Florida to new england
Apr 19th, 2012, 12:51 AM
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Florida to new england
I am planning a road RV trip in September from Tampa bay area to Bar harbor ME and back. I have 14 days to do it. I would like to see as much of the coast as possible. I am looking for suggestions on campgrounds as well as places to visit/must see.
Apr 19th, 2012, 02:02 AM
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You really don't see the "coast" from any of the interstates on that trip. You might consider coming up the coast on 17 through the Carolinas then to Virginia Beach and across the Bay Bridge, and then going up the DelMarVa to Lewes, DE and taking the ferry to Cape May NJ then up the Garden State Parkway to the Tappan Zee Bridge. This would provide some views of the coast.
There would be tolls on this route and depending on how large your RV is you would have to check on restrictions on the parkways. If it is large or very tall, do not take it on the Merritt pkwy in CT, as there are bridges that were built for smaller vehicles in the 30's and "trucks and busses" are not allowed on the road.
There would be tolls on this route and depending on how large your RV is you would have to check on restrictions on the parkways. If it is large or very tall, do not take it on the Merritt pkwy in CT, as there are bridges that were built for smaller vehicles in the 30's and "trucks and busses" are not allowed on the road.
Apr 19th, 2012, 02:53 AM
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emalloy is correct. US 17 goes from Punta Gorda, Florida, to somewhere near Washington DC. The section from Savannah, GA to Virginia Beach is very pleasant, passing through picturesque towns and small cities like Beaufort (one in SC, another in NC, pronounced differently), Charleston, Georgetown, Wilmington, New Bern and on.
The Bay Bridge-Tunnel takes one into the eastern shore of Virginia-Maryland-Delaware, a gorgeous area of indented coastline, tiny towns, peaceful farms, and delicious seafood.
I would go west of Philadelphia to avoid the I-95 corridor and come across to New England on I-84. It is hilly but attractive country. The I-95, the usual route and the coastal route in Connecticut, is a major artery for monster trucks. You join I-90 near Worcester, MA, take I-495 to bypass Boston, then I-95 about halfway up the Maine coast before you take lesser roads to Bar Harbor
You realize that in 14 days, all you will be able to do is look out the window at what you see, not really have time to visit it.
The round trip is 3200 miles, minimum, not very different to Paris to Moscow and return, and you can't do more than about 450 miles per day in an RV because your speed is restricted and you can't use certain highways (parkways). You may also find yourself restricted from certain routes if you have propane appliances. Many tunnels do not permit propane, so getting through Baltimore, for example, can be a challenge. You cant drive them into the cities, of course, should you want to see Washington, NY, or Boston on the way.
I-95, the most direct route, is one of the most heavily traveled highways in the US, so there will be traffic. You will need to go off the main highways to find campsites, and you will of course need to stop for fuel and so forth. Fuel is running about $4 a US gallon, and your rv may get 10 miles per gallon -- 320 gallons for the trip. You could fly for a lot less or rent a car one way and fly back and actually have time to see something.
The West is a great place to travel by RV, but I think a lot of people in the East drive them to a destination, park them, and essentially use them like holiday cottages most of the time.
For some people, it is the journey, not the destination. You can do it if that is how you feel. But I wouldn't consider it a vacation.
The Bay Bridge-Tunnel takes one into the eastern shore of Virginia-Maryland-Delaware, a gorgeous area of indented coastline, tiny towns, peaceful farms, and delicious seafood.
I would go west of Philadelphia to avoid the I-95 corridor and come across to New England on I-84. It is hilly but attractive country. The I-95, the usual route and the coastal route in Connecticut, is a major artery for monster trucks. You join I-90 near Worcester, MA, take I-495 to bypass Boston, then I-95 about halfway up the Maine coast before you take lesser roads to Bar Harbor
You realize that in 14 days, all you will be able to do is look out the window at what you see, not really have time to visit it.
The round trip is 3200 miles, minimum, not very different to Paris to Moscow and return, and you can't do more than about 450 miles per day in an RV because your speed is restricted and you can't use certain highways (parkways). You may also find yourself restricted from certain routes if you have propane appliances. Many tunnels do not permit propane, so getting through Baltimore, for example, can be a challenge. You cant drive them into the cities, of course, should you want to see Washington, NY, or Boston on the way.
I-95, the most direct route, is one of the most heavily traveled highways in the US, so there will be traffic. You will need to go off the main highways to find campsites, and you will of course need to stop for fuel and so forth. Fuel is running about $4 a US gallon, and your rv may get 10 miles per gallon -- 320 gallons for the trip. You could fly for a lot less or rent a car one way and fly back and actually have time to see something.
The West is a great place to travel by RV, but I think a lot of people in the East drive them to a destination, park them, and essentially use them like holiday cottages most of the time.
For some people, it is the journey, not the destination. You can do it if that is how you feel. But I wouldn't consider it a vacation.
Apr 19th, 2012, 03:58 AM
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I just did 3200 miles Boston-West Palm Beach in a car, alone. The only time I stopped more than 1 night was in WPB for 3 nights. Had fun, but the drive was brutal - and I usually have no problems with long drives.
Coastal roads in New England are rare - and generally will not accomodate an RV. While I can't help with campground advice (and don't count on being able to park in places like Walmart overnight - many local ordinances prohibit that) - I will tackle the north-of-DC part.
Starting in Baltimore, you could make it to Boston suburbs in a day. Do not take I95, even though it looks coastal - it is not. Go over Tappan Zee Bridge (be weather-aware as it often has RV/truck prohibitions in winds which could be a problem in fall) then pick up I84 to MassPike. You do not want to bring your RV into Boston so if you want to spend a night there, find someplace suburban and take public transit in.
After Boston, if you want coast, head to Gloucester/Rockport area. Then pick up I95 towards Portland, ME. A nice little city worth some time. Then onto Bar Harbor.
Still not sure how you will have time to see much with this itinerary and this amount of time.
Coastal roads in New England are rare - and generally will not accomodate an RV. While I can't help with campground advice (and don't count on being able to park in places like Walmart overnight - many local ordinances prohibit that) - I will tackle the north-of-DC part.
Starting in Baltimore, you could make it to Boston suburbs in a day. Do not take I95, even though it looks coastal - it is not. Go over Tappan Zee Bridge (be weather-aware as it often has RV/truck prohibitions in winds which could be a problem in fall) then pick up I84 to MassPike. You do not want to bring your RV into Boston so if you want to spend a night there, find someplace suburban and take public transit in.
After Boston, if you want coast, head to Gloucester/Rockport area. Then pick up I95 towards Portland, ME. A nice little city worth some time. Then onto Bar Harbor.
Still not sure how you will have time to see much with this itinerary and this amount of time.
Apr 19th, 2012, 06:06 AM
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No advice to the OP, but for others. There is an Auto Train available from Sanford, FL to Lorton, VA, (or reverse) just south of Washington D.C. If booked early they will transport the car, oversized vehicle, motorcycle for $169 one way. The fare is about $200 for 2 in a regular seats and extra $130 or so per cabin in a sleeper car. Short term bookings will probably be more expensive.
This train is their best money maker so it has the best equipment and personnel.
Every fare does includes free dinner, breakfast sit down service in a restaurant car and free wine. The sleeper cars can request service in their own rooms. The coach seats are very roomy, recline almost flat and they do provide a pillow and a blanket.
The trip takes about 18 hours, 20 or so when you consider the required check in time with the car. Some sort of vehicle is required to book for this train. Crew change stop in the middle of the night but no other local stops.
No need to do I-95 and put wear and tear on your car. Plus if you consider the overall cost, it's probably cheaper than the gas, food and overnight motel/hotel stay.
The bonus is that you are rested and relaxed when getting to your destination.
This train is their best money maker so it has the best equipment and personnel.
Every fare does includes free dinner, breakfast sit down service in a restaurant car and free wine. The sleeper cars can request service in their own rooms. The coach seats are very roomy, recline almost flat and they do provide a pillow and a blanket.
The trip takes about 18 hours, 20 or so when you consider the required check in time with the car. Some sort of vehicle is required to book for this train. Crew change stop in the middle of the night but no other local stops.
No need to do I-95 and put wear and tear on your car. Plus if you consider the overall cost, it's probably cheaper than the gas, food and overnight motel/hotel stay.
The bonus is that you are rested and relaxed when getting to your destination.
Apr 19th, 2012, 08:54 AM
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Parkways - from DC up though CT and possibly Mass DO NOT allow anything but passenger cars. Buses, trucks, RVS or a vehicle with anything in tow are not allowed. You need to take this into account in determining your route. (If you get lost and end up on one of the parkways the fine can be expensive and being trapped under one of the low stone bridges can be muchmore so. (I have seen them have to deflate the tires on a truck, unload it and then pull it out backwards - doing no good to either the wheels or the road - to get it unstuck. I beleie the fines for this start at $2000 plus costs.)
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