Pulling through NY city

The wife's family has a house in South Hampton and that is where the family has decided to unite this year during the first part of June. I am looking for the most feasible way to get the Cat out there. I have talked to the ferry out of New London, CT that goes to Orient on the north arm of the island. I can go this route, but they will charge about $2.60 / foot. The only other option is to go through New York City. Something I have nightmares about trying, but I have never been to the city, so I may be over thinking this.

Anybody with any thoughts or experience in the area? Can you safely navigate a camper to Long Island? What is the best route? I am up for any thoughts / suggestions.

Thanks.

I went from Florida to Groton, CT one time. I just followed my GPS (in truck mode). Basically it followed I-95 all the way. Right thru New York City. Seems like we went thru Harlem. It could have been. All looks the same to me. I went thru tunnels, under the underpasses, over the overpasses, express roads, tolls roads, bridges (top and bottom) etc, side by side with 18 wheelers. Just held it between the lines and paid all the tolls. It seems like the toll for a car maybe was $3.00 to $5.00 but when the attendant stuck their head out the window and saw that I was tolling something the price went up to about $15.00 to $20.00. I think we paid about $67 in tolls one way. I remember seeing a big billboard saying, "Move to South Carolina, taxes are cheaper."

Moo,

Pay the $2.60/ft. It'll be worth the peace of mind of not having to negotiate your way through city traffic. I've used the Orient Point/New London ferry on numerous occasions going both ways. It's a nice trip across the Sound. Relax and enjoy the view and the fresh sea air.

That being said, if I had to tow through the city I go north of the city through Westchester across the TappanZee and I-287 and navigate down to either the Throgsneck Bridge or the Whitestone Bridge. It'll take you around the worst of the city traffic, but depending on the time of day (best try mid-day) you're either going to beat the traffic or crawl through it. Coming from the west, you're going to go right by the I-95 south turnoff anyway as you head out to New London and the CT south shore.

If you do try the city, WCBS (AM 880) has traffic reports every 10 minutes, all day long. They usually focus on NYC and LI traffic, including all of the bridge crossings in the city.

Best of luck and keep on truckin' good buddy.

Thanks for the input!! Mike, that is the route I was eyeballing. We are considering driving in, takeing the ferry out and then make a loop up through Maine / New Hampshire if we can fit it all in.

It sounds like tolls are going to cost almost as much as the ferry ride. Thanks Ole Yella

I AGREE!! Pay the 2.60/Ft!! Never pulled camper thru but have driven it. NO WAY I'd pull thru that madness!! Good Luck!

You can easily drive over to long island, its not that bad driving that is. The bridge tolls are out of this world and that was 20yrs ago when I used to drive tractor trailers to long island. Seemed like everytime I'd get trapped by the dispatcher to have to go to long island and when I got there I'd have to swing by a bank and get cash off my credit card from the bank. If I remember right you don't get charged going back off the island. But that was years ago. I'd go the ferry. it seems like it was around 80 bucks from George washington bridge to long island in tolls and bridge tolls..... but that was a big rig. Your only one axle short of that charge.
The ferry would be something to remember , good kodak moments also. And a Great place to get a picture of the CAT..... to put on the header...... So make sure you get a good parking place on the Ferry.....

Brad, I live about 30 minutes from south hampton. You could pm me and I will help you out if you want. We are always going through thae city with the cat , no problems at all. Some people who take the George Washington bridge route get a bit scared going under the apartment buildings, it gets a liitle hairy at times. Just take your time and stay in the middle lane.

Eric

I myself would take the ferry and stay out of the traffic, if I remember correctly you will pay on the GW about 30 bucks, Throgs Neck about 22 each way. If your pick up is a 2500 or 3500 series you pay double what a car pays and they will charge the same for the cat. Tappanzee is about 28 . Welcome to NY

Go to youtube and watch some video's of the Ferry and you can also watch video's driving the lower and upper GW bridge.
.

Thanks!! The ferry sounds better and better and I think I better get a photo!!

Eric, as thinks get closer, I will be in touch. Thanks for the offer.

Do you have to back on or off the ferry? I watched the video on you tube and I can't tell.

My truck has DRW and the tolls was more than a SRW. The tolls sure do add up fast since I have not payed them in years. Would love to make another trip up to Nova Scotia area.

Rhino, I think it goes by the number of Axles not the tires. Just going through on 95 straight on up is not that bad on the tolls. Its going over the other bridges to long island that add up QUICK. I'm thinking the only toll you pay is GW bridge just going up 95. and the jersey turnpike of course. I wanna know were all those billions of dollars go ?

Moo, I think theres a couple different ferrys. I think I saw the video you say of the smaller ferry that looked like you had to back off the boat.
I'm pretty sure you'd be on the bigger boat and drive on and drive off forward. Boat looks the same on both ends.
I saw a video of a over sized load about to board the boat, and I know he didn't back that thing off. Eric could tell you for sure on that though.
And yes you'll be beat'n senseless if you don't get a picture of the Cat on the Ferry. With a good back ground of the water....

you do not have to back up on any of the two ferries, Orient and Port Jefferson. The boats have ramps on both ends. If you take the George Washington bridge route you will also pay a toll at the Throgrs Neck bridge. You will pay about $ 50 each way for the two tolls. They do count your axels to determine tolls, but like I said if your pickup is a 2500 or more you will pay the higher toll for commercial vehicles, and if you have an easy pass you better make sure it is the blue commercial one because the MTA police will take it away from you, I know from experiance

If you do decide to take the ferry make sure. you make a reservation. A picture of the cat would be great but hard to get unless you are the first on board. Most of the vehicles are inside the boat and you are packed in like sardines

Brad, if you are up for it I will take you camping on the beach in Montauk. It is a great experiance. It is only about 30 minutes from South Hampton

Probably a stupid question to a NY native, but could you take 278 across Staten Island and cross the narrows bridge?

talala, yes you could take the verrazano but then you have to take the BQE, personally I think that is the worst road in NY

What is a toll?

scottz wrote:What is a toll?

It's what they charge every 50' (or it seemed that way) on the E470 that goes around the east side of Denver. I kid you not, it cost me $29.00 in tolls to avoid I25 when I towed that Cat that way in 2007. Never again, I'll go through Denver.

It was the most outrageous toll I've ever paid.

Eric, the house is actually at North Sea on Wooleys pond, so I would be closer than that to Montauk. Actually, I was considering camping there and driving over to the house every day if for some reason I can't get the cat in the driveway. Let me get some exact dates, and maybe we can try to meet up.

I just did a job in North Sea, small world. Let me know about the dates and we will meet up.

How big are the drive ways in that area? The only pics my wife has are of the house itself. I guess the last time she was there (about 15 years ago), she didn't think to get pics of the important things like the driveway entrance!

A cat rally on the beach ? sounds interesting.....

Sounds good to me