Best route to Portsmouth RI

[Fredward]

Looking for a little advice from you Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island types. We'll be heading to Portsmouth, Rhode Island via Elkhart, Indiana. The route from Minnesota to Elkhart is pretty clear cut. There will be two rigs and I'm trying to plot out the best route from Elkhart to Rhode Island. We are going to do the trip out there in three days, and will take our time on the scenic route on the return trip.

What route(s) would you recommend ? We've done the trip before but don't remember the exact route we followed.

Fred

[OneLapper]

Avoid NYC unless you're traveling at 1am.

Rt 90 in NY and Mass is a toll road.  Rt 90 will have the lease amount of traffic but can get really heavy east of Sturbridge or Worcester.  Make sure you pay the "RV" rate.  I had to fight every time until I got "EZ Pass".  Now I drive right through the tolls and the costs are reasonable.


I suggest:

80e
81n
84e
691
91n
9s
95n
195e
24s

Once you cross into CT be ready for traffic.  Road work begins at 8:30pm on Rt 95 east of Old Lyme so you can expect some delays.  Friday evening rush hour on 95 north is 2:30pm till 8-9pm.  I have no idea why so many people from NY and NJ feel like they HAVE to get to Cape Cod EVERY weekend.

[gumpy]

I suggest avoiding Chicago at all costs!  It took us 2 hours to go 30 miles by o-hare a few weeks ago! Drop down at Rockford or take 52 down from Twin Cities, or go down 35 and over through Cedar Rapids, but don't even consider going through Chicago!

[scanzel]

One Lapper has the best route in trying to get to Rhode Island. I95 is the main route through Connecticut between New York and Boston so is always busy between traffic and construction. Try to avoid early morning and supper time if possible. Also a major truck route so many trucks during the day.

[DMoedave]

yep good routing thru Pa and Ny. do the jog north to 84 you could also pass 81 and then take 380 to 84not a lot of difference in hills. Taking 84 keeps you away from the GW toll ripoff and worst traffic ever.  Last spot for the cheapest fuel will be in Port Jarvis at the river at the NY NJ border on 84. There is construction at that point on 84 its down to one lane but doable. Do some fuel truckstop planning in CT and Mass. parking and exits are a little tighter east coast. Safe trip