driving from AR to NYC

[ScottDanaDutch]

Hello everyone....
we are new to RTA. Hopefully I am posting this correctly....
We are driving from AR to NYC this mid-July

My son (Dutch) is battling with Muscular Dystrophy and is full time wheelchair.
Dutch is 17, loves exotic cars, foodie.... so stopping in Philly for a real PCS is a must per him. lol

We are driving in our Sprinter Van and pulling a 7x14 trailer with all his medical equipment to see NYC. yes we are NUTS!

Would love to know thoughts on best route and what to stop and see.
Google shows routes but has no clue some cool places to see while driving.

we will stay around Knoxville on first leg and then stay in DC for couple days then head to NYC.

thank you in advance.

Scott

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

The first place that came to mind when you mentioned that your son appreciated exotic cars was the Lane Museum in Nashville. The other museum that's more or less on your way is the Wood Brothers Racing Museum in Stuart VA.

As to that route, the simplest would be (I'm assuming Little Rock as a starting point) I-40 east to I-81 north to I-66 into the DC area. But if you're looking for scenery and a slower pace, take US-58 west out of Stuart to the Blue Ridge Parkway to Afton VA where I-64 west will reconnect you with I-81 north, or you can take US-29 into the DC area. In Philadelphia, besides getting his cheese steak (love them!), you can visit Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum.

I can, if you'd like, suggest some scenic alternatives to I-95 up the BosWash corridor, but they would be time consuming. Also, if there are other specific interests, please let us know.

AZBuck

[Mark Sedenquist]

We are driving in our Sprinter Van and pulling a 7x14 trailer with all his medical equipment to see NYC.

Scott, sounds like the perfect reason to take a roadtrip to me!

And, yes, you posted this query well.

More replies soon, I am sure. AZ Buck has provided a great overview.

Mark

[AZBuck]

I went back and had a look at your travel plans and I think you're doing yourselves a disservice by trying to get to Washington in only two days. It's over 1,000 miles from Little Rock to DC, so with only two days you really wouldn't have the time necessary to take scenic roads or make stops long enough to really enjoy any of the museums listed above. I would strongly advise adding another overnight stop on the way to DC

AZBuck

[DonnaR57]

If I recall, a Sprinter van is over 8 feet tall, correct? That may pose a little problem in historic Philadelphia: parking garages are not built for a tall vehicle. We have a normal pick-up truck, and we barely squeaked under the low beams in one of their parking garages. We were also very long, and ended up having a little fender-bender with one of their upright support poles.

So you might want to get there early enough to find one of the spots in an open-air lot.


Donna

[BillyGr]

If I recall, a Sprinter van is over 8 feet tall, correct? That may pose a little problem in historic Philadelphia: parking garages are not built for a tall vehicle. We have a normal pick-up truck, and we barely squeaked under the low beams in one of their parking garages. We were also very long, and ended up having a little fender-bender with one of their upright support poles.

So you might want to get there early enough to find one of the spots in an open-air lot.


Donna

Honestly, with that and also the mention of a trailer, parking and just getting around in any of the cities (DC, Philly, NYC) may be difficult.

One other option (depending on timing and routing, plus the ability with the wheelchair) for Philly would be to see what parking is available by the Aquarium on the NJ side, and taking the ferry across (about a 15 min ride).

I seem to remember that having open parking (but it was a number of years ago, so definitely check).

[Mark Sedenquist]

.
We are driving from AR to NYC this mid-July

For the Sprinter Van and the trailer, you might be able to park at the RV park at the New Jersey ferry -- directly across from Manhattan. I used to park our 4-WD rigs there when I was doing events.

It is called the Liberty Harbor RV Park -- and home to a favorite restaurant.
More information here from RTA.


And here is the park information.

Mark

[Partyof4]

I haven't been on this forum in years but just now happened on your post, ScottDanaDutch. I hope I'm not too late, but if you want to be WOWED by an exotic car collection then check out www.duncanimports.com along your route in Christiansburg, VA. It is only about 90 seconds off of I-81, exit 118C. Open M-F, normal business hours and Saturday 9-2 (it looks like). Should be only about 3.5-4 hour drive from Knoxville. Nice folks there, too.

You could also, per AZBuck, pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway, but starting in Roanoke.