advice please route NH to VA avoiding cities

[defboater]

This will be our first journey in our new to us 32' fifth wheel. We'll be leaving NH heading toward Route 66 at Fort Royal, VA then onto our destination for the month. We need to avoid all cities. A suggested route from the Good Sam site, a member, is 84 to Newburgh, NY, 87 to Sufferin, NY, onto Rte 287 W south to 78 west to 81 West to 66. From our limited use of Google maps this seems a good route for newbies.

 

We are nervous about our first trip and would appreciate any input and advice. We are hoping to drive 3 hours or less between stops at a quiet CG maybe walking distance to restaurants or sights to see. We are planning on taking our time and hoping to learn! Thank you all for your advice, experience and suggestions.

[gfstryder]

Take 84 to Scranton, PA. In Scranton take 81 all the way to 66. This takes you through some smaller cities such as Hartford, Scranton, Harrisburg, etc., but if you time it to avoid rush hour you should not have any problems.

[Jim Gell]

KittyCat,

 

If your objective is to make the trip as easy as you can in terms of traffic, fewer lanes you would need to cross to get to your exit, and the number of turns you could miss and then end up where you didn't want to be, etc, I think you should take the route George suggested.

 

BTW- I find the initial directions in your post a bit confusing. National Interstates, that are even numbers run east and west. Odd numbers run north and south. For example Interstate 81 may run east/west in certain locations, but overall it goes north/south and that is how the highway signs will be labeled. I think the 3 digit Interstates are typically beltways circling a city, or alternate bypass routes, and can't always follow these rules. I would not want you to be looking for a sign for I 81 West and not take exit for I 81 South when you came to it.

 

Jim

[docj]

I think the 3 digit Interstates are typically beltways circling a city, or alternate bypass routes, and can't always follow these rules.

 

FWIW, I believe 3-digit interstates starting with an even number are beltways, bypasses, or portions thereof. Those beginning with odd numbers are "spurs".

[BoA36]

Either route would not be a problem. I have done most of your original route though not all the way to 66 and it was fine. The only newbie issue will be the Newburgh bridge if it is still under construction but even that is ok. If you feel the need to slow down on it, then do so. Don't be intimidated by the people behind you, do what you need to do. This actually applies to any construction area or other potential obstacles.

 

BoA36

[defboater]

KittyCat,

 

If your objective is to make the trip as easy as you can in terms of traffic, fewer lanes you would need to cross to get to your exit, and the number of turns you could miss and then end up where you didn't want to be, etc, I think you should take the route George suggested.

 

BTW- I find the initial directions in your post a bit confusing. National Interstates, that are even numbers run east and west. Odd numbers run north and south. For example Interstate 81 may run east/west in certain locations, but overall it goes north/south and that is how the highway signs will be labeled. I think the 3 digit Interstates are typically beltways circling a city, or alternate bypass routes, and can't always follow these rules. I would not want you to be looking for a sign for I 81 West and not take exit for I 81 South when you came to it.

 

Jim

 

 

So thankful for this advice! Exactly what we are looking for!

 

A bit of traffic does not intimidate us, but it is good to know from experienced RVers that 84 thru Hartford won't be as bad as we originally thought.

[defboater]

Either route would not be a problem. I have done most of your original route though not all the way to 66 and it was fine. The only newbie issue will be the Newburgh bridge if it is still under construction but even that is ok. If you feel the need to slow down on it, then do so. Don't be intimidated by the people behind you, do what you need to do. This actually applies to any construction area or other potential obstacles.

 

BoA36

 

 

Appreciate the advice, thanks!

[defboater]

Thanks, George, that is exactly what we are looking for.

 

Does that go anywhere near the Hershey museum? We are thinking as we have never been in PA we should go and visit.

 

Many thanks for your suggestions and help.

[Jim Gell]

Hershey is about 10 miles east of Harrisburg which both proposed routes pass through.

 

Jim

[Bill w/bus]

I will add the following:

Avoid Hartford by using I 91, follow signs to Charter Oak Bridge to I 691 and then back onto I 84 east of Waterbury, CT. Adds a couple of miles but a much easier drive. Hartrford enjoys several left lane exits and entrances. Oh joy.

 

The uphill pull into Scranton and the hills south can be avoided by exiting onto US 209. First exit in PA. Routing as follows - US 209 to I 80 maybe five exits to PA 33 to I 78. Follow I 78 to I 81. Avoid Saturday and Sunday during the day for the flea market just north of Stroudsburg. I have almost never driven through Scranton without a traffic tie up of some sort. This is regardless of time of day or day of week.

 

I 81 to I 66 will be medium traffic all the way. It is a major truck route. But there are much fewer idiots on this road.

 

Be aware that the last exit in NY on I84, exit 1 is almost in NJ. So turn off westbound then left. And again left at the light. NJ and less expensive fuel is just ahead for the next 1/2 mile on both sides of NJ 23. Next cheapest fuel is VA. Verify prices on GasBuddy.com

 

Enjoy your trip,

 

Bill