North Shore Boston to Kissimmee, Florida Gas and Route Suggestions

[rogermack50]

As stated in title I will be driving our 2019 36' 2019 Keystone Avalanche 5th Wheel hooked up to my 2018 "Gas" Chevy 2500HD Work-truck to Florida before the snow hits, so probably around Veterans day. It will be my 3rd trip in the RV but both trips earlier were within 150 miles thus I could fill my tanks before hooking up etc. So I am extremely nervous about taking her nearly 1500 miles. I don't think there are truck stops on the highways all the way so I probably will have to pull off at some point several times. I figure I will have to stop every 3 hours or less for gas as I have a 23 gallon tank...I imagine 1000's of RVer's have made this trip and stopped for gas successfully while pulling such a large RV, so I am planning my route, worried about getting gas on the highway in Conn... then getting through NY to the NJ Turnpike and beyond...When going to a Rest Stop/Truck-stop you just go to the Truck side and get in line etc? Do people just stay in the Right Lane the whole trip? etc, etc..Like I stated I am really nervous about this and trying to calm down and plan ahead of time...
Mac

[JRTJH]

The only difference in towing 100 miles and towing 10,000 miles is the "hours in the seat"... The same rules apply, the same uncertainty about what's around the curve, the same "idiots" darting in front of you, the same DW sitting next to you, the same GPS telling you to get off at the next exit when you "KNOW" it's two exits, the same limited turn-arounds in gas stations... About the only difference is the physical address you'll see on the street signs.

Relax, make your plans, don't stress and you'll be fine. As for where to buy gas, a "personal tip" is be flexible. You may plan to follow a strict refueling agenda based on what you find on Google and what you think will be "easy in/easy out" stations. Then you get to that exit, find that gas is 70 cents cheaper at the station across the road from your "preplanned stop"... What to do??? WHAT TO DO???? My suggestion, save the money if you don't see any reasons not to use the "newly found savings".... That suggestion goes as well for places to eat, places to stop for the evening, places to pull over for a pit stop.....

You're in no "greater danger" on the long trip than you've already experienced, just more "hours of driving" ahead of you. Stay alert, pay attention and enjoy the trip.

[travelin texans]

You WILL NOT be able to pull into the truck lanes at any truck stop, they DO NOT have gasoline in those lanes!!!! Your best option, if connected, is the rv islands at Flying Js & some Pilots. If pulling into a station & have to block 2 or 3 pumps to fuel up, DON'T sweat it, those waiting can wait til you're done or go somewhere else.
I try to stay in the right lane as much as possible, but if going through big cities I get into the middle lane, it's usually not slowing anyone down, if so there's a lane on either side they can go around & not constantly merging on or exiting off right in front of me. It's not so much your driving you need to concerned about, but all those other idiots that have to be one more car ahead of where they are even if they have to use 3 or 4 lanes to get there.

[rogermack50]

Thank you Danny and Linda; All good advice but I was shocked to hear No Gas at the Truck lanes; but of course that would make sense...There are plenty of 24' Straight jobs etc using Gas, how do they fill up with gas around the country especially now that they build stations at a slant to fit more people/cars into more pumps. That presents a new wrinkle I wasn't prepared for....Anyway I know 1000's of RVers use the same route that I will take mostly RT95 all the way so I hope some will tell me where they get their's...

[fjr vfr]

Add a Pilot/Flying J app to your smart phone. Only 23 gal tank I'd carry a 5 gal gas can in the truck bed for insurance.
We occasionally make the trip up your way and we avoid NY city and 95 like the plague when towing. We usually take Mass pike to I84 and catch I81 till I64 in VA and over to I95 Richmond. Take I295 around Richmond. It's longer, but a lot less stressful.

South of Richmond I95 is not bad. Relax you'll be fine.

[Dhuhn]

Another thing is be mindful of how tall the awnings are at gas pumps make sure your RV is able to go under it, you don’t want to take out the awning or damage your RV.

[SummitPond]

RogerMack

It may sound crazy, but we avoid I-95 like the plague when possible. Traffic through the DC area, NYC area and Richmond, VA area can be volatile. When we travel to/from FL to ME we stick inland. It may be another 100+ miles longer (I calculated it once but have since forgotten it) but the time saved from avoiding the identified areas more than makes up for it.

From ME we take I-95 to I-495 (which you are apparently right off of) to I-90. From there we take I-84. There's no way to avoid the mess in CT, but sticking to the east when given the option and taking I-91 to I-691 back to I-84 cuts out some of the nonsense.

You could then take I-84 to I-81 to I-77 to I-95 and on into FL. There is one short distance on I-77 as you leave VA and enter NC where you'll want to put it in low gear; otherwise the climbs/drops are quite manageable through the mountains.

There are plenty of truck stops along any of the interstates, so no matter which route you take you should be fine. You might want to go to Flying J/Pilot's web site and note where their stations are located.

Safe travels.

[Badbart56]

I-95 from Richmond, Va. was not a problem when I left there last Tuesday. I'm sure north of there would be a headache though. And nothing in the way of hills to speak of. No tolls either. Have fun!

[notanlines]

Roger, I might start here, https://thetouringcamper.com/pit-stops-rv-friendly-gas-stations-services/ and check out how many are along my route. Further, I would travel with one, maybe two good quality fuel cans in the bed of my pickup. Much comfort is to be had travelling with 75 miles of extra fuel on board.

[Snoking]

I do not understand your 23 gal fuel tank statement. GM web site says 36 gals.

[rogermack50]

Snoking, I think your right, my dealer had told me 23 Gallons...but like you state every spec that I can find states 36 gallons on the 2018 2500HD's...I just thought everytime I fill up the fuel gauge is around 3/8 of a tank and 22 gallons to fill it...so I have been running for Gas... 36 gallons is quite the game changer for me pulling a RV, instead of worrying every 200 miles or so or every 2 or 3 hours looking for a place to fill up, I could go maybe 300 miles or 4 or 5 hours, enough to use major Interstate Truck Stops....I just filled up today, but i am going to drive it until I am near empty next time and test to ease my worrisome mind. Thank You for giving me a slap....I needed it...

[travelin texans]

Snoking, I think your right, my dealer had told me 23 Gallons...but like you state every spec that I can find states 36 gallons on the 2018 2500HD's...I just thought everytime I fill up the fuel gauge is around 3/8 of a tank and 22 gallons to fill it...so I have been running for Gas... 36 gallons is quite the game changer for me pulling a RV, instead of worrying every 200 miles or so or every 2 or 3 hours looking for a place to fill up, I could go maybe 300 miles or 4 or 5 hours, enough to use major Interstate Truck Stops....I just filled up today, but i am going to drive it until I am near empty next time and test to ease my worrisome mind. Thank You for giving me a slap....I needed it...

The 1st sentence said all! If the dealers lips are moving........!

[SteveF]

Hi Roger, I understand your concerns about refueling locations, distance and the stress of pulling the beast. In addition to local trips in and around PA and the northeast (we are heading to Boothbay, Maine this coming weekend) we also travel to Fort Myers, Florida each year. In my experience, I am more stressed-out preparing and anticipating the trip than the actual driving experience. My first time I had all my fuel stops planned out as I wasn't sure what would be available when I needed diesel so I gave myself what I thought was a good mileage cushion for planned stops. Turns out there were many more locations than I originally thought. My wife is my navigator so I tell her when I'm thinking of refueling and she starts checking out suitable locations to refuel as we drive. That really helps take off the stress. Also, I take a extra fuel cans for my piece of mind. Have never needed it, but.

We alternate our trip down and back on either I-81 to I-77 to I-26 South of Columbia to I-95... or I-81 to I-64 to I-295 loop around Richmond to I-95. Depending on the time of day and the day, eg weekend, my experiences in and around Charlotte on I-77 (or the I-485 western beltway around the city) have been the worst part of the trip. Four skinny lanes, crazy drivers, stoppages for accidents and add a little rain and it is just plain nuts. Also, it may just be me but I would avoid I-95 between Boston and DC at all cost! Not sure what your travel time constraints may be we used to make one overnight stop in South Carolina but now we make it a two night trip and take in the local sights at various campgrounds.

[rogermack50]

SteveF,
What a great time to visit Boothbay....It is truly a beautiful area. Its been a very Hot, Rainy, Humid summer but things are starting to calm down back to normal...Its going to be in the 70's during the day and down to the 50's at nite....but you probably already know that...What RV place are you going to, I have only gone to Danforth Bay on Lake Ossippee, NH and Peters Pond in Sandwich, Cape Cod, very nice resorts, though the one down the Cape was a bear to back in to,
Let me know how your trip goes as i am looking for a seasonal in Maine or NH for APR-Oct...2019
this is my first Summer owning a 5th wheel or any Rv and at 67 I'm feeling like Robin Williams in RV..it has been anything but easy...I almost bought a Class A but couldn't figure out the Car thing, the cost of Class A, Car, Trailer etc....pushed me to the 5th wheel and I do love thr 2500 Truck...
I'm calming down a bit especially since finding a extra 13 gallons of gas due to me thinking i only had a 23 gallon tank vs the actual 36 gallons, again I am not planning on leaving until around Veterans Day. So looking for a friend or brother to make the drive with me. My wife would if she could but she's a Real Estate person here and worried of being in the middle of something. Plus she hasn't driven it yet, I prefer having the 2nd driver for such a long trip. It is around 20 hours in a car, usually 2-10 hour days but RV will be slower and longer, I'd still like to do it in 2 but doubt it will happen with day light getting shorter,
I know Rt's 84 and 81 having driven home from Nashville before owning the
rv, but never heard of either RT 64 or Rt 77....I've done RT 95 all the way most of the time before the RV...So it will be interesting checking out a new RT...
Roger

[fjr vfr]

Another problem with I95 is the tolls. You would be paying much more pulling your 5th wheel compared to a car. You have 2 more axles to pay for. I64 in VA over to 295 around Richmond normally has light traffic. You join into 95 on the other side of Richmond. I95 after Richmond is Much better than north of Richmond.


You should get the ALLSTAYS APP for your phone. They have one just for finding a Walmart for overnight parking. The Flying J/Pilot APP will find all their truck stops along the way. You can also look for Casinos along the way. They are great places for an overnight stay. All have free overnight parking.

[SteveF]

Roger, we are camping at Shore Hills Campground and RV Park in Boothbay. Our first time there so we really don't know what to expect. Will let you know how our experience turns out. Hey, I'm with you at 66, will be 67 in a couple months...

My wife won't drive the truck/5er, but I love to drive so that's okay. Hope you get a companion to travel with... that really helps with the trip. I think your windshield time will be a good bit more than what you can do in a car but you are already anticipating that - maybe 3 to 4 hours longer depending on traffic. Have a safe trip!

[travelin texans]

. You can also look for Casinos along the way. They are great places for an overnight stay. All have free overnight parking.

There are lots of casinos, but not ALL are free, they're usually cheap, but not all are free. You can go in, get their card, earn a few points by playing & may get a free night. Unless you're just using the parking lot like at Wal-Mart.
Walmarts are free! IF you have a generator, if you're going this time of year you'll still need air conditioning.

[flybouy]

Hi Roger, I understand your concerns about refueling locations, distance and the stress of pulling the beast. In addition to local trips in and around PA and the northeast (we are heading to Boothbay, Maine this coming weekend) we also travel to Fort Myers, Florida each year. In my experience, I am more stressed-out preparing and anticipating the trip than the actual driving experience. My first time I had all my fuel stops planned out as I wasn't sure what would be available when I needed diesel so I gave myself what I thought was a good mileage cushion for planned stops. Turns out there were many more locations than I originally thought. My wife is my navigator so I tell her when I'm thinking of refueling and she starts checking out suitable locations to refuel as we drive. That really helps take off the stress. Also, I take a extra fuel cans for my piece of mind. Have never needed it, but.

We alternate our trip down and back on either I-81 to I-77 to I-26 South of Columbia to I-95... or I-81 to I-64 to I-295 loop around Richmond to I-95. Depending on the time of day and the day, eg weekend, my experiences in and around Charlotte on I-77 (or the I-485 western beltway around the city) have been the worst part of the trip. Four skinny lanes, crazy drivers, stoppages for accidents and add a little rain and it is just plain nuts. Also, it may just be me but I would avoid I-95 between Boston and DC at all cost! Not sure what your travel time constraints may be we used to make one overnight stop in South Carolina but now we make it a two night trip and take in the local sights at various campgrounds.

When DW and I were dating her aunt and uncle lived in Boothbay Harbour. They were on the end of the footbridge above the American Legion hall. We would walk down to the lobster dock and they would steam fresh right off the boat and it was cheap. That's all long since gone but the memories are still fresh!

[flybouy]

As stated in title I will be driving our 2019 36' 2019 Keystone Avalanche 5th Wheel hooked up to my 2018 "Gas" Chevy 2500HD Work-truck to Florida before the snow hits, so probably around Veterans day. It will be my 3rd trip in the RV but both trips earlier were within 150 miles thus I could fill my tanks before hooking up etc. So I am extremely nervous about taking her nearly 1500 miles. I don't think there are truck stops on the highways all the way so I probably will have to pull off at some point several times. I figure I will have to stop every 3 hours or less for gas as I have a 23 gallon tank...I imagine 1000's of RVer's have made this trip and stopped for gas successfully while pulling such a large RV, so I am planning my route, worried about getting gas on the highway in Conn... then getting through NY to the NJ Turnpike and beyond...When going to a Rest Stop/Truck-stop you just go to the Truck side and get in line etc? Do people just stay in the Right Lane the whole trip? etc, etc..Like I stated I am really nervous about this and trying to calm down and plan ahead of time...
Mac
I know Veterans Day is almost 2 months away but given the looks of hurricane Flow and the lateness of the season then you may want to check on the stops in the effected areas for what's still there and open.

[dsttexas]

Well not really an app in terms smart phones, but a website best for larger screen laptops and tablets. Rvtripwizard.com has all campgrounds, all truck stops, and ways to create a route planning miles between fuel stops and layovers. The most complete tool available.

[larryflew]

Note that Walmarts are very RV friendly but many cities now have ordinances against using their lots for overnight parking and all will have signs stating that if not allowed.

[rogermack50]

dstexas, Thanks for the reply...I have looked at the Rvtripwizard. com site and first I am wary of spending $40 on a program that won't even let you try it first. I went thru the demo and did not see any more features than Goodsam.com trip planner or any other like RVroutes etc..Then what I am seeing is a failure of these programs is I know the Routes I want to go but none of them let you just type in Route 495 to Route 90 to Route 84 to Route 81 to Route 64 to Route 95, then show the gas etc on the way etc, all of them state enter the City or Zipcode then you enter the nearest City and it has you running all over the place off of the interstate. Because all interstate route changes may not be directly near a city, town etc...Just a real failure, if they just let you type in the interstate is all I want, then show me miles, gas, campsites instead of drag here or there only to find they want you to run circles off of the interstate. etc....So Thank you for the suggestion but it doesn't work for my particular needs....So far really disappointed with the route programs..
Mac

[raptor300mpfamily]

I second this suggestion. I95 corridor from Boston to Richmond VA is a mess and I don’t think there’s as many fuel facilities that will meet your needs. Going 81 may add miles but may also save you time and will definitely save you aggravation.

I travel NY to FL often. I try to never get below a 1/4 tank before fueling. You need some flexibility to scope gas stations from the outside, maybe having to get back on the highway and go to another, and you need to be able to idle in traffic for an hour or two at an accident. I wouldn’t pull into any gas stations you can’t see a way to pull through from the road. My first choice is Love’s (cleaner) then flying J truck stops. First Flying J in north VA on 81 always has cheapest gas / diesel of the trip.

RogerMack

It may sound crazy, but we avoid I-95 like the plague when possible. Traffic through the DC area, NYC area and Richmond, VA area can be volatile. When we travel to/from FL to ME we stick inland. It may be another 100+ miles longer (I calculated it once but have since forgotten it) but the time saved from avoiding the identified areas more than makes up for it.

From ME we take I-95 to I-495 (which you are apparently right off of) to I-90. From there we take I-84. There's no way to avoid the mess in CT, but sticking to the east when given the option and taking I-91 to I-691 back to I-84 cuts out some of the nonsense.

You could then take I-84 to I-81 to I-77 to I-95 and on into FL. There is one short distance on I-77 as you leave VA and enter NC where you'll want to put it in low gear; otherwise the climbs/drops are quite manageable through the mountains.

There are plenty of truck stops along any of the interstates, so no matter which route you take you should be fine. You might want to go to Flying J/Pilot's web site and note where their stations are located.

Safe travels.

[CBaisley]

If you stick with the 95 route, in Jersey the rest stops are hit and miss. Always go in the car side if you need gas, about 50% have truck parking after you fill up, sometimes for the ones that don't, you can find a wide enough shoulder to take a bio break. There is one rest stop (maybe walt witman) about 20-30 miles before the Delaware memorial bridge that def has truck parking after the pumps if you can plan for it, that's my regular stop.

If you don't have a RV GPS, I would use something like the Good Sam trip planner to map out your route so you know hazard and restrictions. When you get to Baltimore, just about every car GPS will take you through one of the tunnels because they are most direct, but you can't go through them with your 30lb bottles of propane. I think the restriction is 1lb or something very low.

Good luck and safe travels.

[KCAD]

FYI - 95 South in many parts of NC are closed from Florence, could be a week or longer is what they're saying here in NC. I've seen the suggestions of 81 to 77 and highly agree. Being originally from Boston and traveling to see family we always take 29n through Charlottesville up to 64 then up to 81, then 84 across conn and then the mass pike to Boston. Going to Fl I take 85 south to 77 to 29 to 95. I stay off of 95 when possible.

[notanlines]

vehicles carrying bottled propane gas in excess of 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). The Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695, the Baltimore Beltway) is a convenient alternative route for crossing Baltimore's Harbor.

[GlennB724]

There are lots of casinos, but not ALL are free, they're usually cheap, but not all are free. You can go in, get their card, earn a few points by playing & may get a free night. Unless you're just using the parking lot like at Wal-Mart.
Walmarts are free! IF you have a generator, if you're going this time of year you'll still need air conditioning.

MANY Walmarts no longer permit overnight parking of RV's. Call to check before counting on one as a stop for the night. Also, I wouldn't carry extra gas in cans unless it was absolutely necessary, like maybe in some of the western states with LONG gaps between service stations. Gas in a can is a bomb, and where you're going you can't swing a cat by the tail without hitting a gas station.

[notanlines]

Glenn, I'm afraid your scare tactics don't hold water. The gas can subject has been covered here extensively.
This article might help you take a different slant on your opinion.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/my-gas-can-safe-flna2D11693927
There are right ways and wrong ways to tote gasoline/diesel fuel in the bed of a truck. I suggest following the correct/safe way if the need to bring spare gasoline arises.

[Bamabox]

We made our longest trip in our 2nd year RV (Cougar21RBS) from CT to Florence SC, then on to Hilton Head in July. 84 to Scranton, 81 to 64, then over to 95. Best guess about 85 miles longer than 95 through NY, Philly, DC and Balt. So figure 90 extra minutes, or an hour and a half longer. If you think your can make it through all that mess and not spend an hour and a half in traffic............go for it and God be with you. Yes, we travelled mid week (retired), but I would do that again and again. Zero traffic. Easy driving. Lots of trucks on 81, but I will drive amongst them anytime. Pros vs NY & NJ maniacs.

[harris71]

We travel from South Carolina to Cape Ann in Massachusetts every summer. We started with the I-95, Jersey Turnpike, etc. Tolls are outrageous (over $100 a few years ago). We now take a longer, but less stressful route. Going South: 495 to Mass Pike to NY, take 87 south (avoids Hartford and the horrendous roads in Danbury. Tolls were under $20. Then pick up 84 west in Newburgh NY, to 81 South in Scranton PA. Take 81 to 66 East (Middletown VA) to 17 south, which will bring you to 95 in Fredricksburg VA. Take the 295 loop around Richmond as others have said. then i-95 to Florida is an easy ride; pretty flat. There are Pilots and Flying J's along the way. Many Flying J's have RV lanes, but I've also used the autodiesel pumps (outside lane) if the RV lane wasn't open. There are numerous campgrounds along the way. We're still working at balancing the timing, trying to limit it to 5 hours/300 miles of driving per day. The only stress on the 84/81 route is there are a lot of truckers, but at least they know how to drive. There are no height clearance concerns on this route also.