driving to maine (Richmond, Washington, Hartford: how much, new house, live)

[elston]

I am starting to look at an Atlas while waiting for AAA to suggest a route to maine from San Diego. I want to avoid the Colorado Nebraska Illinois Indiana Ohio routes as we will start traveling 3/31 and want to avoid any late winter storms if possible. So am looking at crossing pretty much on Rt 40 from Flagstaff to Durham NC.

From there I get fuzzy but think I want to avoid rt 81 as it will go thru the appalachians and that could mean lots of snow.

I am thinking of getting on 95N to Richmond but thats is where I start to get phobic about Washington DC Baltmore and NYC.

My DP says he could do the George Washington Bridge.....


I am wondering if Star or others have suggestions for the last leg of the trip from NC to Maine.

[Elcarim]

Well, you lost me there, but that is going to be one long drive for you two! Do you know yet how many days that will be? I think your trek is longer than mine!

[elston]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

Well, you lost me there, but that is going to be one long drive for you two! Do you know yet how many days that will be? I think your trek is longer than mine!

The moving guy said it would take us 6 or 7 days. It is a heck of a long drive.

[AustinB]

If you don't like the dc area, take the Delmava peninsula. It's pretty going across the bay bridge, and with the length of the trip you are taking it doesn't add much to the trip.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by elston

The moving guy said it would take us 6 or 7 days. It is a heck of a long drive.

I did the exact same trip except in reverse several years ago, and really pushed it hard. Did it in 3 1/2 days, but about killed myself doing it. I was exhausted for 2 days afterwards. 6 or 7 would be a nice pace, and you will arrive feeling ready to take on the world (or at least your new house ).

[Zymer]

Elston- Traffic in Richmond was a nightmare the last time I made the mistake of going through there. I also avoid NYC, D.C. and Baltimore like the plague.

I always use 81 for points South/Southwest. It is slightly longer, and since they put in the new interchange to 84 it's pretty easy. Traffic is relatively light for most of the trip, except during rush hour around Scranton/Wilkes Barre PA and Hartford CT.

I would recommend that route, despite the weather. 81 to 84 to 90 to 495 to 95.

[elston]

Originally Posted by Zymer

Elston- Traffic in Richmond was a nightmare the last time I made the mistake of going through there. I also avoid NYC, D.C. and Baltimore like the plague.

I always use 81 for points South/Southwest. It is slightly longer, and since they put in the new interchange to 84 it's pretty easy. Traffic is relatively light for most of the trip, except during rush hour around Scranton/Wilkes Barre PA and Hartford CT.

I would recommend that route, despite the weather. 81 to 84 to 90 to 495 to 95.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the advice! 81 to 84 to 90 to 495 I will look on the atlas to see where those routes meet and diverge. Thanks again.

[Bewitched]

Originally Posted by elston

I am starting to look at an Atlas while waiting for AAA to suggest a route to maine from San Diego. I want to avoid the Colorado Nebraska Illinois Indiana Ohio routes as we will start traveling 3/31 and want to avoid any late winter storms if possible. So am looking at crossing pretty much on Rt 40 from Flagstaff to Durham NC.

From there I get fuzzy but think I want to avoid rt 81 as it will go thru the appalachians and that could mean lots of snow.

I am thinking of getting on 95N to Richmond but thats is where I start to get phobic about Washington DC Baltmore and NYC.

My DP says he could do the George Washington Bridge.....


I am wondering if Star or others have suggestions for the last leg of the trip from NC to Maine.

Well, I'll give you my honest opinion
I have traveled from the Carolina's and Virginia up to ME, VT and NH several times in the last ten years.

I have to honestly say I would MUCH rather take 81N instead of 95N starting from that far south...and, I would connect to 81N from 40 in Western North Carolina (somewhere around Ashville, I believe it was). In my experiences, the weather isn't that much different between I-81 and I-95 to warrant the stress of about double the traffic and wicked congestion especially from NC up through DC, Baltimore, outskirts of Philly and NYC.
My fiance used to drive that route regularly and highly suggests you do not take that route. One other factor to take into account is winter recreational traffic.
There will be skiers galore and snowmobile clubs (complete with trailers hauling snowmobiles and ATV's of all sorts, plus just the regular traffic.....all trying to crawl up I-95 first.

Personally, I would take 81N from Western North Carolina (I-40) up to just outside Scranton, then I would get on I-84W to I-87N (pretty easy, stress free drive). I would take I-87N to the Mass Pike (I-90E). The Mass pike really isn't typical "pike" travel...it actually is a quiet, easy drive. Then you could connect to I-95N in Mass, and zip up easily into Maine.

Take a look at it, it may sound daunting in words, and it isn't the quickest, most direct route per say....but it really is a MUCH easier, (exorbitantly less stressful) and relaxing drive.

[Bewitched]

Originally Posted by Zymer

Elston- Traffic in Richmond was a nightmare the last time I made the mistake of going through there. I also avoid NYC, D.C. and Baltimore like the plague.

I always use 81 for points South/Southwest. It is slightly longer, and since they put in the new interchange to 84 it's pretty easy. Traffic is relatively light for most of the trip, except during rush hour around Scranton/Wilkes Barre PA and Hartford CT.

I would recommend that route, despite the weather. 81 to 84 to 90 to 495 to 95.

Yeah, what Zymer said!..(I was typing away and didn't see his post!)

Great minds, Zymer

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Zymer

Elston- Traffic in Richmond was a nightmare the last time I made the mistake of going through there. I also avoid NYC, D.C. and Baltimore like the plague.

I always use 81 for points South/Southwest. It is slightly longer, and since they put in the new interchange to 84 it's pretty easy. Traffic is relatively light for most of the trip, except during rush hour around Scranton/Wilkes Barre PA and Hartford CT.

I would recommend that route, despite the weather. 81 to 84 to 90 to 495 to 95.

Exactly the way I go as well. Been through there in every month of the year, and have never been held up by weather. Last time I went through in mid March the weather was beautiful, no problems, no snow at all. I don't know if they have been getting slammed this year with snow like we have been or not.

elston, look up "live maps" with Google, then you can punch in your destination and starting points and it will give you either the shortest, or the fastest routes between the two. It is usually very good. I'll see if I can find the link for you. Live Local Search

Almost forgot, type out the entire name of the State not the abbreviation.