Best route from MA to FL

JoanneL · 12-10-2013, 01:24 PM

Thanks for the help in advance:

Leaving Massachusetts December 17 to Florida, wanting to avoid Wash DC area. Options include

-Garden State, NJ Turnpike, Delaware Memorial Bridge – then exit to route 1, and take 13, 301, and Chesapeake Bay Bridge, back to 95 and then on to Florida )any motorhome issues such as clearance?)

-84 to 81 to 66 to 17 to 95
-84 to 81 to 64 to 95
-84 to 81 to 77 to 95

Concerned about weather, mountains, clearance (12 foot 1 inch motorhome).

mrtodds · 12-10-2013, 01:37 PM

That's one way to go...I think you mean Chesapeake bay bridge/tunnel though. It's slow going along 17 and it puts you right in Norfolk...very slow to get to 95. I would strongly suggest you take 81, 64, and 77 and plug into 95 in South Carolina though. The Interstates all the way down that way are less crowded and you can maintain your speed. You will encounter a few grades at a few places but it's nothing really, Very scenic and as far as time goes although it's slightly more distance you'll win out. I'm in Maryland...we leave for the Keys in ten days.....come on with this damn snow already!!

campnqueen · 12-10-2013, 01:37 PM

GO SOUTH!! REALLY FAST!!

mrtodds · 12-10-2013, 01:44 PM

Just wanted to add something Joanne......The route I suggested puts you in the clear by the time you hit 95 on it. From Richmond all the way to Boston is "hell"...and filled with tolls. It cost me $165.00 in tolls from Maryland to Saugerties New York last year....1 way! Came back faster on 81 instead! OH!!!! These roads are smooth as well.....95 is terrible in places till you get past Richmond.

Bryan2503S · 12-10-2013, 02:03 PM

I-84 West/South to
I-81 South to
I-77 South to
I-26 South to
I-95 South to Florida

All Interstate, No NYC, No Philly, No Balt, No Was, No Richmond. AHHH so nice!

JoanneL · 12-10-2013, 03:24 PM

Thank you everyone. This is all very helpful. My husband is nervous as is - our first motorhome - so taking the better route is on his mind.

greenliner · 12-10-2013, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan2503S

I-84 West/South to
I-81 South to
I-77 South to
I-26 South to
I-95 South to Florida

All Interstate, No NYC, No Philly, No Balt, No Was, No Richmond. AHHH so nice!

x2 on that. Also has some good stopping off points along the way.

King Yankee · 12-10-2013, 05:23 PM

Please JoanneL, take the route Bryan2503S recommends. I travel this route 4 times a year and love this way. We leave Dec 28 with stops around Lexington Va, Columbia SC and Tampa Fl and checkin to CG Dec 31st. Tell Hubby to relax, take your time and enjoy the trip. If you have any questions about this route please ask. Good Luck.

mrtodds · 12-10-2013, 06:09 PM

Hey! Mrtodds suggested that first! waaaaa! lol
Honestly Joanne,
Your going to have a great time, just relax and enjoy the scenery! This is the best route without a doubt!! The time you'll save and the things you'll see and do going "around" the Northeast corridor is amazing......enjoy!

King Yankee · 12-10-2013, 06:45 PM

OH, if you have android apps, download "LOW CLEARANCE LOCATOR"

King Yankee · 12-10-2013, 06:49 PM

sorry mrtodds but you recommended taking 64, we don't. just another way around and as you said beautiful scenery.

JoanneL · 12-10-2013, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Yankee

OH, if you have android apps, download "LOW CLEARANCE LOCATOR"

great and thank you for the advice

King Yankee · 12-10-2013, 07:20 PM

your welcome, thats why we're all on here

rattleNsmoke · 12-10-2013, 08:42 PM

All those routes as far as I know are fine. Rte 17 just south of Richmond turns into a busy 2 lane road with lots of lights and businesses. I've taken it several times to avoid traffic.

CZNEDY · 12-10-2013, 09:21 PM

I like Brian's suggested route. I also like my suggestion:

JETBLUE

RKC02 · 12-11-2013, 08:27 PM

We're heading for Florida early January from NJ. I like the route laid out using 81 - 77 - 26 - 95 but was concerned using 81 that far down because of the hills and potential weather problems. I95 was recommended as the flattest route, but we are going to avoid Baltimore and Washington at all costs. Was planning on using 81 to 64 (runs into Richmond 295 loop). We've done this before and while really busy around Richmond, not too awful. Doesn't Route 81 south of route 64 gets kind of mountainous? Just worried about icing. Would be a much nicer ride.

Bryan2503S · 12-11-2013, 08:53 PM

81 runs thru the valley beside the mountain range. Its not bad at all but no it is definitely not as flat or straight as 95. I think the steep grades that people talk about on 81 are further south, in the Smoky Mountains, You would get off on 77 before that. 77 is a little hilly for a stretch until you come down into Charlotte, but again, not too bad. After that, flat.

One area to watch out for in December on the 81 route is between Scranton and Hazleton PA. Some mountains to deal with and they get a lot small sudden snow storms that dump just enough snow to make the roads icy.

As far as weather goes. Odds of bad road conditions are the same either route in my opinion.

95 is definitely the faster route but if your willing to sacrifice an hour or 2 at the most for a lot less stress, 81 is better I think.

rracer5 · 12-11-2013, 11:02 PM

X2 on the I81 in PA. Pick a nice weather day to be in that area. When you get through that and need to stop, get off exit 9 (second exit south of the PA line) in Maryland, turn left, go about 1/2 mile, get fuel at Sheetz and stop in to see me at the Auto Zone across the street (we have a big parking lot) to say hello and get supplies for the MH.

RKC02 · 01-01-2014, 09:07 PM

We're now stopping by to visit friends in Troy, VA which is west of Richmond on Route 64. From there heading to I95 south. My question is for the best route choice to hit 95. Choices are 64 straight to 95; 64 to 288 to 95; or 64 to 295 to 95. I did 295 once before around Richmond which was busy and lengthy but otherwise not too bad. Just wondering if either of the other routes are better? Plan now is to hit this area on a Sunday but with the weather, who knows.

slipf18 · 01-01-2014, 09:51 PM

Please be aware of our new Florida Statute, taking effect as of January 1, 2014: Florida Code 714.86/ "...in order for any person intent upon visiting Florida during the period 01/01/2014 thru 04/31/2014 to be granted admission, they must first show proof of having willingly spent a period of at least one full, sweltering week in Florida (excluding Disney World and its confines) during the months of July and August. No exceptions. ..."

From what I understand, you'll be required to show all appropriate travel documents and permits, plus photo ID at the Welcome Centers just south of the state line as you cross.

As a native Floridian, I must say, I don't know why you folks would want to come here in the first place! ...the weather is always "iffy", there's very little to do, most of our long time residents are unfriendly towards strangers, all beaches are now off limits due to the recent rash of deadly shark attacks, the mosquito population has recently acquired handguns (thanks, in part, to our entirely corrupt state legislature) and the local cuisine really stinks. Sooooo, I mean,... don't you think you might want to reconsider undertaking such a long, arduous journey? Boston, Chicago, Ann Arbor, Fargo...they all sound like lovely places at this time of year...why leave?

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