We are going to Brigantine/Atlantic City NJ to pick up a coach and were thinking about coming home through Delaware on highway 13 and then cross the Chesapeke Bay bridge tunnel. We are taking a couple of days to get home and trying to stay of the interstate a little. Is this a good route? Anything I need to know about the tunnel. There is no propane on the coach.
Tom Hamrick
Tom,
No problems with the CBBT, but there is a toll. It's a pretty drive.
You might also consider taking the Cape May -- Lewes ferry instead of the more boring route through Carney's Point. The ferry is spendy, but it's a beautiful ride and you'll see more interesting countryside on the way to and from. Plus you could stop by and see Nick :)
If you go back to my blog from the beginning, around November 2004, there's lots of posts on this part of the route, starting from AC and following along the barrier islands of NJ, across the ferry, down the coast of the DelMarVa peninsula, and across the CBBT and then down to Virginia Beach.
HTH,
-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com (http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com)
Hi Tom,
Sean is spot on about the countryside. [although no hills unless you are counting overpasses] :D
If your up to it, I'm just off exit 13 of the Garden State Parkway. 12 miles north from the Cape May Lewes Ferry.
Have a Great Trip!
Nick-
Thanks guys for the reply. I look forward to the journey.
Tom Hamrick
Tom, What have you gone and done !! Hope it is of the same breed to add to your collection.
Have a safe trip
Ed
Ed, I am sad to say it but Tommy's avatar will be changing soon. I am going to let him take it from there!!!LOL
Have used the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel for years enroute from Atlanta to Rehoboth Beach, DE. As mentioned, there is a toll, but it's a memorable ride. Take it one way, perhaps northward, then you can decide if the views and tolls are worth a return trip. If not, you could always come down I-95, cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge, and down to Petersburg VA where you pick up I-85.
One caveat about the CBBT: in a rig your size, don't attempt to pull into the tourist stop halfway across. It's too tight for a bus.
Enjoy!
Mike in GA
Quote from: Mike in GA on December 19, 2011, 11:56:15 AM
One caveat about the CBBT: in a rig your size, don't attempt to pull into the tourist stop halfway across. It's too tight for a bus.
Glad I didn't know that when we did it -- we had no trouble at all and it was a nice stop :)
-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com (http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com)
Quote from: Sean on December 19, 2011, 01:45:42 PM
Quote from: Mike in GA on December 19, 2011, 11:56:15 AM
One caveat about the CBBT: in a rig your size, don't attempt to pull into the tourist stop halfway across. It's too tight for a bus.
Glad I didn't know that when we did it -- we had no trouble at all and it was a nice stop :)
-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com (http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com)
Well, just don't pull in the tourist area with a toad cause there is no place to turn around.
Nick-
Remember... You can't get there from here! Lol! ;) ;D
We got trapped there with a tow lol in 2005 had to unhook the hook up again
good luck
Tolls are a little less using I95 than the ferry and the CBBT but the countryside and the views a worth the difference. Did I mention very little traffic on this routing?
Bill
Tom,
Enjoy the ride down Rt13 or take the route by Ocean City MD. to get to the Bay Bridge.
If you need a place to do maint on the coach while in NJ, call and I can get you inside a heated building.
Stop by and stay next to the beach at my place. Love to meet you !
Take care,
Gary
609 Seven Oh three 8989.
Thanks guys for all the info. I wish that I had time to stop in and visit some of you but we have to get back. I am told the bus is 13'3" at the tallest point. I see that 13'6" is the most for CBBT. Is it that close or is that just their limit?
Thanks again for the help.
Tom Hamrick
13'-6" is the tunnel limit. If all you have to go on is what you were told about the height of your bus, I would take very careful measurements, watch your speed in the tunnels so the bus doesn't "porpoise" and hug the centerline as much as possible.
Tom, the bus you bought should have a system to lower the bus for close clearances
good luck
Quote from: luvrbus on December 20, 2011, 05:50:18 AM
Tom, the bus you bought should have a system to lower the bus for close clearances
good luck
I didn't think Eagles could do that. Don't ya have to have air ride for that? ;)
;D BK ;D
He may have a air ride bus now lol
good luck
Tom,
if you are under 13'6" you are ok , If you are close to 13'6" drive slow when pulling up to toll plaza or they will measure your height.( electronic height sensor about 50 feet from toll booth) I live here on the shore and it was worse back when the lights were across the lane instead of running with the lane as it does now, you can still see where they used to mounted. Ive had to cut down more than a few few Firestick CB antennas over the years.... Enjoy your trip and be safe!
I am going to measure before I start out just to be sure I don't get turned around at the booth. I will have to learn about the dropping of the air trick as well.
Thanks for the help!
Tom Hamrick
Sounds like a nice ride -- but personally I HATE toll roads. I would head back across NJ to near Philadephia, west on local roads to Harrisburg and I-83 to Bawlmer beltway, then I-70 past Frederick MD then to I-81 to southern VA. Then, I-77 to I-40, across to Hickory then your favorite way home from Hickory. But that's not nearly as nice a ride, I-81 is terrible for truck traffic, there are hills, etc. But then, getting from Norfolk to about Henderson, NC so you can pick up I-85 isn't great either.
So, just my preference, for what it's worth. BH NC
Quote from: Oonrahnjay
Sounds like a nice ride -- but personally I HATE toll roads. I would head back across NJ to near Philadephia, west on local roads to Harrisburg and I-83 to Bawlmer beltway, then I-70 past Frederick MD then to I-81 to southern VA. Then, I-77 to I-40, across to Hickory then your favorite way home from Hickory. But that's not nearly as nice a ride, I-81 is terrible for truck traffic, there are hills, etc. But then, getting from Norfolk to about Henderson, NC so you can pick up I-85 isn't great either.
So, just my preference, for what it's worth. BH NC
BH,
Uh if you hate tolls it's not a good idea to go back into Jersey.
Ever notice almost ALL roads into NJ are free, but ALL roads out of there have a toll booth?
No why? Because nobody in their right mind will pay to get into NJ. But everybody will pay to get the HECK OUT!
;D BK ;D
Quote from: Busted Knuckle on December 20, 2011, 01:16:37 PMBH, Uh if you hate tolls it's not a good idea to go back into Jersey.
I heard that! If I'm going to New England, I go Baltimore, Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, I-84. It's 30 miles longer, much less traffic and easier driving, and only toll is one-way across the Hudson. I have a number of friends who I'm very fond of in NJ, but I avoid the place like the plague (or like, there some some Northerner there sticking out their hand to be filled with my money).
Unless you are coming from Baltimore, that's not the best way. If coming from Richmond or south then US 17 at Fredricksburg to I66 to I81 and then to I84. My preference is I81 to I78 to PA33 to US209 then I84. Avoids the hills in and out of Scranton and regardless of time of day there is "always" a traffic snarl in the Scranton area.
Re: getting out of New Jersey, you are better off to cross the Delaware River to the PA side for toll purposes than the Memorial Bridge to Wilmington, DE, last time through, maybe four years ago, it was $18 with three axles and two axle toad. One good thing about NJ is least cost fuel in the area.
BTW it is possible to go from NY through NJ and PA to Va without a single toll.
Bill
Quote from: Bill B /bus
BTW it is possible to go from NY through NJ and PA to Va without a single toll.
Bill
Bull I won't argue that there isn't a way. But I will say that I never found A GOOD WAY out of Jersey for free when I was trucking!
;D BK ;D
New Jersey and You.... Perfect together! ;D ;D
Hi Tom,
I cruised through the CBBT with an 03' H3-45 raised roof star coach 2 years ago.
It was also 13-3". I did drag the CB antenna the whole length of the tunnels but nothing else.
Nick-
Thanks Nick. That is good to know.
Tom Hamrick
I said I wouldn't let the cat out of the bag about tommy's new avatar that he is going to NJ after.. I talked to him this morning and he said it would be ok to reveal it. SO HERE IT IS!!!!
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Finlinethumb52.webshots.com%2F46131%2F2955366830053449967S500x500Q85.jpg&hash=b6b45b32c93b0d749822895f31a65e6b1888a607) (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2955366830053449967GATOwv)
Eric you 2 guys are having fun lol the 27th all will know huh
good luck
Bill has the route we take dead on! It is well worth the small extra milage and alot less stress. The only way i would run 95 would be snow/sleet inland and i was in a big hurry. It is usually warmer roads hugging the coast.