🚀 go-pugleaf

Michael D. Sullivan (mds@access1.digex.net) wrote:
: 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.  

: 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.

				<see below>

: 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.

First of all, you can avoid Hartford all together if you're heading to 
Boston!  I would just take I-95 straight up through CT and RI...

Here's what I would do:

I-95 north through Baltimore... up, up and away over the Tydings bridge 
(still in MD), through Delaware, and up to I-295 over the Delaware 
Memorial Bridge.  From there, catch the NJ Turnpike.  I've taken it at 
7:00 PM with few problems, especially at the southern to middle sections.

THEN:  get off at Exit 11:  The Garden State Parkway. It should be about
$2.40 toll from the Delaware Mem. Bridge to this point on the Turnpike. 
Take the GS Parkway North.  There will be four 35 cent spread throughout. 
From 3 to 6 PM, traffic can slow down quite a bit near exit 145 or so
(consider you will be getting on at about exit 125 and off at exit 170),
but you'll survive.  The road will end just over the NY state line at
I-87/287.  By the way, there is a Mobil station on the median strip of the
GS Parkway RIGHT BEFORE you enter New York.  Keep in mind that New York
and Connecticut gas prices are FAR more than NJ prices.  Anyway, take I-87
SOUTH/I-287 EAST over the Tappan Zee Bridge.  This will come up in about 5
miles, at which you'll pay a $2.50 toll. When I-87 and I-287 divide, take 
I-287 EAST, aka the "Cross Westchester Expy."  Take that till it ends at 
I-95, and get on I-95 North.  You'll be right at the CT state line.

From here, I have been comfortable taking I-95 all the way up to Boston.  
There are no tolls and it's mostly smooth sailing.  Skip the Hartford 
route; it's aggravation not needed.

Hope that helps!

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	"The Lord sent me... the Lord blows my trumpet."  -- The Commitments
Mike Scheinberg is mikesch@wam.umd.edu at the Univ. of MD - College Park.
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