Driving North to Maine- Help!

[maciec]

We are looking for some place to stop as we head north to Maine on 91 through Connecticut. Somewhere around Hartford or a little north would be a good waypoint. Any suggestions?

 

[Candlelady]

Not sure what your budget is so I'll give you mid-range.
There is a fairly new Hampton Inn 15 to 20 minutes past Hartford in Enfield Ct. Would be exit 47E off of 91 North. Shopping and restaurants all in the area.

More to choose from near Bradley Intl Airport, which is also off of 91. Check Trip Advisor for hotels near the airport. The hotel address' should be in Windsor Locks, not Hartford. (called Hartford Airport by Trip Advisor when it's actually in Windsor Locks) No shopping in this area but much more to choose from at better pricing.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsNear-g33804-qBDL-Hartford_Connecticut.html

I would not stay in Hartford.
Hope that helps.

edited to add: Not sure where in Maine you are headed, but if you're in the southern most tip, it's only about a three hour drive from the Enfield/Windsor Locks area. We stay in York Beach, Maine and I can do that drive in 3 hrs or less from Enfield, CT.

 

[maciec]

Sorry! Just realized that I never put that we just want a place to stop and eat.

 

[Candlelady]

Lol. No problem.
Let us know what type of restaurant your looking for and I'll let you know what is in this area.

 

[maciec]

Family places, pizza, bar food, simple.

 

[maciec]

Manchester area is fine too. Either puts us about 3.5 hours from our final destination

 

[Candlelady]

For exit 47E, there is an Olive Garden, 99, Red Robin, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Dunkin Donut. Can't think of any more off the top of my head.

If you go to the next exit, there is a Ruby Tuesday and Panera Bread in the mall, an Outback Steakhouse in front of Target and the mall, a TGIF in the Home Depot Plaza, a Chigago Sams (sports bar) in the Kohl's and Best Buy plaza.

There is a cracker barrel off of exit 45.

Can't think of any more that are close to 91.

 

[CPT Tripss]

What's your route to Maine, are you going direct? We don't go 91 north of Hartford, we use 84 east to the Mass Pike, 290 through Worcester to 495 then 95. Guess it depends where in ME . . .

 

[maciec]

What's your route to Maine, are you going direct? We don't go 91 north of Hartford, we use 84 east to the Mass Pike, 290 through Worcester to 495 then 95. Guess it depends where in ME . . .

Richmond. 84 is too far west for us and 95 too far east.

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[Candlelady]

What's your route to Maine, are you going direct? We don't go 91 north of Hartford, we use 84 east to the Mass Pike, 290 through Worcester to 495 then 95. Guess it depends where in ME . . .

CPT Tripss is correct if you are traveling through Hartford.
To continue on 91 through Enfield CT to Springfield MA, 291 to the Mass Pike, you've traveled an extra 20 miles or so.

We pick up the MA Pike in Springfield, but that's because we live in Enfield and it's quicker for us.

Make sure you have a stash of $1 bills for the tolls in both MA and ME.

You'll get there either way you choose, it's only an extra 20 minutes out of your way and it's all hi-way. Good luck and enjoy Maine.

 

[maciec]

Got that covered with an EZ pass! We usually make the middle of the night ride when we go up so leaving during the day is new for us. Thinking we may not even stop now except for a quick snack and gas. The in laws live up there so we've been plenty of times. Taking the route we do shaves about 45 minutes off of our trip.

 

[Candlelady]

I need to get an EZ Pass since we use the MA Pike so often.

Safe travels and enjoy your trip.

 

[seashoreCM]

Nitpicking. 91 (Hartford to Springfield) is too far west. 84 (Hartford to Sturbridge) is just right.

 

[HubbDave]

Take 84

 

[CourtneyL]

There are a bunch of restaurants near the buckland hills mall in Manchester. It's off of 84. We live nearby and frequently go to outback, red robin, and moes. There's also an Olive Garden, but its terrible (cold food, mediocre service, etc).

 

[maciec]

We ended up all over the place because while I was sleeping, dh missed the exit and we ended up on 15 in Stamford, CT on a road we have never taken before. What should have been a 9 hr ride ended up taking 12 because we stopped 5 times for various reasons. Oh well ..... The best laid plans!

 

[maciec]

Nitpicking. 91 (Hartford to Springfield) is too far west. 84 (Hartford to Sturbridge) is just right.

That's too far west for us. We are in lower Delaware. Rarely do we ever take 84

 

[CPT Tripss]

We ended up all over the place because while I was sleeping, dh missed the exit and we ended up on 15 in Stamford, CT on a road we have never taken before. What should have been a 9 hr ride ended up taking 12 because we stopped 5 times for various reasons. Oh well ..... The best laid plans!

15, aka Wilbur Cross and Merritt Parkways depending on where you' are is a really good alternative to 95 getting to 91 and 84. Usually less traffic and trucks are prohibited. Just don't try it in an RV. We hit horrible traffic on 495 in the Lawrence area and then in NH and Maine from about 5 miles before the border until the METP toll plaza.

 

[pooch]

That's too far west for us. We are in lower Delaware. Rarely do we ever take 84

Everyone here is talking about picking 84 up in Hartford CT, not in another state. If you are going up 91, there is an exit in Hartford for 84 that cuts thru CT diagonally putting you closer to Worcester faster.

And to Candlelady - Hi from another Enfield resident!!!

 

[Candlelady]

maciec,

Glad you made it OK even though the exit was missed. BTDT. Some of our best road trip memories include many wrong turns!


And a big hello to pooch from your neighbor!