CT to NJ shore- avoiding GWB! Need help! Updated ? post #20

[Goofygirl17]

I've been trying to find directions to the jersey shore that avoid the George Washington Bridge but no such luck. So I decided to ask the transportation experts at Dis!!

We're going to Avalon NJ from New Haven CT. I don't want to get stuck on the Cross Bronx Expressway and GWB but all of the directions I look up send me that way (including my GPS).

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Goofygirl

 

[nezy]

One way is to go through Staten Island. You would not save any time at all. You would have to take other city routes such as the Bruckner to the Triborough thru Manhattan or through Queens to the BQE--all just as bad as the xbronx!.If not worse!!!

Another option--much better is to go over the Tappan Zee Bridge. Take 287 (Cross Westchester Xpwy) over the TZ bridge to the Palisades Pkwy. or the Garden State Pkwy.

How do you usually get to the XBronx?

 

[Goofygirl17]

Thanks for answering.

We usually just take 95 and I'm assuming a section of that is called the Cross Bronx Expressway (since that is what my directions say). Last year it took us over an hour (maybe almost 2) to actually get to the bridge! There has to be a better way.


How do I get on the Tappan Zee Bridge? Do I just look for signs on 95 for the Tappan Zee? (sounds like a dumb question). Then is there a choice of the Garden State or Palisade pkwy?

It looks like we are supposed to take the Garden State pkwy most of the way down so that sounds good.

I wish I could find directions online, like Mapquest, that avoided the GWB. I might try fooling around w/ my GPS and see if I can get it to map the Tappan Zee.

Thanks again!
Goofygirl

 

[monorailsilver]

To get to the Tappen Zee there are signs.

I forget the exit number but I know I have seen signs (it has been a while).

You can hop over & take the Merritt & get to the Tappen Zee that way too vs 95.

 

[MrsToad]

We used to make this trip frequently. The exit off of I-95 for the Tappan Zee bridge is around 2 or 3 (I never remember the number but am sure it is down that low). It is very clearly marked. There is a slight Y-type of junction just after you take the exit ramp - bear to the left side to head towards the bridge (a hard right takes you to another road). After crossing the Tappan Zee, I think the exit for the Garden State Parkway is 14b (may be 13b) but it is also very clearly marked. We preferred this route to I-95 all the way.

 

[MrsNick]

You could try Merritt Pkwy which turns into Hutch Pkwy to Cross County Pkwy to Henry Hudson Pkwy to GWB to Rte 80 to GSP.

Just don't allow your GPS to divert you to the Deegan or CxBx. It will try, but don't listen to it. Just follow signs.

 

[Quacktatty]

Take the Merrit to 287W over the Tapanzee then take exit 14A to get on the Garden State Pkwy S

Click here for actual Directions

 

[cogero]

take 95 and look for signs for the cross county follow that to 87 north and the Tappan Zee Bridge you will get off 87 after the bridge and get on 17S into Jersey until you run inot what ever road you need to be on.

I do this automatically no real exits or anything sorry.

The other thing you could do to avoid the cross bronx is go across the cross county and get on 87 south and just go over the GW you will miss most of the traffic you hit on the cross bronx.

Going through Staten Island and the BQE or the Belt can be just as long as the Cross Bronx or longer

 

[Teacher510]

When I was a teenager (thousands of years ago!) my family stayed in Stone Harbor for several weeks each summer (next to Avalon.) I have lots of wonderful memories. Wishing you many of the same!

 

[TDC Nala]

I didn't get it, thought you might be trying to avoid George W. Bush. But I am from Washington.

 

[Goofygirl17]

TDC Nala- That too

Teacher510- Thanks! My husband has to work so I'm going with my mom and my two girls (5, 9). I think we'll have a great time!

Thank you everyone for the directions. I'm going to print them so I don't lose them! And by the way, I don't always trust my GPS. It sent us home from Long Island through Manhattan the night before the pope was visiting. It was nuts! Tons of people and policemen. Then it tried to send us south on the Jersey Turnpike instead of north on 95! I think we need an update or something.

Thanks again!
Goofygirl

 

[artesian]

I travel to Mass all the time and never take 95. Take the Merrit as suggested to the Tappan Zee then the Garden State South

 

[Disneymommie]

I did not read all of the posts. Just a word from the Shore as that is where I live. Do not attempt the drive on a Friday night or Saturday morning. All roads leading south to us are parking lots!!!

 

[LuvAriel]

I did not read all of the posts. Just a word from the Shore as that is where I live. Do not attempt the drive on a Friday night or Saturday morning. All roads leading south to us are parking lots!!!

From a New Yorker who has vacationed on the Jersey Shore for 20 years, this is the best piece of advice!!!!!!!!!

 

[Scottneon]

If you are leaving on Friday I would make sure you get to the Stickal ? Edison bridge b4 3pm on Friday. If Saturday leave very very early from CT say about 6am. Its about 2 hours from new haven to linden,NJ . I know first hand. I work for Gulf and we have a terminal in New Haven. I work in Linden and it takes about 2 hours by truck each way. Do like they all say 95 to 287 over the Tappan Zee. I think the exit off 95 is right around Rye NY so just watch the signs. Make sure you gas up b4 you get to the Edison Bridge. All the rest areas/gas stations are packed after that with very long lines. Its hot hot hot down the shore so enjoy

 

[Teacher510]

If you are leaving on Friday I would make sure you get to the Stickal ? Edison bridge b4 3pm on Friday. If Saturday leave very very early from CT say about 6am. Its about 2 hours from new haven to linden,NJ . I know first hand. I work for Gulf and we have a terminal in New Haven. I work in Linden and it takes about 2 hours by truck each way. Do like they all say 95 to 287 over the Tappan Zee. I think the exit off 95 is right around Rye NY so just watch the signs. Make sure you gas up b4 you get to the Edison Bridge. All the rest areas/gas stations are packed after that with very long lines. Its hot hot hot down the shore so enjoy

The Stickle Bridge is on Rte 280 between Harrison and Newark. Maybe you mean the Goethels Bridge ?

 

[Scottneon]

Yep My bad thats why I put the question mark. I know its the big bridge over the water where the pkway,turnpike come together. You would think I know the name. I only live down the shore and go over it twice everyday to go to work. LOL

 

[Teacher510]

Yep My bad thats why I put the question mark. I know its the big bridge over the water where the pkway,turnpike come together. You would think I know the name. I only live down the shore and go over it twice everyday to go to work. LOL

Actually, I think the more familiar you are with an area the less likely you are to know the actual names! When you're getting directions to a new place you're more aware of street names, etc. We actually call the Goethels the "Woodbridge Bridge!"

 

[Goofygirl17]

Thank you all! We are leaving on a Sunday and returning on Friday afternoon/evening. We got a good rate for the hotel Sun-Thur and Friday night was more than twice as much so we're checking out Friday morning, going swimming etc and leaving in the afternoon. According to the computer it should take us 4 1/2 hours or so from New Haven to Avalon.

Thanks again!
Goofygirl

 

[Goofygirl17]

These directions worked great on the way down- no traffic at all!!

I tried to get google maps to give me the directions back but I can't get it right. I don't know if I can just reverse them. I can't get the computer to do it and I don't know the exit numbers. I just followed signs on the way down. I hope they are well marked on the way back!

Thanks!
Goofygirl