Route avoiding NJ Turnpike (Uhaul, rental, trucks, driving)

[estiesa]

I will be driving a 16ft Penske truck with a car on a tow dolly upcoming weekend from Florida to CT. I'll take I95 all the way up north, but since I won't be allowed to drive on the NJ Turnpike, what is the best alternate route for that area?

[Ted Bear]

Why can't you drive a truck on the NJ Pike? Are you confusing it with the Garden State Parkway which is passenger cars only?


You DO NOT want to drive 95 North. Get out a map and figure out how you get over to 81 North......77, or 26.


Regardless, you will thank you lucky starts to be away from the traffic and your trip will be a LOT shorter by getting onto 81.


Depending on where you are going in Connecticut, you will take 84 across from Scranton, or cut across sooner on 78 or 80 and take the NY State Thruway up to 84 and the Tappan Zee Bridge.


Stay away from 95. It will be a nightmare you will never forget.

[reed303]

If you want to stay on 95 into NJ, the NJT does allow trucks. It has 5 classes of tolls for trucks.

However would strongly suggest you avoid 95 thru NYC and CT. Especially the GW Bridge.

Take a look at this alternate to get you into CT via the new Tappan Zee bridge.

https://goo.gl/maps/rGrAb5FbgbU2

[estiesa]

@Ted Bear I'm going to Montville, CT. And a coworker told me he got a ticket for driving a Uhaul on the NJT - but maybe he confused it with the Garden State Pkwy?

Thanks @reed303, I'll definitely take that route - once I'm across the bridge, I can probably go down back to I95 (via White Plains) to get back to I95?

I am definitely going to avoid the I95 through NJ/NY, I was already nervous just thinking about it!

[emsman]

estiesa, whatever route you take just remember to stop at the Florida/Georgia state line for the agriculture inspection. Every box type vehicle must stop, including rental trucks. They will chase you down and search the truck on the side of the interstate if you don't, could add a bit of time to your trip.

I also recommend the I-81 route, pick up I-26 West in South Carolina up to I-77 North into Virginia then pick up I-81 North all the way to Scranton, PA and take I-84 East to CT.. You'll save a ton of money on tolls and a lot of traffic headaches, especially with a car in tow.

[estiesa]

Originally Posted by emsman

estiesa, whatever route you take just remember to stop at the Florida/Georgia state line for the agriculture inspection. Every box type vehicle must stop, including rental trucks. They will chase you down and search the truck on the side of the interstate if you don't, could add a bit of time to your trip.

Good to know, thanks!

[reed303]

If you want to take the I-81/I-84 route, then use this route to get to Montville after crossing the Hudson River on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.

https://goo.gl/maps/YuiWu8xCYbt

If you want to take the NJT/Tappan Zee Bridge route, then yes you can stay on I-287 until it hits I-95. Just try to avoid the afternoon rush hour ;-)

https://goo.gl/maps/FJ5mwWtxrAp