Drive I-​95: No exit left behind

Published on Friday, 03 December 2010 23:54

Written by Randy Garbin

With the hey-​day of the printed travel guide now fading distantly into our rear view mirrors, I consider a book such as Drive I-​95 with a measure of curiosity. Having recently put another 3000 miles on my car traveling back roads and interstates, I found greater utility in my iPhone than in any printed map or guide. Then again, I’ve always resisted relying upon someone else’s suggestions during my travels.

Looking through the latest edition of Drive I-​95 by the Posners, Stan and Sandra, I come away impressed by its comprehensive nature and its good-​natured tone. When I think road trip, the thought of driving down Interstate 95 inspires about as much joyous anticipation as a trip to the dentist, but just try avoiding the road when attempting a trek down the eastern seaboard. Well, actually, I think about that all the time, and I spend an inordinate amount of time planning alternate routes.

Not the Posners. I-​95 is the main attraction of their guide, and rather than have you wander around in a panic looking for a good place to eat or sleep, they’ve augmented your Rand-​McNally with what you’ll find within a few miles of the exits. The first section displays actual schematic maps followed by a lengthy section with more detail about what you might find.

Anyone who picks this will probably head straight to the part of the book that covers familiar territory, and as a long-​time resident of the New England and Pennsylvania, I immediately fact-​checked. Sadly, I found a host of errors, particularly whenever I found mentions of particular diners. The Red Wing Diner in Walpole, Massachusetts is not a Worchester club car and the Club Diner in Belmawr, New Jersey was not built in 1946. The Posners also give an inordinate amound of credit to Morris Nathanson in their description of the Johnson and Wales Culinary Museum for the look of what we know as the diner. No one thinks more of Morris’s talents as a restaurant architect than me, but the Posners’ effusiveness seems to get the better of them at times. I see these things, and frankly, it makes me wonder when they last took the trip.

This book otherwise features a very smart and car-​friendly layout, and it does an excellent job finding something of interest off of just about every exit. Now in its sixth printing since 2003, plenty of people have found it indispensable in their travels.

You’ll find more about this handy guide at the website, http://​drivei95​.com/.

Drive I-​95

by Stan Posner and Sandra Phillips-​Posner
$23.95
Travelsmart, Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec, Canada

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