Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Ok New Englanders, lets hear your suggestions on the best tow route to New England Dragway.
I'm looking at going North on I 287, across the Tappen Zee bridge ,to I 84, I 90 ,I 95 and Rt 101.

I'll be traveling at night as will a lot of other racers ,so consider that in your recomendation.
It's been 20 years since my last visit to NED ,so I'm sure a lot has changed traveling there.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

x2

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Me three - let's have it boys ...............

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Contact Dave Riberio. He Knows those roads up there like no one else.
Chip Johnson

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

95 north to exit 48 onto 91 north to 84 east to 90 east (Mass Pike) to 290 east to 495 north to 125 north towards Plaistow, NH, take a right onto North Rd which runs directly into the track.

An alternative would be 95 north to 295 north (around Providence, RI) back onto 95 north to 495 north (in Mass) to 125 north towards Plaistow, NH and then right on North Rd and straight into track. (This route is a little longer but is flatter for towing and has no tolls).

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

I prefer 287 to 684 to 84 to 90 495 125 Over the 95 route traffic seems better and its about the same mileage. I am an 1--1:15 north of NED and can make reading in 7- 7.5 hours when I had too. Its been a long time since I did it with a trailer but still go once in a while to spectate. I am going from memory but Maple grove is 375 miles for me going this way and I am 57 miles north north west of NED

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Be careful if you take 125...the local law enforcement (especially in Plaistow) may see you as an opportunity for revenue enhancement. The speed limit on that road changes often. You can take 495N to the end, where it will rejoin 95N, then take exit 2 (just before the Hampton tolls) to 101W exit 8...track is right there at the end of the ramp.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

I would avoid Tappan Zee/95 in the NY region like the plague! Actually crossed it yesterday around 730pm and the traffic was still backing up.

I would stay on 287 to 87N, then take 84 East through CT into Mass, then 90E to 495...then 93 north to 101E.

I think I got that all right, lol. Im actually on 495 right now headed to Maine. Gotta love wireless!

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

We prefer 95 to 287 to 87N to 84E to 90-290-495-125N (Exit 51B) . Less tolls 287-87 & 90-290-495. Again watch speed on 125. Time about the same, mileage more. FAST PASS/EASY PASS acceptable

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Hey Tom.. Steve Cultrera told me to cross the Tappan Zee Bridge and pick up 95 North.. take it to 101 and there is an exit off of 101 for the track.. I haven't compared it to the route using 84 for time or mileage, but there is no jumping from rte to rte and no small town hick cops.. BOY!!, I hate those guys.. but keep yours eyes open in CT, the troopers are out there in Camaros and Mustangs.. freakin' cheaters.. LOL

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Tom & Others,

The best route might not be the fastest , but if you get stuck on the
Tappan Zee bridge you could lose 3-4 hours ... So for racers close to Rte 81 in PA , take it north to Scranton, then PU 84 east towards NY/Conn .. When you get into Conn. ,stay on 84 towards Hartford, Conn.
going thru Hartford at rush hours can be a task ....Stay on 84 to the Mass pike, take it east, get off on rte 495 heading north towards NH , get off on Rte 93 N towards Manchester, NH... Stay on 93 ,pass Manchester & take 101 E ( Epping is about 20 miles on left side )
No tolls other than Mass Pike & NY bridge .... This route has some hills , but much easier drive , not much Traffic... If late at night you could chance Tappn Zee as others said , they are always road repairs .... Good Luck to everyone attending , very nice track and Great Seafood .... * You can e-mail me if you have any questions daveribeiro@aol.com

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

I took Dave's route and my wife used it on 2 trips to Maine. Few miles more to drive but you save a ton in Tolls and aggravation

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Are those Camaros and Mustangs in the Stock/SuperStock Classification Guide??

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

FYI - Massachusetts State Police use unmarked Crown Vics, Dodge Chargers, Ford Expeditions and they also have a few unmarked F150 pick-ups with caps over the bed. The Expeditions and F150s are usually members of the "truck team" and they have portable scales.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

That sounds like the way we went in the '80's ,pick up I 84 at Newburg ?

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

I'd take 87/287 E to the Tappan Zee, 287, 684, to 84 in Danbury if it was late enough at night. Maybe mid morning, but check on the construction.
Shorter rte., fewer hills.
About 290 through Worcester. You save a little bit of toll and a few miles, but if rush hour, stay on 90 to 495... 125 N is shortest, again ,depending on time of day. Stores, gas ,restaurants might be helpful to you. Rt turn on 101 and the track is 1st exit.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

BP's directions are probably the best to take. HOWEVER!
Once you get into Sturbridge Mass at the Jct of I-84 and I-90 be careful.
The Sturbridge State Police Barracks is at that exit, follow Bob Don's suggestions regarding the unmarked vehicles.

If you choose to take I-290 east (Get off I-90 at the Auburn exit instead of paying more in tolls to the Westboro/RT495 North exit) it will bring you thru the city of Worcester, and right into I-495 North at the Hudson / Northboro Mass line.

I would suggest as BP did, and stay on RT 495 North to Rt 125 North (Plastow NH exit)
and follow Rt 125 North for 20 miles to Rt 101 east, (There's a 24 hour Wal-mart at that junction) Get on Rt 101 east for just 1 exit . Get off at the "Dragway exit", take a left over the bridge and into New England Dragway's parking lot!

We'll be driving this route tomorrow to attend the ASRA double header, and will follow up with any detours next week!

BTW Tom, I sent a sample of the pocket Dzus tool to S&W
Greg

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

575 miles for me to go to epping it would cost me $680 for fuel
i will see you all at atco and that will only cost me $300 for fuel
have a very save trip everbody
I WILL BE READING JACKS REPORT

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Greg, another 5 secs we would have beaten the fire extinguisher !
Fortunately it was the cold fire type not dry powder, a little polish on the aluminum was all it needed.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Stay off of Rte 125 unless you like the stop and go. I personally (Towing from Chelmsford, MA) go 495 North to 93 North then to 101 East and drive to NED.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

I will be pulling into Epping to work by noon on Thursday. (Not sure where I will be, either Safety or staging lanes)

If anyone is still looking for rooms last minute I have a discount code that will get you a room near the Manchester airport at the Country Inn & Suites Bedford for $70/night. Published rate is about $120. A bit of a drive, approx 35 miles on 101, but all highway.

If anyone needs the code feel free to shoot me a PM.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

I would agree with BP's directions, I have done all three crossings of the Hudson to and from the south, I have done Garden state to tapenzee, gone past the tapenzee once and picked up 90, and of course done the GW bridge upper and lower. Its always sort of a crapshoot.

Things to take note of for the towing crowd that hasn't gone north:

If taking the garden state, fill up at the last rest area and you should make it to the track without stoping again......gas isn't cheap at all in CT.

If going 84 to the pike, right after you get on the pike and pass the state police barracks there is a rest area with a Mcdonalds. It will be your last rest area if you are taking 290....which I do.

495 if taking to the 125 exit right north of me here in Andover are the bridges that cross the Merrimack, the first two aren't bad, but the dip on the third and last bridge going north is the worst, it is really bad going south from the track....

Once you get up to the 101 exit on 125 you will find what may be the best options for a racetrack in D-1 whatever you may need or hanker for when you are at the track which is 1 exit up like two miles......a Mcdonalds, a burger king, plenty of gas stations.....mobil one with a touchless, I think there is a market basket now too, of course the Walmart, etc etc etc. Keep in mind that New Hampshire is tax free, also bottle deposit free for the adult and pop beverage drinkers.....

Safe towing everyone.

See you next week.

Eric

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Traffic on I-95 in CT can be brutal, particularly between the state line and New Haven, plus the road in places is in awful shape.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Much better way to go is 287 to 684N to 84E . You avoid 95 in Conn. which at any given moment can be a disaster.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

For those opting to take the Plastow exit Rt 125N from Rt 495N to the track,
2 miles up Rt. 125 in the DeMoulas/Market Basket Plaza (Opposite Bank Of America) is the NH State Liquor Store & Wine outlet!

For those that want to $ave on fuel, travel 2 more miles north on 125 past "Plastow Motorsports" to the Irving Fuel station (there's a "Dunkin Donuts" inside)
BIG rig's can easily get in and out of for gas & diesel fuel at "lower NH prices"!
Fuel yesterday was $369.9/ gallon & diesel was $3.89.9/gallon

and for those with shorter tow vehicles, traveling Rt. 125, there's a well-known short-cut that we use to get to the track.(2 miles)
Just past the Stratham Tire company at the "Blinking Lights" take a right on North Road, this will take you past 3 Ponds Campgrounds and thru the Rockingham County Complex (20 mph at the complex) it cuts directly across Rt 101 and into the New England Dragway facility.

Again the "short-cut" should only be used for "smaller" Truck /Trailer/ Motorhome combo's!

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

I'm going to Columbus. Let's see, how do I get there? Oh yeah, take 76(PA Turnpike) west to I 70 west to exit! A little over 5 hours or so of driving. Simple!

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Good Luck at National Trail Raceway Bryan, alot of "Class racers" will be at New England Dragway next weekend!

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Tom said he was traveling at night, that is a good idea as far as traffic, because with a good weather forecast fri pm and sat am , there will be beach traffic.

I go there regularly and always us 125 north, it is shorter and there are good places to gas up and get groceries on the way.My rig is 68 feet long. Yes there are some stop lights, if you hate stop lights, take the 95-101 route. There is a walmart at the junction of 101 and 125, going north on 125 you go under 101 and it is on the right. Greg is right on as far as the gas/diesel stop(Irving). The road is being worked on there, but in non rush hour times it is a ok, I went thru fri night and this morning and did fill up at the Irving. I think it is open 24 hours, diesel around the back of building, easy access 385/diesel. 10-15 miles to track, there is also a shell on the left just before 101 that is 385.

As far as the southern part of the trip, it depends on time of day. In the middle of the night, if there is no night construction, I would go 95 to 91 to 84....,that route is less hills ,,, but most of the time I would go 287, tappan zee, 684 , 84 , 90 , 290 , 495,125n. There are more than one 125 exit, take the last one, it is split for north and south (you want north)and I think it says haverhill,ma and plastow,nh on the exit sign. all these roads have some issues, but that is the way it is every where I go.

While you are up here, take a ride to the coast and see the sights

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

To reiterate what was said:
While planning your trip do NOT plan on stopping in Connecticut for fuel.
$4.39 as of this morning vs. $3.89 in New Hampshire (Mobil stations).

Connecticuts Governer just raised the fuel tax on July 1.

Have a safe trip.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

Just HOW could all of the people who live there vote in someone like the Govenor of Connecticut when gas and diesel is already more expensive than most can afford unless you drive a "Skate Board" ? Wake up people. I would hope that NO ONE would buy gas in that state and put a choke hold on that crap.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

They dont call it the Communist State for nothing.

Re: Best towing RT from Southern D1 to Epping
 

X2 you are so right , When i travel the country Im ashamed to admit I live there.