Toll Roads and More

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janman55

Active member
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Posts
25
Location
Jefferson City MO
8/22 my wife and I are heading from mid-Missouri to Searsport ME.  Will be taking the route up to I-90 across New York etc..  I know we're stopping at Niagra Falls, Cooperstown, etc.  Would like your suggestions on must-sees and what we need to know maneuvering toll roads.  Any advice input is much appreciated.
 
I-90 is a pretty even stretch of road for RVs, some windy spots, but nothing too crazy.
Depending on how far you want to stray from 90, NY is full of beautiful state parks with great hiking, kayaking, etc. I highly recommend that you plan a stop into Green Lakes State Park. Avoid the beach, it's always packed, but it really is something to see. There are only 6 lakes like it in the world and 2 of them are in this park. It's in Syracuse not far off 90. It's a hidden gem that even a lot of locals haven't seen. Look it up online, it really looks like the pictures.
 
I just traveled I-90 it's full length through NY. Overall, the road is in very good condition, with some construction in progress.
 
Not sure what you want to know on Toll roads. The North East not much way around them. We left Illinois and traveled up to Maine and back down through Vigrina almost all New England states two week trip and tolls cost me around $200 dollars. I tried to find ways around it was not worth the added time. Some states had booths some sent you bill in Mail. Another reason I go west.
 
You can get an EZ Pass to help ease the toll road hassle a bit. It will eliminate you having to stop and shell out cash at each and every toll plaza/booth. They are available on-line and they will send you a transponder to keep in your vehicle. You don?t have to be a resident of the states that use the EZ Pass system to get one and they do make life a little easier.  We live in Fla and used one last fall many times on a trip through New England. NY and Mass roads are full of tolls.  We?re heading that way again after Labor Day and you can bet we?ll have it along this trip, too.
 
There is a way around the toll road but that involves getting off I90 in PA. You take interstate 86 to Binghamton and then I 88 to  to Albany. No tolls but you do not go near Niagara falls.  You will be going through great wine country and the Corning Museum of Glass. You will go very close to Cooperstown on this route.
The other way is to go to Niagara falls and then get back on I 90 to Batavia NY take New York 63 to I390 to Corning (Glass Museum)which turns into I86 to Binghamton and I88 to Cooperstown.
 
darsben said:
There is a way around the toll road but that involves getting off I90 in PA. You take interstate 86 to Binghamton and then I 88 to  to Albany. No tolls but you do not go near Niagara falls.  You will be going through great wine country and the Corning Museum of Glass. You will go very close to Cooperstown on this route.
The other way is to go to Niagara falls and then get back on I 90 to Batavia NY take New York 63 to I390 to Corning (Glass Museum)which turns into I86 to Binghamton and I88 to Cooperstown.
Or take 104
 
We do not have toll roads in Missouri.  Someone told me to always stay to the right.  I assume it's cash or credit?  Just looking for tips to move through them efficiently rather than avoiding cost.
 
janman55 said:
We do not have toll roads in Missouri.  Someone told me to always stay to the right.  I assume it's cash or credit?  Just looking for tips to move through them efficiently rather than avoiding cost.
I'm so used to it that I forget other states aren't sucking their residents dry at every opportunity. Lol, if you were going to be going up and down the east coast I would say to get an ez pass, but not if you're just doing the length of 90. You get on and get a ticket, and when you get off you'll pay. If you're going the whole distance, thia will only be one time so it isn't worth an ez pass. You won't be passing multiple toll booths.
 
Niagara Falls is best seen from the Canadian side and for that to happen you need passports. 

Carry about $300 cash for the toll roads.  Trying to dodge them in New York is a hassle. 
 
Arch Hoagland said:
Niagara Falls is best seen from the Canadian side and for that to happen you need passports. 

Carry about $300 cash for the toll roads.  Trying to dodge them in New York is a hassle.
I'm sure it's more if pulling a trailer, but you don't say what you're driving. It's under $20 for a car.
 
We've got a 32' Class A and toad.  This is good information about how much cash etc..  We will have the passports along so thanks for the tip of going to the Canadian side.
 
janman55 said:
We've got a 32' Class A and toad.  This is good information about how much cash etc..  We will have the passports along so thanks for the tip of going to the Canadian side.
I disagree on the Canadian side being better. The Canadian side is much more commercialized, but I prefer the American side for viewing the falls. The American side feels much more like a state park than a tourist destination. If you go to Goat Island to park, you can explore it all on foot and get close enough to touch the water.
 
90 has tolls from end to end but Massachusetts got rid of the booths so there is no stopping.  You will get sent a bill.  If you  have time a brand new MGM casino opens in Springfield, MA on 8/24.  Less than a mile away is the Basketball Hall of Fame.  If you go through MA, most people get off 90 and take 495 to 95 for Maine.  You should see Boston if you never have before.  Don't take your RV into Boston.

Many people coming from your direction jump off 90 around Albany, NY.  Burlington, VT...then Ben and Jerrys...White Mountains of NH and then cut across to Maine.  Day trip/s to Bar Harbor is a must.  Watch the harbor around Searsport.  We saw purpoise and seals.  Go on a whale watch or a harbor tour.

Another option to reduce tolls is to take 70, 71N Columbus, 76, 80, 81, 84, 90, 495.  You will bypass Niagara Falls though.


Have a great trip.
 
End to end, we just paid $42 in tolls on Route 90 in NY. That's the motorhome without toad on this trip. Tolls on the Mass Pike are minimal. It's just not worth the time and gas to avoid the tolls.

As to Niagara Falls: the Canadian side is a national treasure, the New York side is a poorly maintained state park. Other than Cave of the Winds and the power plant, anything worth seeing is in Canada.
 
HappyWanderer said:
End to end, we just paid $42 in tolls on Route 90 in NY. That's the motorhome without toad on this trip. Tolls on the Mass Pike are minimal. It's just not worth the time and gas to avoid the tolls.

As to Niagara Falls: the Canadian side is a national treasure, the New York side is a poorly maintained state park. Other than Cave of the Winds and the power plant, anything worth seeing is in Canada.

I went over the George Washington Bridge in NY with a trailer with tandem axles and a dually and it cost $60.00
 
Rene T said:
I went over the George Washington Bridge in NY with a trailer with tandem axles and a dually and it cost $60.00
NYC is a whole other ball game, but travelling through NYS will be considerable less.
 
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