Cross Country Trip Rt. 80 West to East and back

[Steven M]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I highly recommend EZ-Pass, seamless tolls and payments......

Jim, the problem with tolls isn't paying them, though EZ-Pass or in my case I-Pass is the easy way to go, it's the cost. A 75 cent toll is around $3.75 with the trailer in Illinois. The toll doubles without an EZ-Pass or I-Pass

Originally Posted by Disneyfan

Hi Steven!
Nice of you to share your cross-country travel experience with us. Looks like there will be no getting around tolls on Interstate/Turnpike. Glad to know that the sites along I80 will be something to keep my eyes open for
Thanks again,
Mary (Disneyfan) & Rick

My pleasure to be of some assistance. As noted above by Jim/CPAHarley if you can open an account with EZ-Pass. You can do this online and they'll send you the transponder to place in your car. Just make sure that you give them both plate to you tow vehicle and the trailer

[cpaharley2008]

My pleasure to be of some assistance. As noted above by Jim/CPAHarley if you can open an account with EZ-Pass. You can do this online and they'll send you the transponder to place in your car. Just make sure that you give them both plate to you tow vehicle and the trailer

Not sure what will happen to me as there was no plate on the trailer coming home and not sure if they could see the truck plate, so "I will have to wait and see" what happens.

[cpaharley2008]

My pleasure to be of some assistance. As noted above by Jim/CPAHarley if you can open an account with EZ-Pass. You can do this online and they'll send you the transponder to place in your car. Just make sure that you give them both plate to you tow vehicle and the trailer

Not sure what will happen to me as there was no plate on the trailer coming home and not sure if they could see the truck plate, so "I will have to wait and see" what happens.

[splitting_lanes]

So, is EZ pass a national system?

We have some kinda EZ pass system here in California, but I’ve managed to avoid buying the transponder by staying out of the commuter lanes when appropriate, and the bridges all have cameras to get the vehicle license plate. I have the plates on all our vehicles linked to a system.


Am I going to have to finally break down and get a transponder? If anyone can supply a link to a national system I should register with to go coast to coast on 80 (mostly) I’d be grateful.

I guess I should google map the route between Chicago and New Jersey, then Pennsylvania too see what roads are toll and try to get an estimate of cost.

So far, I’m guesstimating about $1k a week, for 5.5 weeks. Mostly diesel fuel


Rick & Mary. (I’m the Rick part)

[cpaharley2008]

E‑ZPass is an electronic toll collection system used on toll roads, toll bridges and toll tunnels in the Midwestern United States, Eastern United States and Southern United States. Wikipedia

Will it work on the Golden Gate Bridge? I have no idea, perhaps someone from California can respond?

[Viajante]

Originally Posted by splitting_lanes

So, is EZ pass a national system?

We have some kinda EZ pass system here in California, but I’ve managed to avoid buying the transponder by staying out of the commuter lanes when appropriate, and the bridges all have cameras to get the vehicle license plate. I have the plates on all our vehicles linked to a system.


Am I going to have to finally break down and get a transponder? If anyone can supply a link to a national system I should register with to go coast to coast on 80 (mostly) I’d be grateful.

I guess I should google map the route between Chicago and New Jersey, then Pennsylvania too see what roads are toll and try to get an estimate of cost.

So far, I’m guesstimating about $1k a week, for 5.5 weeks. Mostly diesel fuel


Rick & Mary. (I’m the Rick part)

Illinois, at least part of Indiana, PA tollway all advertise the pay by plate option. I’ve used it in Illinois and it worked fine, you just have to create an account. No transponder needed.

[cpaharley2008]

That is a lot of fuel. Perhaps for 7 days but we just returned from Chilliwack/Osoyoos and our fuel avg about $200/day. But with increases in gas price it may reach $1k/week.....

[splitting_lanes]

Originally Posted by Viajante

Illinois, at least part of Indiana, PA tollway all advertise the pay by plate option. I’ve used it in Illinois and it worked fine, you just have to create an account. No transponder needed.

Thanks, I’ll look into adding our plates to those systems.

[Rockhead]

We just got back from a trip to the north rim Grand Canyon and Brice canyon. Spent $1200.00 on fuel. Trip was from DFW area n back.

[splitting_lanes]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

That is a lot of fuel. Perhaps for 7 days but we just returned from Chilliwack/Osoyoos and our fuel avg about $200/day. But with increases in gas price it may reach $1k/week.....

Our total trip will be around 6k miles. On days we drive, 20 or so days, we’ll use a $120 tank of fuel and then some. So I’m figuring $2.5k on fuel, total. Then food and camping fees will make up the rest.

For almost a week we’ll be parked in Hazleton, PA visiting family, what area of PA are you in?

[cpaharley2008]

Hazelton is about 2 hours away, it is known for it's dark skies according to local astronomers.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by splitting_lanes

So, is EZ pass a national system?

We have some kinda EZ pass system here in California, but I’ve managed to avoid buying the transponder by staying out of the commuter lanes when appropriate, and the bridges all have cameras to get the vehicle license plate. I have the plates on all our vehicles linked to a system.


Am I going to have to finally break down and get a transponder? If anyone can supply a link to a national system I should register with to go coast to coast on 80 (mostly) I’d be grateful.

I guess I should google map the route between Chicago and New Jersey, then Pennsylvania too see what roads are toll and try to get an estimate of cost.

So far, I’m guesstimating about $1k a week, for 5.5 weeks. Mostly diesel fuel


Rick & Mary. (I’m the Rick part)

Yes & no. I know there is at least one bridge in Michigan that doesn't take it...

[Lorraine Pittsburgh]

Hello Disneyfan,

Sounds like you're headed for a great adventure.

You might consider a day or two at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, off of I-80 in Ohio. Spending much of my life in various parts of PA, I always thought of OH as flat & boring, but this is a little gem. Though less Wow Factor here than at places like the Grand Canyon, it has something for everyone: hiking, local history, kayaking, & lovely scenery. We weren't camping during our visit here, so can't recommend a campground.

Have a safe trip!

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by splitting_lanes

So, is EZ pass a national system?

If your State doesn't offer E Z Pass, you can buy it from any State. Many States have annual or monthly fees E Z Pass fees. A few States do not. Those States are the best ones to buy your E Z Pass from.

Currently, Delaware appears to be the best place to get your E Z Pass.

Wikipedia E-ZPass

[Padre]

I'm not far from Hazleton...
Short drive away a very nice spot is Boulder Field in Hickory Run SP.
Highly recommended: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hickory_Run_State_Park
Also, burgers farm for fresh produce is close: 371 Saint Johns Rd, Drums, PA 18222
Nice meal and setting at Sand Springs Golf Course: https://www.sandspringsgolf.com/
Padre

[cpaharley2008]

Maybe later this summer we can plan on camping there.....it about 2.5 hours from me.

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Hazelton is about 2 hours away, it is known for it's dark skies according to local astronomers.

Interesting. We have often stopped in Hazelton overnight on the way to and from Virginia, where daughter's family lives. The lights from the motel parking lots generally drown out the sky.

If we're camping we sometimes stay overnight at Locust Lake State Park, down I81 near Frackville. One time there was an amazing starry display—but it turned out to be a neighboring camper who was projecting starlights onto the trees.

[splitting_lanes]

Originally Posted by Padre

I'm not far from Hazleton...
Short drive away a very nice spot is Boulder Field in Hickory Run SP.
Highly recommended: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hickory_Run_State_Park
Also, burgers farm for fresh produce is close: 371 Saint Johns Rd, Drums, PA 18222
Nice meal and setting at Sand Springs Golf Course: https://www.sandspringsgolf.com/
Padre

We’ll be moochdocking in the Hazleton area, Sugarloaf, or Drums. We’ll check out the farm for sure!

After Hazleton, we go to Otter lake for a family get together. Otter lake is a fall tradition, but ir seems to be getting too crowded.

[Padre]

Split Lane, you will only be minutes from the farm and Sand Springs. I hope you have a nice stay in NEPA, though the weather doesn't look great.

[splitting_lanes]

We won’t be there until second week in October. We are just planning at this time.