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Old 09-10-2018, 11:27 AM   #1
rogermack50
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North Shore Boston to Kissimmee, Florida Gas and Route Suggestions

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
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Old 09-10-2018, 12:27 PM   #2
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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.
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Old 09-10-2018, 12:33 PM   #3
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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.
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Old 09-10-2018, 02:44 PM   #4
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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...
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Old 09-10-2018, 04:20 PM   #5
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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.
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Old 09-10-2018, 04:34 PM   #6
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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.
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Old 09-10-2018, 04:45 PM   #7
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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.
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Old 09-10-2018, 05:15 PM   #8
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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!
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Old 09-11-2018, 03:55 AM   #9
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Roger, I might start here, https://thetouringcamper.com/pit-sto...ions-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.
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Old 09-11-2018, 04:54 AM   #10
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I do not understand your 23 gal fuel tank statement. GM web site says 36 gals.
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Old 09-11-2018, 09:26 AM   #11
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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...
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Old 09-11-2018, 09:38 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rogermack50 View Post
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........!
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Old 09-11-2018, 01:14 PM   #13
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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.
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Old 09-11-2018, 03:30 PM   #14
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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
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Old 09-11-2018, 05:17 PM   #15
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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.
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Old 09-12-2018, 04:30 AM   #16
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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!
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Old 09-12-2018, 07:56 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by fjr vfr View Post
. 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.
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Old 09-12-2018, 08:06 AM   #18
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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!
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Old 09-12-2018, 08:12 AM   #19
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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.
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Old 09-16-2018, 08:45 AM   #20
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There's an App for that

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.
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