Driving West out of Northern New England

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StephenH

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Topic: Driving West out of Northern New England
Posted: 22 Jan 2020 at 8:29am

I may look into other routing between now and then, possibly to take us down the west side of the Rockies on the return trip. I think the routing to Alaska is going to remain the same though.

StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

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Woodmiester View Drop Down

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Posted: 22 Jan 2020 at 7:49am

We have traveled that route.....MAN what a trip! Enjoyed every minute of it. Other than a few areas in the Yukon, the road is in great shape, There are a few places in the Yukon where the road is always being repaired due to the tundra but they always have "lead vehicles" to take you through. Not a huge problem.

A couple of things that I have noticed that folks have with their TT is wheel bearings and Tires. Probably smart to have an extra set with you.

Watch the wildlife on the roads! There are animals everywhere up there and walking the roads is very easy for them Smile

ENJOY, ENJOY ENJOY!!

Swampfox

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Posted: 22 Jan 2020 at 7:38am

Nice run! Looks like you're going through Banff & Jasper!

Your return run is along the eastern side of the Rockies I see. I tried Rt 40 south as it runs through the valley. We were two days early and the road was closed... Real shame because it was quite remarkable!

It should also bring you pretty darn close to Writing on Stone Provincial Park before leaving Canada. Another very unique place!

Byways no Highways
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2004 F150 My Overlander

StephenH

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Posted: 21 Jan 2020 at 11:07am

Originally posted by Olddawgsrule

I now I mentioned to you before but driving up the east side up the Rockies and crossing them in Canada is well worth the time spent! The TCH through Alberta/BC is wonderful. Don from Alberta was right about Rogers Pass on the TCH (another Glacial area)!

Please do share you route once planned! I for one would like to see it.

Okay. This is the latest plan. We need to go through Chicago to drop off some family papers at the Chicago Public Library to add to the collection there from my wife's Great Grandfather. Then we will continue on toward Fairbanks. From there, past (hopefully, with a stop at) Denali to Anchorage. From there to see our older daughter and family in Utah and then our younger daughter and family in Arizona before returning home. The route is somewhat over 10,000 miles, not counting any side-trips.

I just upgraded the battery from the dual 6V GC2 batteries to a single LiFePO4 battery in anticipation of this trip. It gives me effectively the same power but at only about 30 lbs instead of the combined 120 lbs of the GC2 batteries. The write-up for that is in my mods.

The map was generated on the Passport America web site. Thus, the green boxes (location of PA camping locations).

I was looking into the Anchorage to Washington ferry for part of the trip, but the anticipated $6,000 and up price tag puts a damper on that idea.

StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Woodmiester View Drop Down

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Posted: 21 Jan 2020 at 10:03am

We too enjoy getting off of the interstates from time to time......We really lose contact with our country while zipping along at 70mph. There is so much to see and many, many interesting people to meet on the back roads!

We also find we are not so tired at the end of the day. Driving the interstates all day is pretty exhausting!

Swampfox

Olddawgsrule View Drop Down

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Posted: 20 Jan 2020 at 7:19am

Originally posted by StephenH

This sounds like a trip I would like to make some day. This year though, we hope to head up into Canada farther west on the way to Alaska.

I now I mentioned to you before but driving up the east side up the Rockies and crossing them in Canada is well worth the time spent! The TCH through Alberta/BC is wonderful. Don from Alberta was right about Rogers Pass on the TCH (another Glacial area)!

Please do share you route once planned! I for one would like to see it.

Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

StephenH

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Posted: 19 Jan 2020 at 12:56pm

This sounds like a trip I would like to make some day. This year though, we hope to head up into Canada farther west on the way to Alaska.

StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Olddawgsrule View Drop Down

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Posted: 19 Jan 2020 at 10:01am

I've come to learn that slowing down and enjoying the region is the way to go! I am retired now, so I can. We plan only about a 2hr destination drive. What we have learned it is takes us all day due to the stops/exploring!

As we went East we along the base of Superior and it was beautiful. On our way back we traveled over the top, again beautiful.

Enjoy the travel!

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2004 F150 My Overlander

jato

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Posted: 18 Jan 2020 at 4:32pm

Sounds like a spectacular trip. We have talked about going east sometime and the route you suggest sounds like a great adventure. It takes us 85 -90 minutes to get to the Mackinac Bridge and from there we enjoy taking 2 or 28 across the U.P. of Michigan. Another route which is also scenic is H-58 along Lake Superior, which you can pick up once you are west of Deer Park or Muskallongue State Park. Another treat, which we have taken and are going to do again is to take 2 all the way to Montana or beyond, a great way to see old towns and a slower pace of travel, if you don't have to get to your destination yesterday.

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Olddawgsrule View Drop Down

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Posted: 18 Jan 2020 at 3:32pm

For I don't know how many years I have always driven through NY, MA or break south and add CT to get west. No longer!

Okay I guess this mainly pertains to heading into the northern tier of the Western US and for those out of MA and north.

We found that driving up into Canada and crossing back in the U.P. of Michigan was an awesome drive! If you enjoy highways, stop reading now.

Driving up through VT and Champlain lake region (including the Isles) is awesome, but that just starts the run. Overnight in the Walmart RV Park in Hawksberry and avoid Montreal traffic.

From there you can run the TCH or byways (which I always prefer) and enjoy Canadian hospitality. Walmarts up there are still very RV friendly and free (my favorite 4 letter word) or stay in a Provencial Park. I'm going to catch Kawartha Highlands on our next run.

You cross back into the US at Saute st Marie (same name on both sides of the border) and spend the afternoon/night. This is where we grabbed a commercial site along the waterway so we could see the passing ships and explore the locks.

From here it really does depend on your destination, yet I do recommend spending some time driving through/along Lake Superior and the U.P into Wisconsin and enjoy the area! As you come into SD, try real hard to stay off RT90. You'll truely miss the real Eastern SD (and the road art). There's a great boondock spot outside of the Badlands and from there it just gets better and better!

Just another way west for us in New England. If you haven't done it, you're missing out!

Enjoy and let me know if you drive it!

Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander