[dreamlaw310]

I'm moving from CT to NY this weekend - I live right by Merritt and that's usually my route to NY (Queens) when I visit. I take Merritt (Route 15) then to Hutchinson Parkway, then I take the Whitestone bridge.

Can I drive my u-haul truck on the Merritt? It's the smallest truck (not the van kind) available from u-haul.

[jjbradleynyc]

I don't believe you can. It's a parkway, and commercial vehicles are prohibited. I've seen the occasional commercial vehicle on the parkway, but they are QUICK to pull them over.

[kidyankee764]

No you cannot. I have seen larger UHaul trucks that have hit overpasses. It's not a pretty sight.

I believe the largest vehicle you can drive is a passenger van.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Legally, no.

The odds that a state trooper will pull you over, slim to none.

I've seen many troopers pass right by people towing their boats for cryin out loud. I'd have to speculate that the troopers get confused sometimes as to which road they are traveling on at the moment(I-95/Rt.15).

[JViello]

No and you'll get pinched. Don't believe for a second you won't.

The limit is:

No commercial plates.

GVW under 7500lbs.

Height under I believe 8.5 feet.

My work truck even on combo plates does not meet the weight limit so I can't go on there. (Even though I don't carry that much weight they go by the manufacturer sticker inside the door) I know because I got pulled over on my third SHORT trip of two exits.

Even if you wouldn't get caught, please don't chance wrecking what can be considered something of a historic landmark...the bridges and parkway, which are not designed for tall trucks.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by JViello

No and you'll get pinched. Don't believe for a second you won't.

I know because I got pulled over on my third SHORT trip of two exits.

Was it on the Merritt portion? Or was it the Wilbur portion?

I've been commuting 55 miles R/T on the Merritt for 15 years and i've only seen a handfull of large box trucks(Appliance/Furniture delivery) get pulled over.

I know that the signage is there at each entrance that lists what's prohibited from 15, but with the exception of tractor-trailers, everything else seems to be open to interpretation. How else do you explain all of the small school buses that travel daily on 15? Or the H1 Hummers that i saw frequently in their heyday? Or the private landscaping trucks that i see on a regular basis?

[yoondds]

you will get pulled over very quickly. i'm pretty certain they have sensors along the road which can tell how tall the vehicle is. i've seen a dozen trucks pulled over for this. probably more pulled over than actually driving.

[bmwguydc]

No to both the Merritt and if you somehow get past that without getting stopped, you have the Hutchinson with which to contend in New York, which also prohibits commercial vehicles. I wouldn't risk it, and it doesn't matter as to the relative small size of the truck. I have been stuck waiting to receive deliveries at times from places that use vans similar in size to a Ford Econoline, which is smaller than a U-Haul, that could not use the parkways, even though the parkways are easier to get to the house, because of the prohibition.

[goldenband]

I know people who have been pulled over for this exact issue (U-Haul and everything). Definitely NOT advisable.

[JayCT]

The following was taken from ConnDOT's web site:

What is allowed to travel on the Merritt Parkway?

The following are prohibited from entry upon and use of the highway right-of-way of those limited access state highways designated as parkways:

(a) commercial motor vehicles;

(b) trailers;

(c) all towed vehicles except as provided in
Section 14-298-240;

(d) buses;

(e) hearses when part of a procession or cortege;

(f) vehicles bearing other than passenger, camper, taxicab, vanpool or hearse registrations and those vehicles bearing combination registrations which have a gross weight in excess of seventy-five hundred pounds;

(g) vehicles whose dimensions, including any load, exceed one of the following:

length – twenty-four feet
width - seven feet, six inches
height – eight feet

Permits for entry upon and use of the parkways by vehicles normally excluded therefrom may be issued by the commission when, in its opinion, the interests of public necessity are served thereby. Such permits shall be in writing and shall specify the period of validity of such permit, the parkway or portion thereof and the identity of the vehicle concerned. A copy of the permit shall be carried in the vehicle. Apply for a permit
I would say that they are not allowed so I would not chance it. Jay