ALB Airport/traffic info needed

[Rpsemont]

We're flying out of ALB instead of BDL in two weeks.
We have to be at ALB at around 6PM to catch a 7PM flight. We'll be coming from the "Berkshire Extension" (I90 - Massachusetts) I'm a little worried about having to get thrugh Albany between 4:30-6PM How is the traffic that time of day. Do we need to allow alot of extra time? We could go either I87 or I90. I'd rather pay tolls than take extra time.
I have a fellow worker who flies out of ABL that quite frequently, and said it's great and easy; but he usually flies out at 6:30 AM and back 10PM so can't speak to a "rush hour" time.

 

[ducklite]

I would definitely allow at least an extra half an hour. The traffic coming out of the downtown area headed north on the Northway (I-87) or 787 is just terrible during rush hour.

Also I'm not sure that I'd cut it close with only an hour at the airport. I'd probably plan for 75-90 minutes unless you aren't checking bags and have your boarding pass printed. My experience with security at ALB was that they were unorganized and on a real power trip.

Anne

 

[DavidOH]

Good Afternoon

I live in the Albany area and travel that way everyday to get home. during that time frame traffic usually slows down about Exit 5 to about 30-40mph and sometimes more as you exit to the Northway(I87). On the Northway it again can slow down to 30-40mph. This generally startes occuring about 4:30. At 4 it flows pretty smoothly. You don't say what day of the week you will be travelling but Fridays are particullarly bad and the backup starts even earlier due to the Exit 24 interchange.

I would also recommend taking I90 all the way to I87 and avoiding the Berksire Spur part of the Trhuway.

I hope this makes sense. If not let me know.

David

 

[Rpsemont]

Thanks for the feedback. We'll be travelling on Monday (4/16). OUr flight leaves at just after 7PM, so I figure boarding at 6:40 and will plan for arrival at 5:30. DH will drop off DD and I, we check luggage, and then he will circle around and park the car in the short term lot and catch the shuttle. He does not carry anything through security. My map program says time needed is 1 hour 40 minutes and routes me I90 (not using the Berkshire spur, going east of downtown albany, past the turnoff for 787) then onto Route 9( Loudon road?) and to I87 SOuth! Does that make sense? Or should I just stay on I90 until I'm west of Albany, then catch I87 north? I'd like to be able to work until 3:30.

Any other tips of roads to avoid or consider if suddenly we find ourselves in a back up?

 

[ducklite]

Thanks for the feedback. We'll be travelling on Monday (4/16). OUr flight leaves at just after 7PM, so I figure boarding at 6:40 and will plan for arrival at 5:30. DH will drop off DD and I, we check luggage, and then he will circle around and park the car in the short term lot and catch the shuttle. He does not carry anything through security. My map program says time needed is 1 hour 40 minutes and routes me I90 (not using the Berkshire spur, going east of downtown albany, past the turnoff for 787) then onto Route 9( Loudon road?) and to I87 SOuth! Does that make sense? Or should I just stay on I90 until I'm west of Albany, then catch I87 north? I'd like to be able to work until 3:30.

Any other tips of roads to avoid or consider if suddenly we find ourselves in a back up?

Most airlines want you in the gate area 30 minutes prior to boarding these days, so you might want to arrive a little earlier.

That route makes sense, but there are better ways. I'd take 90 East to 87 north to Route 155 and follow the signs to the airport--it's on Route 155 about 3/4 mile or so from the Northway. If you make good time you can get off onto Wolf Road and grab some fast food, the north end of Wolf Road intersects with 155, so you would go left to get to the airport if you do this. (It's clearly marked with signs.)

Regardless of which way you go, you need to add an extra 20-30 minutes to Mapquests time to account for the heavy traffic you will hit. Not might--will.

The other options if there's a backup will probably be equally congested. 90 to 787 to Route 7 West to 87 South to 155 would be another option.

The other options are going to be local roads that I wouldn't try unless I was familiar with the area and involve things like cutting through cemetaries and downtown areas. I haven't lived in the Albany area since 1991, and I'm not sure I'd try the local routes these days.

Anne

 

[Rpsemont]

Thanks Anne (great spelling by the way - I'm and Anne, too) and David
I have shared the info with DH and am hearing the agitation in his voice about why he ever agreed to let me do this. His idea of $300 in savings vs drive time and mine are a little different.

He was a bit surprised though, that you both suggested avoiding the Berkshire Spur. He questioned whether "commuters" really use the thruway and wondered why it doesn't make sense to stay on I90 to I87 while you're still well south of the city, and take the thruway around to the northway.


Any suggestions on what I should say?

Thanks
Anne