🚀 go-pugleaf

catfood@wam.umd.edu (The usual suspect) writes:

>Hey folks,
>I'm trying to figure out the best route from DC to Boston for my 
>trip this Friday. I'd be really appreciative if someone could give a little
>assistance in the following areas:

>1) Best route

Depends on the time.  If you can leave after 6 PM, take I-95 north, then 
in Delaware, take I-295 to NJ, then the NJ Tpk to its end, where it 
rejoins I-95 to cross the GW Bridge to NY, and continue on I-95 to 
Beantown.  

If you are going during anything approaching rush hour for Wilmington,
N.Y.C., or Hartford, however, this is not a good route.  (Baltimore rush
hour can't be bypassed very well from here, unfortunately.  The only
alternatives are the Bay Bridge and going west to I-81, neither of which
is very quick.)

Here are some tips:

Traffic on I-95 north of Baltimore can get very slow at various times, 
particularly on the stretch crossing the Rapahannock River.  If traffic 
is at all slow when you see the signs for the "White Marsh" exit, TURN 
OFF and take US 40, which parallels I-95; I-95 only gets worse after this 
exit.  US 40 has a 55 speed limit, few cops, and a traffic light or two 
every 5 miles.  It moves right along, and rejoins I-95 in Delaware.  This 
route is the secret to Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday travel!

Once in Delaware, you have little choice but to slog it through to I-295,
the road across the Delaware Memorial Bridge.  After getting into NJ, if
traffic is bad, stay off the NJ Tpk for a while and take I-295, which
parallels it.  Around Bordentown, get off onto US 130 and follow it a
couple miles to I-195, which will take you to the NJ Tpk at Exit 7A.  You
can try staying on US 130 longer (it parallels the Tpk) and then getting
on US 1, but I have found this usually doesn't pay off.

Once in the NYC area, if traffic is bad, it will only be worse on I-95 
through NYC (the Cross-Bronx Expwy and Bruckner Expwy) and on the 
Connecticut Turnpike.  Alternate route:  Saw Mill Parkway and I-684 up to 
I-84, and across to Hartford.  Consult a GOOD map with details of NYC 
area for the connections -- they are not obvious.  There is also an 
alternate route to I-84 via the Tappan Zee Bridge, just north of NJ 
across to Tarrytown, but the details escape me.

If you will be going through the Hartford area during rush hour, stop for 
dinner.  It's impassible.  By the way, there's a free bridge across the 
Connecticut River at Hartford that connects to I-95 at both ends that 
lets you avoid a toll, if you study your map.

North of Hartford, I will let someone else give the hints.

>2) Rush hour times in the various cities on the route

NYC:  12:00:00 am - 11:59:59 pm.  Seriously, I have been in 
bumper-to-bumper traffic in the NYC area well after midnight.  It's not 
always that bad, though.  After 7:30 pm isn't so bad, usually.  Same 
before 7:30 am.  Mid-day might or might not be bad, but I'd try to avoid 
it.  This applies to the extended NY metro area, including NJ north of 
exit 9 on the NJ Tpk and Connecticut through New Haven.

Baltimore, Wilmington, and Hartford:  What you would expect, more or less.

Philadelphia:  The NJ Tpk and I-295 get commuter traffic during the 
typical rush hour, but not a major problem.

>3) Speed trap areas

Any toll road will have more cops than non-toll (ever hear of 
rent-a-cop?).  NJ Tpk -- never exceed 70 and better yet 65-68.  Same on 
the MD, DE, CT, and MA toll roads.  In NYC, you have a fat chance of 
getting near the speed limits, most times.  If you do, stay a bit slower 
than the fastest cars and you should be OK.  I-95 from DC to Baltimore 
typically will have a speed trap or two; keep at 65 or so and they are 
unlikely to look at you.  I have rarely seen speed traps on I-295 in NJ, 
except during heavy traffic.  Always keep your eyes open for 'em, though.

>4) Major construction areas

Someone else will have to help here.

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