Alternate Route from Ct

[Candlelady]

Good Evening!

I've ordered my triptik from AAA and had asked for alternate routes from Hartford Ct to avoid having to drive thru NJ and DC during rush hour traffic. Was wondering if anyone else takes these routes. AAA suggested 84 to Scanton, then 81 south to 77 (Charlotte, Columbia) then to 26 then hit 95. OR...

Scranton (84) to 81 south to Fredericksburg Va., then 66, 17 to 95.

She came up with a few others but also told me Scranton will be out of the question if the weather is bad. Was also told that it is about 100 miles farther, but will miss getting stuck in any traffic so the drive time will be about the same.

I'm really nervous about this drive and want to avoid problems at all costs. DH couldn't drive his way out of a paperbag if lost. He seems to have no sense of direction so it will be up to me to do most of the driving till I'm sure he cannot get us lost. ;o)

Any comments or suggestions?

Thanks
Candlelady

 

[CutlerP]

That sounds like the route my inlaws take when they drive here and back from South Carolina. They love it. DH and I always go through New Jersey when we drive to SC (we get on the Parkway, then the Turnpike, over the Del Mem Bridge to 95.) We don't take the same route as my inlaws because DH believes in getting from point A to point B in the least amount of miles as possible!

We always leave here (we're in Granby) at 4am and have NEVER had a problem with rush hour in either NY or NJ. The worst we have found is that we seem to hit DC around 11 am and that's the most crowded part of the trip. I'm not sure what time you planned on leaving, but it is possible to get through NY/NJ without hitting rush hour. We do it all the time!

Any other questions, let me know!

 

[Candlelady]

CutlerP,

Ok, ya got me! I've never driven thru that area and have only heard horror stories about 95 in NJ and how the exits aren't marked correctly. I'm terrified of driving thru and losing my way. As I said my DH couldn't find his way out of a paperbag so it will be me navigating. I feel I'll be more confident with a simpler route that will avoid most traffic.

AAA advised me that this route would be easy and I'd avoid most of the confusion in that area. One excellent piece of advice they gave me (since this is our first trip) is to check for snow storms and if one is approching quickly, to stop and get a room before there are none left. She told me she was stranded without a room during a blizzard on their drive to WDW once.

Candlelady

PS: We are in Enfield so we're almost neighbors!

 

[Ted and Holly]

I drove with a couple friends from Watertown back in 1993. We left at like 8am on a Saturday. We took 95 from Bridgeport all the way to Florida. It was the weekend so the traffic wasn't bad. I don't remember it being all that confusing through NY/NJ and DC. It would definitely be worth having a good detailed map and check the route before you go. Don't bother with an internet map, get a good printed map so you can make notes on it.

I find navigating with a good map indespensible. Then again, with orienteering lessons when I was young and a measurement and mapping course in college, I have some practice.


SO, after giving that advice, I did check MapQuest and personally, the first route you mentioned goes too far inland for me. Tthe other one doesn't look terrible but still adds some distance. How about 84 to Scanton, 81 to just south of Harrisonburg, VA, then 64 over to Rickmond and back on 95S? Just an idea. I have never been in that area but it would avoid NY and DC. I have no idea how Richmond is for traffic though.

I'd also stay away from 17, looks like that is less of a highway... I picture something like route 1 or something... KNow what I mean? I picture stop lights. I am a highway guy so I stay away from those.

Well, that's my 2 cents. I have never been in these area so take the advice with that in mind.

Ted

 

[ducklite]

Take 84 to the NYS Thruway, south on that to the 17/287 exit for NJ. (You CAN'T miss the sign) Get on 287 to NJ Turnpike--again, very well marked. Get on NJ Turnpike South and stay on it, (It becomes 95).

When you get near Baltimore, you want to take the harbor Tunnel, which is still 95 South. 95 does NOT go into downtown DC, that is 295 and 50. You would go around it.

By going this way you avoid all the NYC congestion, you are getting onto the NJ Turnpike South of NYC near Edison. 287 is this pits during morning rush, plan on being past it and on the Tpke either before 7:00am or after 9:00am.

The way AAA is sending you is a pretty, scenic drive, however it's a 55mph v. a 65 or higher mph most of it, and often it will be snowing in those mountains when it's clear everywhere else. And the deer...oy!

Anne

 

[meeshi]

I don't know if this helps or not, but we usually drive from PA to NC every summer. We used to always take Rt 17 to miss the DC traffic. This year we decided to just try 95 through DC. DH said he would never take 17 again. 95 was much faster! There was traffic, but we weren't there during rush hour so it wasn't bad. If you could avoid rush hour I'd say just take 95.

 

[MaggieMouse]

I live in NJ and I don't think you will have a problem taking 95 if you leave early (or late) enough. We go to Baltimore & Washington a lot in the summer, usually leaving between 4 -7 PM and we rarely get stuck in traffic other than at the tolls.

I'm not sure about the route AAA gave you but I really don't think you are going to have too much of a problem.

 

[mikek]

ducklite is right on.

But i cant emphasize enough DO NOT GO NEAR 287 during the rush hours. I travel it almost everyday from a little south of the turnpike interchange to the 78/287 intersection and it's a mess. What takes 30 minutes on the weekend or mid-day is now up to possibly TWO hours during the rush. Things went from bad to worse after the attack on the WTC. I cant figure if some of the displaced companies moved to the office parks off 287 or if all the long distance folks like yourself suddenly found this way to avoid the the turnpike and cross bronx in NY (95).

Honestly i think the highways in NJ are marked fine (but i've lived here my whole life)- getting to them might not be marked so well, but your looking take either one or two interstates the whole way, so i dont think you'll have any problems.

Also FYI In NJ the turnpike is officially 95 from the George washington bridge south to the 287 interchange in edison. Then it Disappers! (To stay on 95- you need to get beamed 20 miles or so to the trenton area) If you just take the turnpike to the southern end and cross over into Deleware it runs right back into 95. This might confuse some people- although it makes a straight line between 2 sections of 95 and is the only direct highway route, the governement doesnt like to call it 95.

 

[Candlelady]

Thanks for all your suggestions on which route to take. Unfortunately, I'm more confused than ever now.

Should I be going over the Tappan Zee Bridge? I keep displaying the online trip-tics on the AAA site and it's really confusing. Everything and everyone are giving me different directions regarding the NY NJ area. Should we drive thru at night or day? I'm not realy all that keen on night driving. Should I request the navigational system in the rental car? Are they worth it? Aaarrrgghhh. Well, I still have a couple months to make my decision, but I have to tell ya, I'm leaning toward the least confusing way which is unfortunately the longest.

Candelady

 

[CutlerP]

Candlelady -

Don't be intimidated!

We leave Granby promptly at 4am. We go west out to route 8 and take that down to Waterbury, then hop on to I-84. From Enfield, you could take 91 south and get 84 in Hartford.

Take 84 into New York to Brewster. Then go to I-684 toward White Plains (I don't want to say which direction it is, 'cause I'll probably be wrong, but it goes to White Plains). This is the interchange that is the most poorly marked, so keep your eyes peeled! It's not far from the CT/NY border.

In White Plains, get onto I-287 toward New Jersey and the Tappan Zee Bridge. We usually get to the bridge at 615 or 630 am and the traffic is not bad - not empty, but not bad either.

Once you've crossed the bridge, look for the signs for the Garden State Parkway. It sort of flows righ into it. That's a good road, and not too crowded either. It's a toll road with 35 cent booths here & there. By this time there are plenty of cars, but we've NEVER been stopped in traffic (we usually drive this on a Friday am.) DH says there are 4 toll booths before the entrance to the turnpike. You will be on the Parkway for 45 miles before you exit to the NJ Turnpike.

When you get to the NJ Turnpike (which actually is I-95), hop onto that. This is also a toll road, but you get a ticket and pay when you get to the end. Sometimes we keep in the cars only lane, other times we get in the cars & trucks lane, and have found no difference. It depends if you mind driving with the truckers or not - DH doesn't! I think we end up getting onto the NJ Turnpike around 7am. Again, we've found plenty of cars, but always seem to make good time.

Follow the Turnpike south till the end (about 90 miles), you want to go over the Delaware Memorial Bridge. We usually get off the highway for breakfast just after the bridge on Route 13, by this time it's 9am. (restaurants on the turnpike - YUCKY)

From here it's easy, just stay on 95! We have had better luck in Baltimore getting on to I-895 which takes you through the Harbor tunnel instead of the McHenry tunnel. If you take the 895 exit north of Baltimore, it puts you RIGHT back onto 95 south of the city.

We usually get to DC around 11 am and this is the most crowded part of the trip. Any sitting in traffic will be done here. You want to be on 495 south (it circles around the city to the east). Follow the signs for Richmond or Springfield. This area is also poorly marked, but I think they are working on it.

Once you are south of DC, you are home free! Follow 95 south toward Richmond, when you are nearing Richmond, take the 295 bypass so as not to go through downtown Richmond. (it's easy on, easy off, and there's a really cool bridge on it) It's usually 1pm by this time. Then just head south! We usually hit the VA/NC border at around 4 or 430, then the NC/SC border at about 7.

After the SC border, Sorry, can't help ya, since that's where we get off!

Sorry this is so long! I just wanted to share this knowledge! We have done this trip AT LEAST once a year since 1985 and know it like the backs of our hands. If I can answer anything else, let me know!

 

[Candlelady]

Thanks so much everyone for all the directions. I've saved them all and will slowly figure out which route will be the best for us.

I'm hoping to leave about 3:30a.m. to miss rush hour traffic since we will be leaving on a Thursday morning. If we don't make the wake up call then we will wait till about 8a.m. to start our journey to the Mouse House.;o) Hopefully either way we will miss all congestion.

I've always loved road trips but the last one I went on I was lost for 3 hrs! Went to visit a friend in Boston. Yikes! By the time I got there I was in tears. Not from fear, just from frustration. Ok, a little fear anyway. Never saw drivers like that in my life! Talk about taking your life in your hands. Those people are crazy!! lol. ;o) (hope i didn't offend any Bostonians).

Thanks again for all your help. I'm sure I'll be back for more.

Candlelady

 

[CutlerP]

I understand your frustration near Boston - I've lived it!

I really think this trip is much easier. Have a great time!