George Washington or Tappan Zee

[Shamrock88]

Will be leaving southern Massachusetts via 95 this coming Wednesday morning, heading towards Disney. Will be approaching New York City around 11 AM or so, which is my better option. George Washington Bridge, or Tappan Zee??

Thanks in advance

 

[Jimsig]

It really all depends on a couple factors. Traffic and how comfortable you are driving through the city. Some people will say avoid the city at all costs and others will say drive right through it.

As far as traffic goes you have a couple options available to check it. 1010AM WINS will have traffic every 10 min on the ones and WCBS AM does it on the 8's as you get close to the city. If you have a smart phone with it's own map or Google maps there should be a traffic layer you can activate and check traffic on 95 and the Tappan Zee. If it's green you should be good to go through the city, if there is a lot of red you may want the Tappan Zee. If you have Sirius/XM there is a channel to check it there as well and if you have a GPS you might also have traffic on that as well.

You never know how bad or good traffic will be "running the gauntlet" as I call it. I tend to drive through the city, but only you know your comfort level of how much traffic is too much etc. There is also another way to get through the city and that's taking the same exit you would for the Tappan Zee and running the Hutchinson Pkwy to the Cross Country Pkwy to the Saw Mill Pkwy. It brings you over the Henry Hudson Bridge and basically drops you are the foot of the GW. There are signs directing you to the GW on that route. (I think I got the route right, but you can look it up on a map if need be) Again that depends on traffic too.

I know I didn't give you a straight answer but hope I was able to help.

 

[edbo77]

Yeah, it's going to be a game time decision for you. I personally like to stay on 95 and go over the GW when I can, too much of a hassle trying to get back on course through Garden State Parkway in NJ.

 

[Gracie09]

When you get close listen to 1010 wins. They so traffic on the ones and i have found it to be the most accurate. 880 is also pretty good. Their traffic is on the 8s

 

[vacationer1954]

We use the Tappan Zee no matter what. Almost every time we've allowed news radio to convince us to take the GWB we've been disappointed. The Tappan Zee is longer and could have traffic too but we've never been surprised by unreported traffic on the Tappan Zee like we have with the GWB.

 

[1025cruise]

I'd take the Tappan Zee anytime. Wouldn't even be a question in my book.

 

[Shamrock88]

Thanks all for the help much appreciated!

 

[Donna M]

We always take the Tappan Zee from NH to Pa and use 84, Wilber Cross, Hutch, 287 to Tappan Zee to Garden State heading south. We avoid 95 till we have to use it after the Garden State ends for us.

 

[Stitch_Is_King]

Another vote for the Tappan Zee here. Took the GW once and that was enough for me. Have used Tappen Zee every tine since then.

 

[Ed J]

I did the NJ to New England route 2 times a month 12 months a year for 6 or 7 years. Just picking a bridge is a bad idea IMO, what if the one you pick has an hour+ delay?

The folks giving you the radio advice is the way to go, I'd avoid 95 through most of CT and use the merrit pky as long as the radio says it's OK.

I would start hitting the AM band about 1.5 hours from the bridge and satellite radio an hour out then go that way. If there is no traffic the GWB is the winner by more than a half hour.

 

[ice cube]

Being from westchester county I can shed maybe a little light on the subject...Like others have mentioned your best bet is to listen to either 1010 or 880 as they keep giving updates throughout the day. As you come down 95 south in CT when you get down to around exit 3 if they report no issues on the Cross Bronx Expressway thats what they call 95 south in the Bronx section and where all the issues getting to the bridge happen then your clear and take 95 south to the GWB. Now if they say there is an issue then you have two choices but you must exit off 95 south and take 287 west (cross westchester expressway) it is at the end of the CT state line and will read "exit 21...287 west.. white plains...tappan zee bridge" At this point you can still take the GWB or the TZB. You will take 287 west to the end which will put you on I-87 now if you want to still take the GWB take I-87 south. Follow I-87 to GWB this way will make you miss the traffic on the Cross Bronx Expressway if there is traffic. If you want to take the TZB just understand they have started the construction on the new replacement bridge and there are unscheduled delays at any point of the day so understand even if they don't announce it on the radio they do happen. You access TZB taking I-87 north and when you come the over bridge take the palisades parkway south and follow to 95 south...this route will spill you right near the bridge on the jersey side....if you have any other questions just ask....have a great and safe trip.....

 

[monorailsilver]

Do you have google maps or the waze app? It will show you traffic. We love it! Waze powers...um...does the traffic for google maps so it's real time driving and people report accidents, etc...

I prefer the GW. The only time my dh took the tappen zee I was ready to kill him as it added time to our drive.

Ironically, last April when we were coming home, it was a Monday, the day after Easter. I told my dh to take the GW and of course he was not thrilled as he was worried about traffic but I was watching it as was he on the apps.

We hit the GW at 5pm going into NYC. Not a car, ok there were a handful but there was no line for the toll!

Then we hit greenwich and it took us 2 hours to get to my moms in Trumbull. We didn't get home (we live just north of old saybrook, ct) til close to 10 that night.

 

[mustardman]

Personally, I always take the GW. If you're comfortable taking the GW route just listen to the traffic updates as everyone suggests before deciding. I agree with Ed about avoiding 95 in Southern CT and taking 15 (Merritt Pkwy). It's a very scenic road and I enjoy driving the winding hills. You'll need to decide which bridge as you approach the "end" of 15. For GW take the Hutchinson River Pkwy to Cross County Pkwy to 87 S. That runs right into 95 just before the GW. For TZ, take 287 W.

Another thing I swear by when coming over the GW and getting onto the NJTP, always take the local over the express. It doesn't back up as frequently. A little further down the NJTP I always take the Truck lanes over the Car lanes unless it is snowing. Again, it doesn't seem to back up as frequently. If you're hesitant about trucks they aren't allowed in the left lane even in the Truck lanes.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I'm a Jersey girl whose brother lives in Mass. We always take the Tapp.