won't be long now

[garycorbett]

we will be heading down to our winter home in Florida - Venice - after Christmas. Ford F250 HD and V20 in tow. I think we can get around Boston, New York, Washington and Penn by taking the 84 and 81 instead of 95. Get back on 95 in Virginia. It will be at a higher altitude maybe 2000 ft - could be bad weather, snow. We will try for a window of good weather. Anyone got any ideas. I should think that 84 - 81 should not make the trip too much longer?? In my mind 95 too much traffic and too dangerous and chance of robbery. Will look for small motels where we can park the outfit where it is less likely ripped off.

[charlie_the_tuna]

sure i got an idea. stop on the island on the way and pick me up.

[msbhammer]

Dont Know of 81 or 84. Always figured 95 to be the straight shot to FL.

[bigshrimpin]

Gary - That's a tough life you got there. Nova Scotia in the Summer and Venice Florida in the winter. 84 isn't bad just slows down around Hartford, Waterbury, Danbury during rush hours. I've never driven 81, but it looks like you're driving way out of the way.

I think 91 to 84 to 87 then pickup Garden state PWY, NJ Turnpike, Then 95s. Call E-ZPass before your trip and ask them about towing/tolls. 95 isn't too bad around DC b/w 10am and 3pm and after 9pm. Once you're around the beltway . . . You're home free till Waldo or Ocala (if you like 301). . . maybe a little snag in Richmond.

I've done that drive too many times. If you can get south of Virginia the first day . . . hotels are much less expensive and waffle house is at every exit. ;)

[bigshrimpin]

If you want a more sceneic route . . . look into route 896/301 from Wilmington to annapolis, MD.

[reelapeelin]

...and comin' thru SC on 95 from Florence to Savannah, watch out for large deer and wild turkey ... ;D ;D ;D ...

As far as the heavy traffic areas you mention, is there a possibility of runnin' those at night?...


Be careful, have fun and post us up some pix from FL... ;) ...

[thestook]

Hey Gary, BigShrimpin's got it right. I moved from the Danbury CT area down here and 84 binds up right around there. Once through though it's smooth sailing all the way down.

I agree, take 95 S straight... simplifies the trip and there are areas that are more than safe for overnights.

Once in Daytona we took 4 over to 75 and then south to Sarasota.

Enjoy the trip neighbor!

[msbhammer]

896 and 301 are good roads, drivers on the belt way are wicked. I have drivers on my bumper when I'm doing 65. I hate the belt way.

[Airslot]

Hammer, if your doin' 65 on the beltway your just holdin up the show. I don't mind driving the beltway at all, but I hat towing on the same beltway.

On topic, once south of DC, 95 is easy driving.

Airslot, traveling the beltway tonight...

[Blue_Runner]

I have drivers on my bumper when I'm doing 65. I hate the belt way.
In your cruiser?

[msbhammer]

No cruiser. Was down south near REEL in Paulys Island S.C. on vacation. Came home using the belt way. Its a mad house on the belt way.

[lumberslinger178]

Gary - That's a tough life you got there. *Nova Scotia in the Summer and Venice Florida in the winter. * *84 isn't bad just slows down around *Hartford, Waterbury, Danbury during rush hours. *I've never driven 81, but it looks like you're driving way out of the way. *

I think 91 to 84 to 87 then pickup Garden state PWY, NJ Turnpike, Then 95s. *Call E-ZPass before your trip and ask them about towing/tolls. *95 isn't too bad around DC b/w 10am and 3pm and after 9pm. *Once you're around the beltway . . . You're home free till Waldo or Ocala (if you like 301). . . maybe a little snag in Richmond. *

I've done that drive too many times. *If you can get south of Virginia the first day . . . hotels are much less expensive and waffle house is at every exit. *;) * *



please pick me up I can see the garden state parkway from my front yard ::)

[lumberslinger178]

Oh the we can take capemay lewes ferry I think hammer will be waitin :o

[msbhammer]

Bags are packed, will be waiting for ya at the ferry. ;D

[Franco]

Let me how many of you are stopping by so I get enough donuts!

[rhahn427]

If you can take 95 late and avoid rush hours...... straight shot ....... the 301 route is scenic but long .... lots of lights and be careful of cops in VA ....... several small towns with famous speed traps. I think the 85 81 routs ate mountainous with a lot of truck traffic ...... use to take that thru Va and NC........ it's also scenic but longer I think.

[reelapeelin]

Once ya get to SC on 95, follow it til ya get to GA...then follow 95 thru GA and BOOM...you're in FL :o ...

[Seacrets]

95 to Daytona, I4 to 75. In Florida we're not setup to steal a 20' steplift. Show up with a 35' Contender and it could be gone in the morning.

[LESTERUS]

OH,NO!@!!! MORE SNOWBIRDS!!!!!

ANYHOW, WELCOME TO FLORIDA!!!!!

LESTERUS

[garycorbett]

I believe around Hartford is baddddddddddd - any way to get around that problem? I am going to stay off the 95 as much as possible til Virginia.

[bassarama]

Gary

I'm also plotting atrip to NC for Monday 12-11. I'm taking off from New Milford Ct and plan on staying on 95 for as long as I can.

Hopefully I'll be towing a V20 back to CT ;) I promise to take pics...

Hartford can be a pain on the arse, but it might be a shorter route (miles wise).

You mentioned some sort of dangerous places on the road, can you be specific please?

[garycorbett]

I' m planning - 95 to Mass - 90 to 84 - 84 to NY 684 - 684 to White Plains NY - 287 to 78 - 78 to 81 - 81 to VA 66 east - 66 to 15/29 - 15/29 to Va 95 - 95 to FL !

[reelapeelin]

In SC...when ya go over I-26...look to the right...that'll be me MOONIN' ya :o ... ;) ;D ...

[bassarama]

Gary

I went down NC this past Sunday night to get my boat. I drove by Danbury Ct at 9:45 pm West on 84, got 684, and 287 to Garden State and New Jersey t-Pike, got on 95 south and made it to Goldsboro NC in 9.5 hours with a couple of stops for gas and other, it's really the fastest way and no traffic at night..., if you plan on going by DC durring rush hours, plan on staying stuck for long time, even Delaware memorial bridge has some construction going on. Southbound was worse for some reason. Good luck

[garycorbett]

My wife won't let me drive at night specially with a boat in tow. And she gets tired and cranky after about 8 pm if we are on a long trip so it will be daylight all the way and we will go way around DC. I am looking for safe motels to stay in and park boat outside???

[bigshrimpin]

IF you go 84 to 87 to Garden State (it a little longer) but . . . you'll avoid the Tapanzee Bridge and the 684/287 craziness. ;)

[LESTERUS]

GARY:

I thougth you were here already, ALONG WITH 20 MILLION CANADIANS!!!!!

LESTERUS

[garycorbett]

Na , after New Years; ya gotta be home new years! Hoping the weather holds up - it is mild up here. nice. Plus - lotta stuff to pack. MERRY CHRISTMAS

[reelapeelin]

I guess I could look it up, but then what's a forum for??...where's Venice ? ... I know FL fairly well, but can't picture where?...

[garycorbett]

Im between (will be ) Sarasota and Ft Myers

[reelapeelin]

Im between (will be ) Sarasota and Ft Myers


Got it!!...nice area down there...good V20 opportunities all over ...aren't Sannilbelle and Captiva around there somewhere?...off Ft Meyers?...

[garycorbett]

Probably start out tomorrow - be in Boston area Thurs; Scranton on Fri; Roanoke on Sat and so on. Friend says - avoid Hartford, Danbury stretch - go up to Albany on the turnpike to go aroundit?????????????????????????/

[macojoe]

You are going to be right on CB's door step Thursday!!

Cape Cod is about 1 hr 15 min from there.

Have a nice trip!