Advice for getting through NYC from Boston

[bluenosemickey]

Just wanting advice on which route to get by NYC from Boston area on the way to FL.

1. I495 around Boston to the 90, the 84 to Danbury and then the 684 to 287 and over the Tappan Zee Bridge and onward to the NJTP and then to the 95 again.

2. I495 again to the 90, the 84 and then to the 8 at Waterbury and down to the 95 around Stratford, then follow the 95 straight through to the GW bridge and onward to the 95 again.

We have only followed the 95 and the GW bridge before but are getting advice to stay more NW and go over the Tappan Zee for better traffic flow and less congestion. It may depend on what time of day we are going to be getting through there??

Thanks in advance for any tips.

The rest of the trip is pretty straight forward for us, we just never know what to do about NYC.

[Flight]

This is a route we have taken dozens of times:

Mass Pike/90
84
684
287 Tappen Zee Bridge
Garden State Parkway

If traveling on a weekday, avoid 287/Tappen Zee around rush hour in the afternoon and early evening. The Garden State Parkway will also be a mess.

Non-rush our times, you will not encounter any difficulties along the entire route, and it is a prettier drive than Rt 95.

[francie57]

Take the 84 to 684 to 287 over the bridge. Avoid 95 in CT at all costs since is always a mess as well as 95 in NY. You can also take the Saw Mill Parkway off of 684 (around exit 5) and then pick-up 287 from there. Will save you some miles.

[rflorek]

Originally Posted by Flight

This is a route we have taken dozens of times:

Mass Pike/90
84
684
287 Tappen Zee Bridge
Garden State Parkway

Just remember that you will have to get off the Garden State Parkway at some point (probably around exit 130 or so for the NJ Turnpike. Otherwise you will end up on the Jersey shore instead of on your way to FL!!

[bluenosemickey]

Thanks a bunch for the quick advice

[bicker]

We've started even avoiding 84 on the way down, taking the Mass Pike (90) to the NYS Thruway (87). That even avoids the Tappan Zee, and it only adds a half hour to the trip, usually -- avoiding all the traffic, and enjoying an overall prettier ride, is worth it to us.

[bluenosemickey]

We looked at that too. Might need to consider it depending on the time we go through.

[artesian]

Mass Pike/90
84
684
287 Tappen Zee Bridge
Garden State Parkway


PP is correct. I've driven this many many times and this is the best way to go

[LidoDeck]

We've driven it many times and my sister does so every year. We all prefer just going through NYC but do so in the wee hours. I take 95 from CT to NJ, over the GW Bridge. As long as it's 1am to 5am, it's much faster than going around and avoiding the city.

Do you have a GPS? If not, that would be an excellent Christmas gift!

[GranddadTom]

In my opinion, how I approach New York City depends on the day of the week and the time of day. I’m not a local so if someone from the area has a better plan, I’m all ears. When I make the trip its from Washington and to Massachusetts and back. Coming from the north, if it’s a workday and I think I’ll be at the GW Bridge between 3:00pm and 8:00pm (or 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Sundays) I just swing totally around New York City and take I-84 across the Newburgh Bridge, over to Scranton, down I-81 to I-83 to I-95. In the wintertime you have to be very, very careful if you go this way because the roads in Pennsylvania are not well tended to if it becomes icy. Check the weather forecast to be sure it has been clear for at least a day. This way is not without its problems (Danbury for one). At other times, I like to take Rt 15 (very curvy) all the way to Rt 287; then before I get to the Tappan Zee Bridge, I go down I-87 (which becomes the Major Deegan Expressway). This takes you right to the base of the George Washington Bridge. From there you crawl up a spiral ramp to the Bridge and onto the New Jersey Turnpike and you are through New York City. In the wintertime, when I drive to Florida I like to stay as close to the coast as I can (i.e. I-95) because the temperatures are warmer there than in the mountains.