gravnov Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Hello from Germany, me and my wife are looking forward to a trip through New England in the upcoming weeks on a rented RV. Our pick-up station is located in Middletown, NJ and the destination for the first day is Wildwood SP on the northern shore of Long Island. Google maps directed me on parkways, which are limited-access roads and not suitable for RVs (ours is a 30 ft. Class C/ height - 11`2"). Which route would you recommend to get from Middletown, NJ to Wildwood SP, NY? Thank you for your comments. Ernest and Rosie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velos Posted September 14, 2015 Report Share Posted September 14, 2015 Welcome to the US. We have not been to New Jersey but we went full time in 2001 and traveled to many areas we had not been before and were told about the "Truckers Atlas" aka "Motor Carriers Atlas" http://www.amazon.com/Rand-Mcnally-Motor-Carriers-Atlas/dp/0528013211/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442236685&sr=1-1&keywords=truckers+atlas Detailed coverage of state and national designated routes Updated restricted routes, low clearance, and weigh station locations 21-page mileage directory including more than 40,000 truck-route-specific, city-to-city mileage Road construction and conditions hotlines Updated coverage of hazardous materials regulations Easy-to-use chart of state and provincial permit agency phone numbers and websites It is only $15 for the paperback version. Since we full time we buy the Spiral Bound Laminated Version at a Truck Stop (ie Flying J, Pilot, Loves etc) for about $30 and it augments our GPS. You can use a dry erase marker on the laminated pages and erase when done. The large print version is also an option. We travel the main roads for peace of mind to safely get to our destination then drive the toad for sight seeing. No two people have the same comfort levels driving a large vehicle so this approach may not be what you are looking for but the atlas will give you very helpful low clearances information. We have seen several RV's that were too tall and the bridge won. Safe Travels, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted September 15, 2015 Report Share Posted September 15, 2015 I live on Long Island. You MUST take I-495 (Long Island Expressway) the whole way. Do NOT get on anything that says Parkway! Overpasses as low a 7' on some. There is also a park "Battle Row Campground" in the middle of the Island and another on Long Beach "Nickerson Beach Park". "Smith Point Park" also has RV parking right on the south shore beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted September 15, 2015 Report Share Posted September 15, 2015 You will take 440 (Outer Bridge Crossing) to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to 278 Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (with stunning view of Manhattan ie: NYC) to 495. Please consider time of day as rush hours are brutal. Just enjoy the ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gell Posted September 15, 2015 Report Share Posted September 15, 2015 I think you will want reservations for Wildwood, as it is a high demand campground. Last I knew they were made through Reserve America and went really fast after they come available. Jim On edit, I was thinking of Hither Hills SP, out in Montauk on the ocean. Wildwood is on the sound and may not be as high in demand, but I would still make reservations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted September 15, 2015 Report Share Posted September 15, 2015 After Labor day it's usually a lot easier, but Cathy & Jim are absolutely correct that you should call ahead as soon as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravnov Posted September 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 JM, this definitely won`t be our last trip through the United States. Buying the book, you recommended seems to be a good idea. Stekay, i will strictly follow your suggestions. Browsing the internet, i have seen pictures of trucks, which got stucked...wow...these low-clearance bridges can work like can openers!! Cathy&Jim, we have made reservations on almost every campground, where we will stay. Our route will lead us from Long Island to Connecticut by ferry. Next stops are Newport, Cape Cod, Boston and Acadia NP. Then we will head westward to Laconia,NH, where we want to rent a Harley-Davidson to ride the Kancamagus Highway. The next campground is located in the Adirondacks for some canoeing or hiking and then -of course- the Niagara Falls. From there, we have to return to New Jersey, to drop off the RV. Then another bike tour (two days along the Hudson River Valley and through the Catskills). Before we fly back to Europe, we will spend some days in New York City. Please feel free to comment on this route. I`ve done my homework, but certainly there are some additional handy tips. Thank you Ernest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 One recommendation to your route. I would suggest you look at Letchworth State Park on your way from the Adirondacks to Niagara Falls. It's called the Grand canyon of the East and I don't think you'd want to miss it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photoadjuster Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 I live on Long Island. You MUST take I-495 (Long Island Expressway) the whole way. Do NOT get on anything that says Parkway! Overpasses as low a 7' on some. There is also a park "Battle Row Campground" in the middle of the Island and another on Long Beach "Nickerson Beach Park". "Smith Point Park" also has RV parking right on the south shore beach. You will take 440 (Outer Bridge Crossing) to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to 278 Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (with stunning view of Manhattan ie: NYC) to 495. Please consider time of day as rush hours are brutal. Just enjoy the ride Double check your height. On 278, shortly after crossing the V-Narrows Bridge, the inside lane of 278 has a low clearance area that is only 12'2". Plan on staying at the Battle Row Campground because all of the other parks will be full or closed or something. Long Island is not RV friendly. You can not overnight in any parking lot. If you need work done on the RV or the best pizza around, trying the town of Wading River. I live in Texas but worked Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Irene on Long Island, so my memory maybe off a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gell Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Letchworth SP is a gem for sure. Another NYS Park that could be on your route from Niagara Falls to NYC, is Watkins Glen. Plan a couple hours to walk up the gorge for best viewing and take taxi or shuttle bus back down. If I had to pick one NYS Park to visit it would be Watkins Glen, then Robert H. Treman in Ithaca, and my third choice would be Letchworth. And yes you want to see Niagara for sure. I think the Canadian side has the best views. The Maid of the Mist boat ride to base of Falls provides a worthwhile perspective. It's been a while since I have been in the Adirondacks, but there used to be a nice museum in Blue Mountain Lake. I was a NYS Park Manager for 32 years before retirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Lake Durant Campground is very picturesque just south of Blue Mountain Lake. I used to have a cabin on Maple Lodge Road just south of the Museum. You can run into Indian Lake for a 75 cent movie and there's a small grocery store there, but I always stock up in North Creek before landing in the park. All are on rt. 28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravnov Posted September 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2015 Thank you again for your comments, which will make our trip safer and more interesting. On Thursday we will fly into Newark...Woohoo!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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