 AM   #14
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Thank you all for the suggestions! They are very helpful.
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Old 01-19-2019, 07:32 PM   #15
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[QUOTE=xd40c;2005695]I work in CT, live now in PA (Lancaster area) and previously lived for 54 years in MD. From CT, take I84 out to Milford PA. 209 south to I80. West on I80 for a couple miles to 33 south. Follow that to I78, just east of Bethlehem. Take I78 all the way to Harrisburg. Jump on I81 south and take that to Hagerestown, MD. In MD take I70 east to I270 East (or maybe its South). I 270 takes you straight to I495 (DC Beltway) where the fun really starts. Try to arrive there about 2 AM for least amount of traffic jams...[/QUOTE

I run the beltway every night for my job, it's very fun...lol
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Old 01-19-2019, 08:20 PM   #16
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I work the section of 202 from Exton / west Chester to valley forge.. I'd say your fine if you come through early or real late.. Between 7 to about 7pm you'll hate life.
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