K_and_I
North Central Ohio
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We plan to go from Northern Ohio to CT (just a little NE of Hartford) in a few weeks. Google maps shows a 20 minute difference between the northern route through NY or the southern route through PA. Has anyone driven either or both of these roads recently to advise as to their condition? We plan to pull our 26' tt. I know there are tolls through NY, but sometimes it's worth that if the PA road is bad enough. Gas buddy shows the fuel cost is basically the same either route.
TIA
K_and_I
2011 Rockwood 2604
Nights Camped in 2019: 85
Do we have time for shortcuts?
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Matt_Colie
Southeast Michigan
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OK K,
You don't tell us where you are starting, but you want to stay clear of NYC at all cost.
I-80 was rough as hell the last time we drove it, but it you run it to I-81 and take that to Scranton then you can run I-84 to Hartford. No tolls except the bridge.
Be sure to check the toll rates before even considering the NYTW. They see you coming and they love it.
If you want a nice ride, the southern tier is nice. That takes you a bit out of the way.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dogs (one dear dog is waiting for us at the bridge) going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.
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K_and_I
North Central Ohio
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Matt, thanks for responding. Google maps actually does take 81 to 84 and in. We have taken that in the past (several years ago and found it to be rough enough to make the I-90 tolls through NY worthwhile. But it's been a few years since we've taken I-90 as well, and I wondered if it has deteriorated since. We are kind of in the middle of nowhere, but think Ashland, OH for a starting point. When you say southern tier, are you thinking I-76? That has tolls as well. Which ever decision I end up making, it will be the wrong one, I'm sure. I just thought I'd hedge my bets with other people's recent experiences.
Thanks again.
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Bob806
Ohio
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I'd go with I-80 or I-86 (southern tier). The Thruway in NY is total extortion even for a passenger car.
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K_and_I
North Central Ohio
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Bob806 wrote:I'd go with I-80 or I-86 (southern tier). The Thruway in NY is total extortion even for a passenger car.
Yikes- I checked their webpage for toll cost- over $120. I-80 is looking better all the time.
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cbshoestring
Penn Hills. PA
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I-90 is actually the better ride. A lot less truck traffic. Truckers avoid the tolls and stay on I-80 when it splits in Ohio. Plus the road tends to be in better shape (probably because of less traffic).
I have not been on 90 in the past couple months. I got roped into a Scranton run last week... 80 in PA has numerous single lane construction zones that back up. NOTHING NEW.
I avoid the east coast. So I can't say what is being destructed beyond Scranton.
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K_and_I
North Central Ohio
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cbshoestring wrote:I-90 is actually the better ride. A lot less truck traffic. Truckers avoid the tolls and stay on I-80 when it splits in Ohio. Plus the road tends to be in better shape (probably because of less traffic).
I have not been on 90 in the past couple months. I got roped into a Scranton run last week... 80 in PA has numerous single lane construction zones that back up. NOTHING NEW.
I avoid the east coast. So I can't say what is being destructed beyond Scranton.
Is I-90 worth the $120 plus (for 4 axles) over I-80?
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mdcamping
CT
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I80,Pa to I287 to I684 to I84 I take once per year, worse part of the trip is I84 in western CT. Lots of construction in Western Ct combined with heavy commuting from NY. (watch for the cutting cars) It's still doable but gets worse every year.
as mentioned I90 thru NY and MA is a much easier commute plus easy on/off service plazas
Mike
2022 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost 4X4 Supercrew GCWR 19,500 157WB
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2017 Jayco Jay Flight 24RBS
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afidel
Cleveland
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77 to 70 to 79 to 68 to 81 to 84, we did basically the reverse of that when coming home from NYC to NE Ohio a few years ago and it was a very pleasant drive and I was able to fill up in WV avoiding the high gas taxes in PA, you'd probably need to add a fill-up in Maryland as well unless you've got a really big tank.
2019 Dutchman Kodiak 293RLSL
2015 GMC 1500 Sierra 4x4 5.3 3.42 full bed
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K_and_I
North Central Ohio
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mdcamping wrote:I80,Pa to I287 to I684 to I84 I take once per year, worse part of the trip is I84 in western CT. Lots of construction in Western Ct combined with heavy commuting from NY. (watch for the cutting cars) It's still doable but gets worse every year.
as mentioned I90 thru NY and MA is a much easier commute plus easy on/off service plazas
Mike
Too close to NYC for my taste, but thanks.
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