Routing suggestions - New York City to Washington DC/Virginia? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Bigskynyc · 05-02-2007, 09:36 AM

Hi, all --

Within the next month, I'd like to take a trip from NYC to Gainesville/Manassas, VA (near Washington, DC). It's a 261-mile trip using I-95, but I-95 is not very interesting, to say the least.

Does anybody have any suggestions for a more scenic route? I've thought about going a little further west, heading to Lancaster PA, moving down to Gettysburg, PA, and then dropping down into Virginia. I-78 to Lancaster is a much more scenic interstate, and Lancaster and Gettysburg have to be more interesting than the endless Popeye's Chicken stops on I-95! This route seems about 50 miles longer, which would be fine. I've even thought about staying overnight in Lancaster at a B&B (Lancaster is almost half-way there, at 154 miles from NYC).

Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated, and if not, I'll let you know what I finally came up with and how it went. Thanks!

Don

**Clint** · 05-02-2007, 09:42 AM

I don't, but these might help.

MotorcycleRoads.US - Your One-stop Resource for Great Motorcycle Roads in the US
MotorcycleRoads.com - Best Motorcycle Roads & Trips in the USA
GPS Motorcycle Rides | SundayMorningRides.com

Bigskynyc · 05-02-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I don't, but these might help.

MotorcycleRoads.US - Your One-stop Resource for Great Motorcycle Roads in the US
MotorcycleRoads.com - Best Motorcycle Roads & Trips in the USA
GPS Motorcycle Rides | SundayMorningRides.com

Thanks. I just took a quick look, and even if they don't answer the NYC-DC question, the sites all look like "keepers."

Don

Apertureguy · 05-02-2007, 10:26 AM

Go the old fashioned way....US1.

There's a ton of traffic lights and towns to go through...and you're rarely anywhere far from some type of services.

Bigskynyc · 05-02-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apertureguy

Go the old fashioned way....US1.

Thanks, that's what I was trying to find -- the old fashioned (pre-interstate) route. So US1 was the old highway from DC to NYC?

SVZuki · 05-02-2007, 12:50 PM

You could always used the new and improved mapquest route maker. It lets you avoid certain roads and re-routes your route

That's how I went about creating my routes for my next trip. Just don't forget to carry an atlas in case it is wrong!!

MapQuest.Com: Maps, Directions and More

Apertureguy · 05-02-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigskynyc

Thanks, that's what I was trying to find -- the old fashioned (pre-interstate) route. So US1 was the old highway from DC to NYC?

Yeah...that's how it used to be done. From my neck of the woods (Putnam County, NY) it would be a 6+ hour ride...at roughly 284 miles.

Sounds like it would be an awesome trip.

Dave Nadeau · 05-03-2007, 04:08 PM

Try going down the NJ turnpike and taking the Chesipeake Bay Bridge tunnel...it takes you 18 miles over the bay and drops you in Norfolk, then you can head back to the northwest to get to the area you want.

Cajundude · 05-07-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Nadeau

Try going down the NJ turnpike and taking the Chesipeake Bay Bridge tunnel...it takes you 18 miles over the bay and drops you in Norfolk, then you can head back to the northwest to get to the area you want.

Cool idea...then come up through Hwy 1 through Stanford. Stop in at Diamond Jim's M/C and Leather and say hello to Marnie and their GHOST. He had brewed some coffee

when I went by last time....then moved some helmets around on the display when we were talking

...nice place!

Bigskynyc · 05-08-2007, 07:56 PM

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. The good thing about having relatives in Virginia AND developing a real taste for longer-distance riding is that I'm going to probably get to try them all out. And who knows, maybe in the future there's a touring bike waiting for me.

Don

baltimorebayside · 08-22-2007, 08:15 AM

I use Delorme mapping software and plotted out a route.....Even after I said avoid Interstates and favor secondary roads, it still took me down Rt. 83 and around both Baltimore and Washington beltways.....

Either way, it's going to be a tense ride out of NYC and into the Balt/Wash area...then into Manasas??? WOW......you got guts buddy!!!

I wish you all the luck!!!!!!

dan

**Clint** · 08-22-2007, 09:57 AM

Had guts. It was in May.

05-02-2007, 09:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bigskynyc Newbie Joined: Mar 2007 Bike: 2008 Triumph Street Triple Location: New York City Posts: 19	Routing suggestions - New York City to Washington DC/Virginia? Hi, all -- Within the next month, I'd like to take a trip from NYC to Gainesville/Manassas, VA (near Washington, DC). It's a 261-mile trip using I-95, but I-95 is not very interesting, to say the least. Does anybody have any suggestions for a more scenic route? I've thought about going a little further west, heading to Lancaster PA, moving down to Gettysburg, PA, and then dropping down into Virginia. I-78 to Lancaster is a much more scenic interstate, and Lancaster and Gettysburg have to be more interesting than the endless Popeye's Chicken stops on I-95! This route seems about 50 miles longer, which would be fine. I've even thought about staying overnight in Lancaster at a B&B (Lancaster is almost half-way there, at 154 miles from NYC). Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated, and if not, I'll let you know what I finally came up with and how it went. Thanks! Don

05-03-2007, 04:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dave Nadeau TurtleWax Taster Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 08 ElectraGlide ( IN Vivid Black)!!!!!!!!!! Location: Bridgewater, Ma Posts: 576	Try going down the NJ turnpike and taking the Chesipeake Bay Bridge tunnel...it takes you 18 miles over the bay and drops you in Norfolk, then you can head back to the northwest to get to the area you want. __________________ The faster I go the behinder I get..... US Navy 68-72 Amphibs, Little Creek, Va. "The Old Man"

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05-02-2007, 10:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 2,920	Go the old fashioned way....US1. There's a ton of traffic lights and towns to go through...and you're rarely anywhere far from some type of services.

05-08-2007, 07:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
Bigskynyc Newbie Joined: Mar 2007 Bike: 2008 Triumph Street Triple Location: New York City Posts: 19	Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. The good thing about having relatives in Virginia AND developing a real taste for longer-distance riding is that I'm going to probably get to try them all out. And who knows, maybe in the future there's a touring bike waiting for me. Don

08-22-2007, 08:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
baltimorebayside Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: New owner of a 2008 C50T Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 272	I use Delorme mapping software and plotted out a route.....Even after I said avoid Interstates and favor secondary roads, it still took me down Rt. 83 and around both Baltimore and Washington beltways..... Either way, it's going to be a tense ride out of NYC and into the Balt/Wash area...then into Manasas??? WOW......you got guts buddy!!! I wish you all the luck!!!!!! dan

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