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freedomelite

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Hi: I am heading South from NH to Florida Keys via George Cuomo (formerly Tappanzee) bridge. On the way we are making a stop in Cape May NJ via the Garden State Parkway. I need to go from Cape May to Florida from there and I want to avoid the Baltimore and DC areas. Can someone give me their directions to avoid those areas. I don't care if it involves extra miles, I just want to avoid those areas. Thanks.
 
Check the laws but I don't think RVs (motorhomes or large trailers) are allowed on the GSP. Maybe a small trailer or van - but I'm not sure.

OK, a Google search indicates RVs are allowed (under 60 ft total combined length). There are some low clearance bridges - apparently on the break down lanes - so just watch for that.

 
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We travel a few times a year between North Carolina and Massachusetts to visit with family & friends. I avoid I95 even though it is the shortest route. Instead I take I81 to Pennsylvania then I78 or I80 to New Jersey. We cross the Cuomo bridge then usually continue on to I95 in Connecticut (and grit our teeth...). This may not help if you want to stop in New Jersey however.
 
Cape May Ferry to Delaware then down US9 to US13 and over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. South of Norfolk you have many options for getting back to I95. I've been that way with my Class A and my only complaints are that Delaware has a lot of red lights on it's highways and Virginia has a lot of revenue generation agents lurking along the roadsides.
 
Enter your start & end in Google Maps or Waze. Drag the route anywhere you want to another area; Google will reroute accordingly. Either can sent the route to your phone.
A Garmin RV or RV Life Pro will alert you to a route that has restrictions.
 
Cape May Ferry to Delaware then down US9 to US13 and over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. South of Norfolk you have many options for getting back to I95. I've been that way with my Class A and my only complaints are that Delaware has a lot of red lights on it's highways and Virginia has a lot of revenue generation agents lurking along the roadsides.
This would be my recommendation. We've done this trip with a TOAD a couple of times, We've even gone from the south side of the CBBT down along the Outer Banks and ferries back to the mainland at Cedar Island and then back over to I95 at your leisure.

You would be wise to book your Cape May to Lewes ferry trip online. The ferries at Hatteras and Ocracoke don't take appointments and their schedule are different on different days, so research and plan ahead.
 
Check the laws but I don't think RVs (motorhomes or large trailers) are allowed on the GSP. Maybe a small trailer or van - but I'm not sure.

OK, a Google search indicates RVs are allowed (under 60 ft total combined length). There are some low clearance bridges - apparently on the break down lanes - so just watch for that.

Thanks.
 
This would be my recommendation. We've done this trip with a TOAD a couple of times, We've even gone from the south side of the CBBT down along the Outer Banks and ferries back to the mainland at Cedar Island and then back over to I95 at your leisure.

You would be wise to book your Cape May to Lewes ferry trip online. The ferries at Hatteras and Ocracoke don't take appointments and their schedule are different on different days, so research and plan ahead.
Thanks.
 
With a motor home or a trailer you should not travel on any of the PARKways in New York and New Jersey. Overhead clearances will be an issue on them. Trucks are not allowed, and you might get pulled over if you are in a motor home.

I use the old analogy, "Keep it simple, stupid." (The "stupid" in this context refers to ME, not you!)
  • I-95 from New Hampshire to Philadelphia. (It's not that bad. I've done it several times.)
  • NJ 55 and 347 from Philly down to Cape May
  • Leaving Cape May: NJ 347 and 55 to US 40
  • West on US 40 back to I-95 in Wilmington, DE
  • I-95 from Wilmington all the way to Miami, Florida
  • US1 from Miami to Key West
  • Done.
 
With a motor home or a trailer you should not travel on any of the PARKways in New York and New Jersey. Overhead clearances will be an issue on them. Trucks are not allowed, and you might get pulled over if you are in a motor home.
Well, that's not what the folks in the thread I linked above say.
 
I travel the GSP from the northernmost point at I 87 in NY south to exit 63 in NJ with my Class C at 11'8" clearance with no problem. There are several off lanes under arched bridges at about 12+ feet. Smooth sailing in middle lanes. There are several narrow lanes with construction barriers.
 
Well, that's not what the folks in the thread I linked above say.
Eric, you seem to take issue with everything I post. Whatever...

I've driven the various parkways in New York and Jersey in my car and I'm telling you that the overhead clearances on those parkways are not high enough to clear a motorhome or a tall trailer.
 
Eric, you seem to take issue with everything I post. Whatever...

I've driven the various parkways in New York and Jersey in my car and I'm telling you that the overhead clearances on those parkways are not high enough to clear a motorhome or a tall trailer.
Sorry, don't take it personally. I don't check to see who posted what, I just try to give useful & correct answers. When I'm wrong I'm happy to be corrected. see reply #2

I agree that some (many) of the NY/NJ "Parkways" are ill advised &/or illegal for RVs. I was answering the question specific to the Garden State Parkway. RVs are allowed on the GSP. As noted some of the bridge clearances on the sides of the road (aka breakdown lanes) are low. also noted in reply #2
 
Thanks very much
With a motor home or a trailer you should not travel on any of the PARKways in New York and New Jersey. Overhead clearances will be an issue on them. Trucks are not allowed, and you might get pulled over if you are in a motor home.

I use the old analogy, "Keep it simple, stupid." (The "stupid" in this context refers to ME, not you!)
  • I-95 from New Hampshire to Philadelphia. (It's not that bad. I've done it several times.)
  • NJ 55 and 347 from Philly down to Cape May
  • Leaving Cape May: NJ 347 and 55 to US 40
  • West on US 40 back to I-95 in Wilmington, DE
  • I-95 from Wilmington all the way to Miami, Florida
  • US1 from Miami to Key West
  • Done.
.
I travel the GSP from the northernmost point at I 87 in NY south to exit 63 in NJ with my Class C at 11'8" clearance with no problem. There are several off lanes under arched bridges at about 12+ feet. Smooth sailing in middle lanes. There are several narrow lanes with construction barriers.
Thanks.
Sorry, don't take it personally. I don't check to see who posted what, I just try to give useful & correct answers. When I'm wrong I'm happy to be corrected. see reply #2

I agree that some (many) of the NY/NJ "Parkways" are ill advised &/or illegal for RVs. I was answering the question specific to the Garden State Parkway. RVs are allowed on the GSP. As noted some of the bridge clearances on the sides of the road (aka breakdown lanes) are low. also noted in reply #2
According to the NJ state highway dept who finally emailed me rvs are ok on the GSP.
 
This would be my recommendation. We've done this trip with a TOAD a couple of times, We've even gone from the south side of the CBBT down along the Outer Banks and ferries back to the mainland at Cedar Island and then back over to I95 at your leisure.

You would be wise to book your Cape May to Lewes ferry trip online. The ferries at Hatteras and Ocracoke don't take appointments and their schedule are different on different days, so research and plan ahead.
Propane is allowed in the CBBT?
 
Cape May Lewes Ferry to Chesapeake Bridge in Tunnel to Norfolk. Go west on 58 to Emporia Va. that is where you pick up I95 south. I live in Cape May and do this every time. Nice ride. It’s a little confusing in Norfolk. Make sure you follow I64 east that will take you down and through Norfolk. There is a tunnel in Norfolk to go through which will then get you to 58.

I’ve read through some of the replys. There is no problem taking a Motorhome or trailer on the garden state parkway, again living in cape May I’ve gone north all the way to the end .
 
Cape May Lewes Ferry to Chesapeake Bridge in Tunnel to Norfolk. Go west on 58 to Emporia Va. that is where you pick up I95 south. I live in Cape May and do this every time. Nice ride. It’s a little confusing in Norfolk. Make sure you follow I64 east that will take you down and through Norfolk. There is a tunnel in Norfolk to go through which will then get you to 58.

I’ve read through some of the replys. There is no problem taking a Motorhome or trailer on the garden state parkway, again living in cape May I’ve gone north all the way to the end .
There's no tunnel between CBBT and 58 if you just take I64 towards Chesapeake and bypass downtown Norfolk.
 
No mater how you go south, key west is rocking!!
 

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