Route through New Jersey

Tcwndsr · January 15, 2016

Does anyone have a low stress, toll free route through New Jersey coming south from New England? I have tried I-287 to 206 through Princeton but ran into endless lights and traffic around Princeton. Maybe I just hit it at rush hour and wouldn't be so bad mid-day. From there I could pick up 130 to I-295 down to the Del Mem Bridge. Trying to avoid tolls and craziness on the Turnpike. Thanks.

trailertraveler · January 15, 2016

If you take I-295, that will avoid the turnpike tolls but you will still pay the toll on the Delaware Memorial Bridge or any of the other bridges(Walt Whitman or Ben Franklin) between NJ and Pennsylvania going Westbound. If you take I-95 South from US-206 there is no toll until you reach the Delaware and Maryland sections of I-95. Going through Philadelphia can be rough depending on the time of day. If you are headed further South, you can avoid the Delaware and Maryland I-95 tolls by using US-301 to South of DC or taking US-113/13 South to Norfolk, VA and then US-17 to just North of Savanah, GA.

jrzygrl64 · January 15, 2016

I am originally from NJ and spent 12 years living in southeast PA and just spent this past summer there and if avoiding stressful driving and tolls is your goal - I would consider avoiding NJ and go south through PA. I would consider getting on either Rt 80 in NJ (off the NY Thruway) or Rt 84 and go into PA. I don't know where you want to end up, but you could take Rt 33 south and pick up Rt 78 West to Rt 476 South (this is a toll but you aren't on it too long) and then stay on Rt 476 to I95 - that way you avoid most Philly traffic also (would avoid rush hours - try to hit it mid-day). Go around Wilmington to avoid the mid-city area (a lot of on/off).

Any Q's - feel free to ask.

Tcwndsr · January 15, 2016

I am heading for Richmond, VA and did consider going through PA. I do like 301 through DE, MD and VA though, sure beats 95 and toll free except for the Potomac River bridge.

jrzygrl64 · January 15, 2016

You could go further west in PA, maybe Rt 80 West to 81 South to Harrisburg and pick up 83 South and go around Baltimore on 695 then pick up I95 South then go around DC on 495 and pick I95 South

dblr · January 15, 2016

Instead of getting off at Princeton go further south on 287 and pick up 202, ( I think exit 13) there are traffic lights but it is a 4 lane road and not as bad as 206, then take 31 south to 95 from there you are about 15 minutes to Pa. It really depends on the time of day how bad this route is, we have used it both towing and in the car to go to Vt. for ski trips, plus some decent diners & fuel stops this route, good luck.

Sehc · January 15, 2016

You can't avoid all traffic, tolls, lights. I would take 295 from as soon as you can get on to get through NJ. 301 is a fun route, but also has problems with lights, traffic, and narrow bridges. It does miss DC. The best for any route is scheduling to miss prime time.

rbertalotto · January 16, 2016

Where are you coming from in NE..And where are you headed?....Rt 84 through Danbury, over the Tappenze Bridge to PA and down south from there. Nice, but a bit tight road along the Delaware Rive is beautiful. The Poconos are beautiful also . Watch out for deer anywhere in the area you will be traveling through. Rt287, Rt80, Rt81, Rt87, Rt84 are some of the highest deer/vehicle areas in the country. I try not to travel those roads at night if I can help it. Good Luck.

Tcwndsr · January 16, 2016

We are from western Mass, heading to Richmond, VA. I think I'll look into the 202 to 31 option. We also take NY 22 south to avoid most of the NY Thruway tolls. Lots of options as long as you're not in a hurry and can avoid rush hour.

Bill w/bus · January 28, 2016

Tom and Mare,

From Western Mass run south to I84, preferably on the west side of the Hudson River. Then west to PA border to US 209 then south to I 80. Five exits to PA33. Then again south to I78. West to I81. South to I64. East to to US 17. Enter I95 at Fredericksburg. South to Richmond.

I like the Eastern Shore route, US301. Easy driving without much traffic. An alternative suggestion is use I87 to I287. then exit for US202/206. Stay on 206 then transistion to NJ31. Last 6-7 miles is two lane. Exits onto I95 just before crossing the Delaware River. Run down I95 through Philly, watch for rush hour. Then before the toll booth turn onto DE 699 or 899, sign reads "TO 301". Come back onto I95 at Ruthers Glen/Carmel Church which is Exit 104 on I95.

Notes on fuel stops: on I84 Exit 1 in NY to the south is NJ, numerous stations on NJ23. While on US206 in NJ. Last is Exit 104, a lot of fuel stops there.

If the weather is bad ie possible snow then run down the Eastern Shore. Timing for traffic is critical, on the I87/287 route between the hours of 10AM to 3PM cross from junction of I87/287 to down on US301.

Either way avoids to the BALT/DC traffic mess which only bad and worse time of day.

Good Luck,

Bill

dblr · January 28, 2016

Tom and Mare,

From Western Mass run south to I84, preferably on the west side of the Hudson River. Then west to PA border to US 209 then south to I 80. Five exits to PA33. Then again south to I78. West to I81. South to I64. East to to US 17. Enter I95 at Fredericksburg. South to Richmond.

I like the Eastern Shore route, US301. Easy driving without much traffic. An alternative suggestion is use I87 to I287. then exit for US202/206. Stay on 206 then transistion to NJ31. Last 6-7 miles is two lane. Exits onto I95 just before crossing the Delaware River. Run down I95 through Philly, watch for rush hour. Then before the toll booth turn onto DE 699 or 899, sign reads "TO 301". Come back onto I95 at Ruthers Glen/Carmel Church which is Exit 104 on I95.

Notes on fuel stops: on I84 Exit 1 in NY to the south is NJ, numerous stations on NJ23. While on US206 in NJ. Last is Exit 104, a lot of fuel stops there.

If the weather is bad ie possible snow then run down the Eastern Shore. Timing for traffic is critical, on the I87/287 route between the hours of 10AM to 3PM cross from junction of I87/287 to down on US301.

Either way avoids to the BALT/DC traffic mess which only bad and worse time of day.

Good Luck,

Bill

The road number in De he is talking about off of 95 is Route 896 to 301, that is the one right before the toll booth.

Bill w/bus · February 3, 2016

The road number in De he is talking about off of 95 is Route 896 to 301, that is the one right before the toll booth.

Thanks I couldn't remember and was too lazy to get the map out from behind the drivers seat. :wub:

Bill

dblr · February 3, 2016

Thanks I couldn't remember and was too lazy to get the map out from behind the drivers seat.

Bill

I know the feeling, just got lucky as this is right in my back yard. Hate when I know the route but can not remember the numbers and people ask for help.