new york to Mrytle Beach

[Raptor 18]

Good evening everyone. We are planning our spring break trip to Myrtle Beach in April. Looking for some travel advice. I am thinking to leave around 4 am on Sat. We are in Dutchess County NY. I figure we do not want to rush so looking for a decent place off 95 to spend the night with our toy hauler. I think we will drive to the afternoon on Saturday spend the evening and finish off a few hours on Sun morning. I read a few things about different routes etc. Looking at Maps and reading traffic reports etc. I am planning on 95 all the way down. I am thinking if I leave at 4 am I should get past Washington early enough to avoid the heaviest traffic. Any advice on travel time and a decent campground to stay would be great. Thank you

[DWBinRI]

Remember that you can't go through the tunnel in Baltimore because of the propane tanks. You have to go across the Key Bridge.

[Raptor 18]

Ok so does that take me off 95 I was thinking 95 all the way

[CaptnJohn]

I travel from 40 minutes north of Myrtle to NW PA often. I-95 north of the NC / VA border sux nearly every hour of every day. Thankfully I found a better route long ago. One Sunday after visiting my brother in the hospital I took 95. Figured everyone would be at church or grandmas for dinner- huge mistake.

[tacoma238ml]

Americamps near Ashland Va Is a good overnight stop its a decent place about 2 hrs south of Washington DC right of 95 exit 89 just before Richmond Va puts you about 5-6 hrs from Mrytle Beach check it out and they also serve breakfast most mornings . We stayed last summer, very clean, price is ok

[Raptor 18]

great thank you I will look into Americamps

[Old Mustanger]

Remember that you can't go through the tunnel in Baltimore because of the propane tanks. You have to go across the Key Bridge.

Don't know why you would have to take either one to go to Myrtle Beach, no reason to go to the eastern shore of MD. :)

[Old Mustanger]

Carolina Crossroads RV Park in Roanoke Rapids NC (just over the VA/NC line) just off of I95, is a good place for a one night stop. They have 13 pull thru overnight sights that you just leave the money in an envelope ($35 if I remember correctly) if you get there after the office is closed and they have the cleanest showers we have ever seen. If that's not too far for a 1 day drive for you I recommend it. ;)

[Raptor 18]

Ok we are booked at Crossroads for a rest day while traveling. Does anyone know what the realistic best route I should take coming from New York to Myrtle I know I have to avoid tunnels etc. I am hearing many different ways so not sure what the best really is. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

[CaptnJohn]

If you are West and are close to I-79 there is a much better way. Never need to see 95.

[maccam1]

Cherry hill campground 0in college park md,is a very nice campground,just on the other side of dc

[bfam5]

+1 for Cherry Hill. Pricey, but awesome facilities.

[ChrisSemperFi]

Here is what I do. 84 west- 87 south- 287 south in Sloathsbury to 78-81-83-581-15-270-495 then back on 95. Its a little longer and seems your getting on and off highways and routes but I hate Cross Bronx or 87 south of Yonkers. Plus that route takes you around D.C. I've gone both ways and it's less stress full. I live near Brewster and my brother in law lives in hopewell. We run together and that's the way we go to ocean lakes in myrtle beach. Safe travels.

[Raptor 18]

So wondering what the best RV GPS to purchase would be. I am looking for something that will account for the tunnel restrictions/propane etc. Lots of reviews sat the Garmin but some also sat the McNallay covers the propane etc.

[CaptnJohn]

I have been happy with a Garmin.

[ChrisSemperFi]

So wondering what the best RV GPS to purchase would be. I am looking for something that will account for the tunnel restrictions/propane etc. Lots of reviews sat the Garmin but some also sat the McNallay covers the propane etc.

I have the Rand 7120 with lifetime updates. It ok just sometimes doesn't keep up and I have missed an exit a time or 2. I am ordering the Furrion (furrion.com) in dash GPS and entertainment radio. This radio is what is being installed in Class A and Super C coaches. hope this help. safe travels.

[Old Mustanger]

I have been very happy with a Garmin, kept me out of trouble going to and from a park in Memphis (actually Horn Lake, MS) where the straight shot had low clearances.

[rjniles]

I travel from the MB area to Connecticut several times a year. My best route is

87 to 287

287 to 78

78 to 81

81 to 66 (just west of Winchester VA

66 to 17

17 to 95 at Fredrickberg VA

85 to 295 (Bypass Richmond

295 to 95 to South Carolina

No tunnels and few tolls. Tolls will eat you up on 95 thru NJ, Del, MD and VA

[Bamabox]

I travel from the MB area to Connecticut several times a year. My best route is

87 to 287

287 to 78

78 to 81

81 to 66 (just west of Winchester VA

66 to 17

17 to 95 at Fredrickberg VA

85 to 295 (Bypass Richmond

295 to 95 to South Carolina

No tunnels and few tolls. Tolls will eat you up on 95 thru NJ, Del, MD and VA

What’s that stretch of 17 like? Fairly long stretch.

[rjniles]

What’s that stretch of 17 like? Fairly long stretch.About 40 miles but it is all 4 lane with few lights. You can average 50 easily.

Had a typo in my route directions.
It is 17 to 95 at Fredricksberg.

[jimborokz]

I travel from the MB area to Connecticut several times a year. My best route is

87 to 287

287 to 78

78 to 81

81 to 66 (just west of Winchester VA

66 to 17

17 to 95 at Fredrickberg VA

85 to 295 (Bypass Richmond

295 to 95 to South Carolina

No tunnels and few tolls. Tolls will eat you up on 95 thru NJ, Del, MD and VA
There is not a time when traffic less than horrible in DC.

We travel from upstate NY to Charleston SC, two hours down the coast. Done it many times.
We generally use this route with the exception we go I64 to Richmond and I95 from there.

Have made stops at Walnut Hills in VA, Raleigh Oaks in NC along 95, and Carolina Crossroads in NC just below the VA line. All good places.

[NHcamper]

Remember that you can't go through the tunnel in Baltimore because of the propane tanks. You have to go across the Key Bridge.
If you are talking about the Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel you can use it as long as your propane tanks are shut off. Done that many times.

[DWBinRI]

If you are talking about the Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel you can use it as long as your propane tanks are shut off. Done that many times.

The 2 tunnels in Baltimore do not let you travel with propane onboard

[skmct]

Carolina Crossroads RV Park in Roanoke Rapids NC (just over the VA/NC line) just off of I95, is a good place for a one night stop. They have 13 pull thru overnight sights that you just leave the money in an envelope ($35 if I remember correctly) if you get there after the office is closed and they have the cleanest showers we have ever seen. If that's not too far for a 1 day drive for you I recommend it. ;)

I second Carolina crossroads it has become our standard stop when coming and going from south FL to new england.

[skmct]

As far as that mess in DC and Alexandera we go around 81 to 66 to 17 it brings you out to 95 about 40 miles north of Richmond .

[skmct]

We don't do that 4 am crap anymore once after getting up at 3am to be on the road by 4 .there was an accident and we still ended up in the traffic in Dc& Alexandria. We now go around its a little longer but a much better ride. We take 84 w to 81 to 66 e to 17 s . It brings you back to 95 in Fredericksburg just n of Richmond,we also take the bypass around Richmond be stuck on 95 it Richmond also . Done the FL to ft trip about 30 times or more sometimes as many as 4 times a year.

[banker]

Hi, We have done all of the above routes traveling between Somers NY and Calabash NC, 30 minutes above Myrtle Beach, Rt 84 to 81, The longer you stay on Rt 81 the better, rt 64 off Rt 81 is our best shot. Have done it about 40 times,safe travels

[akupesky]

Another vote for Americamps in Ashland, Va. Right next to Basspro & Camping World if you need anything.

[rjniles]

Hi, We have done all of the above routes traveling between Somers NY and Calabash NC, 30 minutes above Myrtle Beach, Rt 84 to 81, The longer you stay on Rt 81 the better, rt 64 off Rt 81 is our best shot. Have done it about 40 times,safe travelsHave to disagree with staying on 81 all the way down to 64. Using Mapquest to route from Middletown VA ( Middletown is where Rt 66 connects to 81) to Richmond.

81/66/17/95. 136 milles, 2 hr 16 min.

81/64 185 miles. 2 hr 51 min.

I have tried both routes and the times Mapquest estimates are very close.

[jimborokz]

Have to disagree with staying on 81 all the way down to 64. Using Mapquest to route from Middletown VA ( Middletown is where Rt 66 connects to 81) to Richmond.

81/66/17/95. 136 milles, 2 hr 16 min.

81/64 185 miles. 2 hr 51 min.

I have tried both routes and the times Mapquest estimates are very close.


I agree with times for 66/64. We do 64 because we stop at Wallnut Hills RV for overnight and it's right where 64 and 81 connect. I only do 250 mi/day due to back/sciatica issues. When just traveling by car we will do 66/81.

[Raptor 18]

that route sounds good I assume I can grab a Map and identify the different interstates, highways etc. Is the signage good in that respect

[cookinwitdiesel]

Just a note, I go from Northern VA to MB every year for last 5 years (staying in a resort in MB, no trailer) and the last hour+ once I get off 95 (around Dillon?) is pretty crappy country roads. That is the way google maps usually has routed me. Last year I think we did 95-40-17 going by Wilmington and that was pretty smooth and easy. Seemed like it could be trailer friendly as well. As noted, 95 north of Fredericksburg is not a terribly pleasant experience from a traffic standpoint.

Now that I do have the trailer, we will see how much mileage we continue to get from the timeshare, may just unload it and stick to the TT going forward :)

[hammer045]

Good evening everyone. We are planning our spring break trip to Myrtle Beach in April. Looking for some travel advice. I am thinking to leave around 4 am on Sat. We are in Dutchess County NY. I figure we do not want to rush so looking for a decent place off 95 to spend the night with our toy hauler. I think we will drive to the afternoon on Saturday spend the evening and finish off a few hours on Sun morning. I read a few things about different routes etc. Looking at Maps and reading traffic reports etc. I am planning on 95 all the way down. I am thinking if I leave at 4 am I should get past Washington early enough to avoid the heaviest traffic. Any advice on travel time and a decent campground to stay would be great. Thank you
Sorry for the late response to your question, but we put up with travelling south on 95 from NYC quite often. It is not pleasant and parts of it north and south of DC are just terrible. The best route around the Baltimore tunnels is the "Key Bridge", its the eastern bypass for I95, I695 and it brings you back to 95 south of Baltimore. I haven't found any good ways around DC. Hope this got to you before your trip

[cookinwitdiesel]

You can go south on the del/Mar/VA peninsula and bypass northern Virginia and DC but then you are pretty far east of where you need to be and going through VA Beach (more tunnels).

[hammer045]

A pretty ride, a bit expensive on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, and quite a few miles east of I95 when all is said a done. The tough run around or through DC is still the most direct.

[CAMPNDAD]

Where are you staying in Myrtle Beach? We are leaving in the morning and headed back to VA from Lakewood campground in Myrtle. We love it here. Very clean and the people are awesome.

[Raptor 18]

Ok getting ready for our run down south this Friday night I think. I am still undecided on the best route. Leaving from Newburgh NY someone suggested I take 87 south -287w-78w -81s-66e-us 17s -95 rest of the way. Other say 95 straight just go for it and than the eastern shore of MD route. Anyone else with some current input would be great thank you to all for your help

[ChrisSemperFi]

Raptor I am also leaving Friday for florida around 330. Running 84 to 87 ect.ect.ect. we always run that because of major deegan, njtp, DC inner loop. Only 27 miles longer and 45 minutes longer. Twice that in traffic.

[Raptor 18]

Thank you for the quick response. So you recommend this route. This is our first time traveling that far with myself kids wife dog etc. Wife is very nervous about it all. I plan on leaving around 3/330 as well. I know there are probably some big hills etc but if this is the best route and you have done a few times I am sure its my best solution for the first time. I am sure that route has places to stop and rest as good as 95 I will assume

[ChrisSemperFi]

I live near Brewster and Brother in law is near taconic. I would rather go that way than 684. No refraf. If you want PM me and we can exchange number and you can run with us. Safe travels.

[jimborokz]

Ok getting ready for our run down south this Friday night I think. I am still undecided on the best route. Leaving from Newburgh NY someone suggested I take 87 south -287w-78w -81s-66e-us 17s -95 rest of the way. Other say 95 straight just go for it and than the eastern shore of MD route. Anyone else with some current input would be great thank you to all for your help
IMHO, I'd stick with your plan A only because I hate going anywhere near DC. Once you deal with the 24-7 DC traffic and the tunnel issues the 81 Rt will likely be faster.