B
BOKRIJDER
Guest
Many will be traveling north on Interstate 95. I'll give some tips which I've learned living in the area. In addition, I often travel to Lake George and can offer a couple of variations for the trip north.
Approaching Baltimore, one has the choice of three possible routes crossing the city, two tunnels and one bridge.
The two tunnel choices are the I95 or the I895 "Inner Harbor Tunnel" Both suffer the universal weaknesses of tunnels; rush hour congestion, the possibility of a minor accident causing a major delay, and the chance that road crews may close lanes on any particular day.
Many times, I choose I695, the Frances Scott Key Bridge option. This route is about 5 miles longer but skirts the city of Baltimore on the Chesapeake Bay side. The traffic is normally light and one enjoys a beautiful view of the Baltimore Inner Harbor while crossing the span. There are stretches crossing marshy areas where one can see miles ahead. -Hint- As an added bonus I695 rejoins I95 north beyond most city congestion.
Traveling north on I95, one next crosses the Susquehanna River bridge. At this point, the river is emptying into the Chesapeake Bay, nice view. Traveling further north, one will pass Exit 100 route 272. I'll come back to this later.
Moving towards Wilmington, DE, one must pay a toll. Unfortunately, the section ahead is quite congested.
Remember, if one is continuing north on I95, which is collocated with the New Jersey Turnpike, follow Rt 295 and cross the Delaware River, then straight ahead immediately onto the NJ Turnpike. No problem if you miss the exit as I95 eventually joins the Turnpike, but you now must suffer the congestion of Philadelphia.
The New Jersey Turnpike and subsequent routes are the quickest way north and I choose this routing at times. The drawback is very heavy traffic in the Newark, NJ area.
Now the second routing choice
One will bypass the 295 bridge exit and travel on to Wilmington, DE. One may choose staying on I95 or taking the I495 Wilmington bypass. The signage recommends through traffic to I495, but there is little difference outside of the rush hour period.
Just beyond Chester, PA follow I476 north connecting to the Pennsylvania Turnpike North East Extension. (also 476) (tip - follow the turnpike to the very end, the first I81 north exit circles Scranton, PA - check the map)
If you are heading to Binghamton, NY and have the urge to quickly move north east, try I88 north to Albany, nice scenery and no traffic.
Now back to the I95 exit 100 route 272
Leaving the slab of I95 behind, one can travel north passing through peaceful Amish farm land to Reading, PA. On holiday weekends this route is as quick to Allentown as staying on the main highways.
One follows route 272 north connecting with route 1 north, then route 10 north connecting to a short section of slab bypassing Reading, PA.
Then follow route 61 north to the intersection of route 61 and I78. One can choose this short section of slab to Allentown or continue on route 61 to connect with I81 north.
A diversion which I really enjoy is leaving route 61 north of Hamburg and following route 895 to New Ringgold, Tamaqua,PA and following 309 to catch I81 north.
The Hamburg intersection is the home of a Cabelas. If you've forgotten anything, here's a chance to rectify the error.
Again back to exit 100 on I95.
This is a good place to stop for the night. Vermont is a day's ride away. There is a Holiday Inn Express and a Crystal Inn at the exit towards North East.
Two miles further south on route 272 is the tiny town of North East, MD.
North East is a tourist mecca, with its restaurants being an attraction.
Woody's is rated as one of the best on the Bay for family style local seafood. Fridays or weekends, prepare for a long wait, other times no problem.
Less inclined toward seafood, try Pier One. A desire to tax the food budget, that's also possible. Park anywhere on main street/272, the walk will not exceed 5 minutes.
If you're camping, Elk Neck State Park is ten miles south on route 272. Elk Neck State Park is one of the most popular in Maryland, so you might want to check ahead.
My home is located in a small community in the Park. I'd love to offer coffee but I'll be on my way back from Colorado.
Enjoy the ride!!
Motard
Approaching Baltimore, one has the choice of three possible routes crossing the city, two tunnels and one bridge.
The two tunnel choices are the I95 or the I895 "Inner Harbor Tunnel" Both suffer the universal weaknesses of tunnels; rush hour congestion, the possibility of a minor accident causing a major delay, and the chance that road crews may close lanes on any particular day.
Many times, I choose I695, the Frances Scott Key Bridge option. This route is about 5 miles longer but skirts the city of Baltimore on the Chesapeake Bay side. The traffic is normally light and one enjoys a beautiful view of the Baltimore Inner Harbor while crossing the span. There are stretches crossing marshy areas where one can see miles ahead. -Hint- As an added bonus I695 rejoins I95 north beyond most city congestion.
Traveling north on I95, one next crosses the Susquehanna River bridge. At this point, the river is emptying into the Chesapeake Bay, nice view. Traveling further north, one will pass Exit 100 route 272. I'll come back to this later.
Moving towards Wilmington, DE, one must pay a toll. Unfortunately, the section ahead is quite congested.
Remember, if one is continuing north on I95, which is collocated with the New Jersey Turnpike, follow Rt 295 and cross the Delaware River, then straight ahead immediately onto the NJ Turnpike. No problem if you miss the exit as I95 eventually joins the Turnpike, but you now must suffer the congestion of Philadelphia.
The New Jersey Turnpike and subsequent routes are the quickest way north and I choose this routing at times. The drawback is very heavy traffic in the Newark, NJ area.
Now the second routing choice
One will bypass the 295 bridge exit and travel on to Wilmington, DE. One may choose staying on I95 or taking the I495 Wilmington bypass. The signage recommends through traffic to I495, but there is little difference outside of the rush hour period.
Just beyond Chester, PA follow I476 north connecting to the Pennsylvania Turnpike North East Extension. (also 476) (tip - follow the turnpike to the very end, the first I81 north exit circles Scranton, PA - check the map)
If you are heading to Binghamton, NY and have the urge to quickly move north east, try I88 north to Albany, nice scenery and no traffic.
Now back to the I95 exit 100 route 272
Leaving the slab of I95 behind, one can travel north passing through peaceful Amish farm land to Reading, PA. On holiday weekends this route is as quick to Allentown as staying on the main highways.
One follows route 272 north connecting with route 1 north, then route 10 north connecting to a short section of slab bypassing Reading, PA.
Then follow route 61 north to the intersection of route 61 and I78. One can choose this short section of slab to Allentown or continue on route 61 to connect with I81 north.
A diversion which I really enjoy is leaving route 61 north of Hamburg and following route 895 to New Ringgold, Tamaqua,PA and following 309 to catch I81 north.
The Hamburg intersection is the home of a Cabelas. If you've forgotten anything, here's a chance to rectify the error.
Again back to exit 100 on I95.
This is a good place to stop for the night. Vermont is a day's ride away. There is a Holiday Inn Express and a Crystal Inn at the exit towards North East.
Two miles further south on route 272 is the tiny town of North East, MD.
North East is a tourist mecca, with its restaurants being an attraction.
Woody's is rated as one of the best on the Bay for family style local seafood. Fridays or weekends, prepare for a long wait, other times no problem.
Less inclined toward seafood, try Pier One. A desire to tax the food budget, that's also possible. Park anywhere on main street/272, the walk will not exceed 5 minutes.
If you're camping, Elk Neck State Park is ten miles south on route 272. Elk Neck State Park is one of the most popular in Maryland, so you might want to check ahead.
My home is located in a small community in the Park. I'd love to offer coffee but I'll be on my way back from Colorado.
Enjoy the ride!!
Motard