billh491
join:2001-08-09
Pomfret Center, CT
 ·Metrocast Communic..
| Travel advice
As I often due this time of year I am heading south for a vacation. I avoid NYC and take the Tapanzee to the Garden State parkway and points south. In the past as I live near 395 in the NE part of the state. I would take it to 95 then 287 and over the Hudson. After a while I grow tired of 95 and the last few times I have taken back roads to 84 then 684 to 287. I don't think it adds many miles but they are easy miles as there is less traffic.
But I got to looking at taking 84 to 91 south to 15 the Wilbur Cross/Merritt/Hutchinson parkway. Again not much difference in the mileage but it is a road I have never been on. It is a historic and scenic road and there are no trucks. The only thing I do not know is how the traffic is.
So here is the question on Friday at 3:30pm I am just about to enter Hartford on 84 heading west do I stay on it and head to Danbury and 684 or take 91 south and give the parkway a try? Baring an accident which would have less traffic do you think? |
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orion940
A PITA for over 50 years
Premium
join:2001-12-23
Windsor, CT
edit:
April 3rd, @07:12AM
| 91 would be easier navigation I would think. Traffic would be about the same, but I find 84 to suck no matter when you go.
Have a great time!
O.
--
In Windsor CT, Home of The Decorative Zamboni |
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tito
join:2006-07-03
Waterford, CT | reply to billh491
You should have gone down the same time as I did in February, you would have avoided that messy storm this area got! |
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gregamy
join:2003-05-22
Middletown, CT
| reply to billh491
Where "points south" are you going?
I tow the race car down to Summit Point WVA (near Winchester VA on I-81), Virginia Intl Raceway (southwest of Richmond) several times, and Road Atlanta (Atlanta) several times a year. Invariably, no matter when we plan to leave, we always end up around "rush" (I've given up trying.)
We've tried them all: I-84, I-95, I-287, GWB, Tappan Zee, etc, etc, etc. The absolute BEST way that I've found to consistently get to "points south" with minimal traffic and maximum speed is I-84 West to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, then I-91 south from there. You'll hit traffic in Waterbury, and again in Danbury, but that traffic PALES in comparison to Fairfield and Westchester County traffic, not to mention everything in NYC. The 84/91 drive is a few miles more, but once you get west of Danbury - especially west of the Throughway - it's always smooth and speedy traffic.
I'll *never* take the GWB again, and I'll ONLY take the Tappan Zee on sunny Sundays (using 78 to get to 91). All other trips it's "hello PA!" (plus, there's a lot of good stops in PA to stock up on my Yeungling fix...) - GA |
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DrStrange
Technically feasible
Premium
join:2001-07-23
West Hartford, CT
 ·magicjack.com
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| said by gregamy  :Where "points south" are you going?
We've tried them all: I-84, I-95, I-287, GWB, Tappan Zee, etc, etc, etc. The absolute BEST way that I've found to consistently get to "points south" with minimal traffic and maximum speed is I-84 West to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, then I-91 south from there. You'll hit traffic in Waterbury, and again in Danbury, but that traffic PALES in comparison to Fairfield and Westchester County traffic, not to mention everything in NYC. The 84/91 drive is a few miles more, but once you get west of Danbury - especially west of the Throughway - it's always smooth and speedy traffic.
You mean 84 to 81, right?
I couldn't agree more about the GWB. |
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gregamy
join:2003-05-22
Middletown, CT
| said by DrStrange :said by gregamy : You mean 84 to 81, right? Yup, of course...not 91 south... |
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billh491
join:2001-08-09
Pomfret Center, CT | reply to billh491
This time I am going to South Carolina. I am happy with my plan once I get to 287. My only question which is the better way to get to 287 from East Hartford 84 west to 684 or 91 south to 15 west. |
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gregamy
join:2003-05-22
Middletown, CT
| said by billh491 :I am happy with my plan once I get to 287. i.e., "I'm happy with my plan as long as New York's population on a Friday during afternoon rush suddenly goes to zero..."
To each his own...
said by billh491 : My only question which is the better way to get to 287 from East Hartford... I recommend 84W to the Newburgh Bridge, then 87 South to 287. But it really seems you've already go it in your head to go through NYC, so there's really not much I can do to help...choosing the Merritt versus I-95 versus 684 is truly a decision of 6 of one, half-dozen of another, 3 + 3 of the last one...
Enjoy the tolls down I-95; the one at the Delaware Memorial is a bitch... |
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gregamy
join:2003-05-22
Middletown, CT
| Just out of curiosity (and to make sure I wasn't just being a little bitch) I used my fav program to map the route. From Hartford to Columbia SC:
- via I-95 across the GWB (shortest route), I-95 to Richmond, I-85 to Charlotte, then I-77 to Columbia, 819.51 miles.
- via I-84 to Wilkes-Barre, I-81 south to I-77 to Columbia, 878.00 miles.
60 miles longer, and any route other than I-95 and the GWb decreases that difference. But, mucho less traffic and ~$25 EACH WAY less in tolls through the DC/Baltimore area. And, all it's gonna take is one 30-minute, 30 mph traffic jam in NYC (which you ARE going to get) to make it even in time. Plus wider open highways, less traffic (the I-95 corridor really sucks) more truck stops for "Stuff". And you don't have to drive through Jersey.
An easy call for me. Especially the Jersey part.
I'm done, no more nagging. - GA |
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billh491
join:2001-08-09
Pomfret Center, CT
·Metrocast Communic..
| reply to billh491
OK thanks for the input as you say the route in CT getting to 287 is of no matter they are all as fast.
I knew the routes in or around NYC can cause much debate thus the reason why I wanted to set the tone that I was fine with my route after I get on 287 just was wondering how 15 would be for getting there instead of 84. |
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Grumpy
Premium
join:2001-07-28
99999
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edit:
April 5th, @03:24AM
| reply to billh491
Just for sake of conversation -- Having run 95 from CT to DC many hundreds of times over the years -- Another vote for 81 south. Well worth the extra miles. It's like comparing Heaven to Hell.
Chances of delays past Brewster are slim to none, half the traffic congestion, scenic views, and plentiful places to stop when necessary.
The Joisy Pike & South - The Lincoln Tunnel trick only goes so far. I figure a minimum of one hour (if you're lucky) in a six lane parking lot at any point along the way, including the single digit exits, which is how I justify the extra I 81 mileage.
Then there's the Balmore tunnels & the DC Beltway... |
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disy
join:2003-01-02
Norwalk, CT
| reply to billh491
If you are traveling south on the parkway on a friday afternoon, you'll be okay and it is a nice ride. (DO NOT TRY GOING NORTH) However, when you get to NY and it turns into the Hutch, I recommend going 287 over the Tapanzee (this is where you are going to hit traffic, but less than if you try to get to the GWB). If at all possible, try to plan it so you are going over the Tapanzee by 4:30 p.m. any later than that and it can be complete chaos. |
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billh491
join:2001-08-09
Pomfret Center, CT
·Metrocast Communic..
| reply to billh491
Disy thanks for the input. I plan on being there right around 4:30. Maybe I will try and leave a little earlier. But I know that is going to be my biggest problem at least there is no toll on that side.
As far as taking the 84-81 I would need to take 64 I think back to Richmond VA as where I am going is Myrtle beach and Google says it would add 150 miles. I would have to sit in two hours of traffic to make that up. |
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disconnected
@snet.net
| reply to billh491
Do you have the option to leave very early in the morning, and on a Sunday?
When I drove to Florida, I left the house at 6am and made it from Litchfield county, CT to Maryland's rest stop in 5 hours. I made the Tappan Zee in 90 minutes from the house.
Driving in the northeast during the day time is a prescription for aggravation. |
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billh491
join:2001-08-09
Pomfret Center, CT
·Metrocast Communic..
| reply to billh491
gregamy I was sitting here rereading your post and I have never taken 287 past the GS Parkway and I had no idea it looped around Northern NJ and landed back at the NJ turnpike just below where the GSP hits the turnpike.
Google says it will add 35 miles going 84 to 87 to 287 to NJTP instead of my 84 to 684 to 287 to GSP to NJTP. As I will be leaving 2 hours later then normal I will be at the Tapanzee right at 5pm on a Friday so I am strongly considering your route.
Thanks for pointing it out. |
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ThirdShifter
Premium
join:2002-03-16
Vernon Rockville, CT
·Comcast
edit:
April 15th, @11:47PM
| reply to billh491
Go through GWB, only if you would pass it before 7a.m.
Once you're on the NJ turnpike, it should be smooth sailing.
At 3:30PM? Heading south is just a mistake and be prepared to get stuck for an extra 2 hr minimum.
--
Saya anak malaysia |
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billh491
join:2001-08-09
Pomfret Center, CT
·Metrocast Communic..
| reply to billh491
Well I went the 84-87-287-NJTP and had no traffic was crossing the Hudson at 5pm. On the way home today I tried the GSparkway to 287 to Merritt Parkway. Over all it was good except for the 20 minute backup at RT8 for all the rubberneckers looking at a crash on the other side! I thought that only happened in the south. |
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