NESHOC Convention Caravan 2011

[Mr Anonymous]

We'll be leaving from the parking lot of the Cracker Barrel on Rte. 20 in Sturbridge (exit 3A off I-84) at 4AM Sunday morning 7/17. With food and fuel stops we should get to the hotel in Charlotte between 5-6PM.

We will be taking I-84 to I-81 to I-77. It's a little longer than going I-95, but should take less time, will only have a single $1.00 toll on the way home, and most importantly has a lot less construction and potential for traffic jams.

I'll start the list now, and just reply if you're going to be joining us at Cracker Barrel or meeting us along the way. If I've put you on the list and you're not joining us also let me know.

1. Chris A.
2. Don Antonio
3. James
4. Fro
5. Paul
6. Chris P. (Meeting in CT on I-84 near Exit 66)
7. Bill (Meeting in W. Hazelton, PA @ I-81 Exit 145)
8. Hamal (Meeting in W. Hazelton, @ PA I-81 Exit 145)
9. Fonz (Meeting in W. Hazelton, @ PA I-81 Exit 145)

 

[SHOclass]

I will coordinate meeting up with the caravan on I-84. It will probably be easier if someone could call me when your leaving Kirk's or when your close to exit 66 on I-84, instead of me driving the opposite direction or the caravan making an unnecessary stop so soon. If there is another option, or this isn't the plan please let me know.

I just posted this on the other caravan thread, but this one looks more official. Also Chris, you can add another Chris, to your list.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I will coordinate meeting up with the caravan on I-84. It will probably be easier if someone could call me when your leaving Kirk's or when your close to exit 66 on I-84, instead of me driving the opposite direction or the caravan making an unnecessary stop so soon. If there is another option, or this isn't the plan please let me know.

I just posted this on the other caravan thread, but this one looks more official. Also Chris, you can add another Chris, to your list.

I knew there was someone from last year I couldn't remember off the top of my head!

Shouldn't be a problem to call or text you once we're on the road.

 

[medgraphsho]

I knew there was someone from last year I couldn't remember off the top of my head!

Shouldn't be a problem to call or text you once we're on the road.

Same here for me.... I have to go up North, to travel back south.... I can just follow route 95... I planned on leaving 5:30-6am anyway which would put me at 5-6pm charlotte.... I expect to fill up twice and no bathroom breaks for me.. I just *** my pants!!! :swing:

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Same here for me.... I have to go up North, to travel back south.... I can just follow route 95... I planned on leaving 5:30-6am anyway which would put me at 5-6pm charlotte.... I expect to fill up twice and no bathroom breaks for me.. I just *** my pants!!! :swing:

LOL! Sadly, you would not be the first person to *** his pants en route to a SHO convention...

You can go I-95, but joining us means no tolls (well, $1 on the Newburgh Bridge coming back) and probably the most important thing: traveling in a group in case of breakdown, etc.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Okie dokie... Slight change in plans...

I spoke with Kirk today and he reminded me that he is actually leaving for SC on Wednesday morning to attend a family function and will be meeting us in Charlotte on Sunday.

So I've apparently inherited responsibility for getting the group to Charlotte safely. You may want to book a flight.

We also have a special guest joining us as the one and only Don Antonio will be flying in to pick up his car and then drive down with us.

I've changed the meeting place to the Cracker Barrel in Sturbridge. There's a 24-hour gas station and convenience store there so anyone needing food/fuel/etc. should be set. The first post has been edited to reflect the changes.

 

[lowc]

sounds good! i think they will actually be better for me rather than having to drive to his place and meet everyone.

 

[medgraphsho]

Will there be a stop on Ct along the way? Just let me know a convenient place

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Will there be a stop on Ct along the way? Just let me know a convenient place

There's not any planned stops in CT for food/fuel/*****, but we'll certainly stop long enough to join up with you or anyone else. Just pick an exit or rest area or whatever that works for you as long as it's pretty easy to get off and back on 84 then that will work out fine. Last year heading out to Dearborn Chris P met us at one of the service plazas on the Mass Pike which was a breeze.

 

[medgraphsho]

If I were to leave 6am from Stratford CT and follow 95S - 78W to 81S - 77S I could probably meet up near harrisburg PA where 78W meets 81S. That would be a 4 hour ride for me and a good opportunity for short rest, coffee , bathroom, maybe even gas as it could be cheaper there than northeast. Are you taking 2-way radios?

 

[frosho]

I'm sure we will be. I'll probably have a spare, as long as I can find it.

 

[lowc]

I'm sure we will be. I'll probably have a spare, as long as I can find it.

I may take you up on that spare if you can find it

 

[thebigjimsho]

If I were to leave 6am from Stratford CT and follow 95S - 78W to 81S - 77S I could probably meet up near harrisburg PA where 78W meets 81S. That would be a 4 hour ride for me and a good opportunity for short rest, coffee , bathroom, maybe even gas as it could be cheaper there than northeast. Are you taking 2-way radios?

If you were to meet up with us in CT instead, I would suggest Exit 8 at the Fast Freddie's gas station. Easy off/on, a Dunkins and a decent bathroom...

 

[Mr Anonymous]

If I were to leave 6am from Stratford CT and follow 95S - 78W to 81S - 77S I could probably meet up near harrisburg PA where 78W meets 81S. That would be a 4 hour ride for me and a good opportunity for short rest, coffee , bathroom, maybe even gas as it could be cheaper there than northeast. Are you taking 2-way radios?

Just plotted it out and if we leave Sturbridge on time, we'll be at the I-81/I-78 merge at about 9:00AM. We'll have already gassed up at about 8 @ $3.39 (today anyway) in Hazleton, PA. If you want to meet up with us you might want to think about leaving a little earlier or we could try to hook up at our next gas/lunch stop at about noon in Staunton, VA.

I'll be posting the route I've laid out later on tonight so that should give you an idea where we'll be and when.

We will be using FRS radios.

 

[sho_ted]

i can nt leave until 3 pm sunday, i have a car show i commited to help judge.

 

[SHODWN]

For fuel guys..

Everyone is on a budget so, your best bet is to fuel at exit 1 in NY on 84, the gas station (Chris you will remember when you see it) its in NJ about 1/4 mile off the highway. You will save by fueling in NJ, that tank should get you to exit 323 in VA where the is a Flying J plaza there.. Va and Nj have the cheapest fuel. I just barely squeak in there with my truck and trailer the SHO's should be about the same.

the difference in fueling this way normally pays for my lunch..

Also at exit 77 in VA on I-81, IIRC thats where you will be picking up I-77 to head into Charlotte are a few more truck stops/ auto plazas and it also is just with in range or right about for the SHO. There is also a loves about 20 or so miles before the interchange if running short..

Im not to sure about fuel in NC, as I dont go that way but once a year..

Chris there is also a popeyes in the Winchester Va area, around exit 318-ish.

 

[SHOCH]

Soooooo, I don't get to spoon with the Don in Kentuky?

 

[thebigjimsho]

Popeyes has Coke now!

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Here's the route I've put together. Basically it's three ~280 mile legs with two fuel stops which should easily be within everyone's range. I tried to pick fuel stops with the best prices and proximity to restaurants, etc.

4:00AM/0 Miles:

Cracker Barrel
215 Charlton Rd
Sturbridge, MA 01566


8:00AM/273 Miles:

Sunoco [I-81 Exit 145]
58 State Route 93 (Valmont Pkwy)
West Hazleton, PA 18201

Fuel Prices as of 7/3: $3.39/regular


12:00PM/561 Miles (Leg=288mi):

Lunch:

[I-81 Exit 222: Richmond Ave]

Burger King 1034 Richmond Ave
McDonald's 1028 Richmond Ave
Quiznos 1028 Richmond Ave
Subway 1028 Richmond Ave
Chili's 1025 Richmond Ave
Five Guys 1013 Richmond Ave

Fuel:

Sheetz
1250 Richmond Rd
Staunton, VA 24401

Fuel Prices as of 7/3: $3.32/regular

(Plan on leaving Sheetz at 1:00PM/1 hour after getting off I-81)

5:00PM/838 Miles (Leg=277mi):

Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotels
2800 Coliseum Centre Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217

Click here for the route in Google Maps.

FWIW, I was originally leaning towards Kirk's suggestion of the Citgo at Exit 1 in NJ, but after checking their price on GasBuddy, they really aren't any better than what we're paying in MA right now (plus it would have meant 3 fuel stops instead of 2).

Chris P. and Bill T. if you could let me know when/where you plan to meet us so I can include those stops that would be great.

The lunch stop there's a bunch of restaurants so everyone can either go out on their own and meet at Sheetz around ~12:55PM or go one place together if everyone can agree. I'm leaning towards Quiznos or Five Guys myself.

One final note: I'm still not 100% sure if I'm going to be able to afford to go the convention or not, and if I do go whether I'll drive my car or hitch a ride with Tony or maybe Fro since Tony doesn't have A/C. I probably won't know for sure until the Monday before we leave. If I don't go I'm sure James can get everyone there safely.

 

[Vnuk1]

Popeyes has Coke now!