[Cathy & John]

According to the NJ document listing limitations the parkway height limit is 13’6″ which tells me as long as you are that height or less you will have no issues.

[Gerard]

Thanks Jon:

Let me follow-up with another question: Have you or anyone else on this forum ever taken the GW bridge into NY headed for CN? A H3 about 13 feet 4 inches tall? I understand it requires using the upper deck, but what about the I-95 ramp that looks to be 13’9″. What will that do to the antennas?

Same with the Garden State Parkway that has one bridge at 13′ 10″ in the center lane. At 65 mph it might rip the CB antenna off when it hits. ????

[Joe]

I have driven the GW bridge many times in
an XLII and your clearances will not be your problem but keeping your teeth in your
month may. The road is in very bad shape with lots of potholes and traffic no
matter what time of day. Go north to the Tappan Zee its still bad in places but
much nicer over all road conditions and scenery. If you can avoid NYC do so.

Fred

[Larry & Diane]

Thanks! I haven’t done the GWB since 1999 in an XLV. Since then I’ve used the Tappen Zee bridge, but never up the Garden State Parkway with an H3 at 13′ 4″. The last trip a couple of months ago was in a 12′ tall unit and there were several bridges that looked scary with a 13 foot outside lane clearance. I’m going to try it next week in the H3. If you see a real traffic backup on the GSP on the news next week, look for a stuck Prevost unable to back up for miles with all the traffic. 🙂

[Archived]

What Fred said.

The last time over the GW I hit a bump so bad it lifted a closet full of clothes on hangars right off the rod and dropped all the clothes on the floor.

Worst road we have ever been on with a Prevost and never again.

[Rick]

The GardenState Parkway is a good route north to Connecticut ,stay off the GWB and go north to the Tappan Zee Bridge. The Tappan Zee bridge is currently under construction but much better than the George Washington Bridge Route. Stay away from rush hour and friday evenings and you be all right. As you head north on the Garden State Parkway the overpasses in question I think are around the 140’s (exits). Stay in the middle lane and you’ll be just fine. Plenty of H’s travel the GSP and I never remember anyone having a height problem. However, get ready to pay tolls and squeeze thru some narrow toll booths on the Parkway as that is how we keep our taxes low by squeezing every cent out of non residents using our roads. Remember if someone gives you the middle finger as you drive, it is a sign of endearment here in the Garden State. And don’t listen to Jon as no one here in the NY metro area is sorry that he has chosen to boycott our roads.

[Corey]

Oh ya, the Metro delightful digit, don’t leave home without it…

[gary]

Rick is misinterpreting my feelings about the NY/NJ metro area.

Actually I wouldn’t mind spending some time in the area eating pizza and mussels, going to a show, visiting some museums, and sharing the roadways with the locals. As a Secaucus kid it would be nice to go back for a visit.

One of my happiest days however was on April 15, 2000 when I was no longer obligated to send my money to the NY tax collector since I had moved to TN.

[Mike]

We are leaving today for Newport RI from Florida!

My plan is to take the NJ Turnpile as if we were headed to the GW beidge, but to take a westerly turn at I-80 (Ft. Lee area) and then get on 17 to pick up the GSP and on up through NY and across the Tappen Zee bridge. I think we’ll miss most of the lowest clearance bridges this way. I’ve never done the trip this way before, but then we’ve never had a coach 13′ 4″ tall before.

Any comments or suggestions for or against this route would be appreciated.

[Jerry]

Have done the drive dozens of times in a car and I would absolutely take the Tapan Zee bridge. Once you cross the GW the road is like a combo of an SCCA Autocross course, a roller coaster, and a demolition derby. Hell, I get stressed even in a Suburban and I am no wimp – I drove a big Class-C through Manhattan once.

Personally, If I had the time I would rather go further north and cross in Newburg and head over to Danbury.

If you need any local Newport advice one of my friends grew up and lives there.

[Corey]

We took the New Jersey Turnpike as if we were headed over the George Washington bridge, but then turned west on I-80 and picked up route 17 north. This route bypassed most of the lowest bridges.

Getting on route 17 requires a few turns at intersection to head north and a little mild city traffic, but I think it was worth it. Exit 63 off I-80 gets you to 17. We picked up the GSP from 17 and encountered only one bridge with a 13′ 10″ clearance around mm 165.

When getting on I-80 take the ‘local’ option as the road surface is much better. Either choice, local or thru will give you access to route 17 exit.

I was very surprised at the like-new condition of the NJT headed into NY. There was only one bridge where the CB antenna touched one support around the NY – NJ area, but I can’t remember where.

Traffic, construction, and horrible roads from VA on up made a good part of the trip miserable.