Going around the G.W. bridge

[Tozzie]

This is the route I drive between Boston and north Jersey... did it yesterday, in fact, and breezed through...

However, I left at 6:30AM and I think no matter which route you take, if you anticipate hitting NYC at 7 PM, there are really no alternatives that will be traffic free.. the plates were up on the Tappan Zee, but if they go back after the holidays, backups around the bridge especially going into Rockland have been horrific I also think you may run into traffic on 84 going through Conn... Danbury at rush hour can also be nasty

But, if I had to make the trip at the time of day, I would go 84-684-Tappan Zee to GSP rather than the GWB... just be prepared for traffic... I personally always stop at the rest area just past Katonah on 684 in anticipation of the delays!

BTW, I always say that when you die, if you're bad, God doesn't send you to hell, he makes you drive the Cross Bronx forever!

Drive it, I didn't know people could drive it, usually the traffic is just at a Standstill.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

We live in RI and frequently drive south to see family/friends in NJ and PA. The Tappan Zee is definitely longer mileage wise but can be the best bet traffic wise.

We start listening to traffic reports on 95 South starting at like exit 30 or so and see what they say. They do not always report on both bridges at each cycle so you may need to listen to 2 or 3 cycles. The am station is 880am and it is "Traffic on the 6s" , meaning every ten minutes, 1:06, 1:16, 1:26, etc. If you are going on the GW be sure to listen if the top or bottom is the best way!

I used to be scared to death of the Cross Bronx Expressway approaching the GW- but it seems less scary now. Also, it is cool to go that way and see all the planes landing at the airport- coming right over the highway!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

http://www.takingflight.us/

good luck!!

I totally agree!

Get your DH over his fear of flying and get on a plane. No more traffic!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I totally agree!

Get your DH over his fear of flying and get on a plane. No more traffic!

I think it's easier said than done. I have a very close friend (since kindergarten and we are 40 something) who has fof. She has family in Greece and flew many times as a kid in huge planes and was used to it. At 18 she flew to St. Thomas in a much smaller plane and it just freaked her out. She hasn't flown since. They actually bought a motor home so they could comfortably drive everywhere.

I keep telling her take some meds and she'll be fine but honestly who knows? She's afraid of heights so bad she couldn't sit in 2nd level concert seats to see Keith Urban. I told her close her eyes and hold my hand til we get seated but quick turned away once she got a view of the whole arena.

For my mom: driving/riding over bridges, overpasses, along cliffs.
For me: being a passenger in a car. period. I can't stand even taking van service to Philly airport. I joke to dh that I'd like to fly to PHL from home.

I guess we all have our own fears, rational or not.

eta: That just reminded me of a funny story. Same friend invited us to go to Myrtle Beach with them in their motor home many years ago. The thought of 10 hours (or 7 with her dh driving) on the road and my children unrestrained and walking around while doing 80 mph would make me physically ill.
I told her I'll ride down with them if she flies back with us. Of course we never went and still laugh about it.
We're a bunch of Neurotic Nellies.

 

[meriface11]

i live in CT but grew up in NJ and my parents are still there, so i have to make that dreaded trip over the Hudson River quite often. I know you said you don't like driving in the city, but if you are planning on doing it late in the evening, I would also recommend driving down the West Side Highway straight to the Lincoln Tunnel--you don't really have to do any city street driving to do this. Hook up to the Merritt Parkway in Milford CT from I95 (I think it's exit 37), take the Merritt all the way into NY when it becomes the Hutchinson Parkway. Then connect to the Cross County in Westchester, to the Saw Mill, which turns into to the West Side Highway (rt 9S). Takes you straight to the Tunnel and then you can get back onto 95 once you get to Jersey. Or you can take 95 straight through CT and connect to 287 East once you pass Greenwich and connect to the Hutchinson South about 2 miles into 287 East and follow the same directions I stated above once you are on the Hutch. I would recommend taking this route to the West Side Highway even if you decide to take the GW--you bypass all the Cross Bronx Expressway traffic. I NEVER take the Cross Bronx unless it's early on a weekend morning--these local highways through Westchester and the Bronx are a much better bet. If it sounds complicated, I promise it's not, and there are many signs stating "to NYC" to "GW Bridge" that will keep you confident that you are on the right path. PM me if you want more detailed directions.

 

[Tomh]

I'm in New York, in the Mid Hudson Valley, about halfway between the Newburgh Beacon bridge, and the Bear Mountain Bridge. For us, the easiest route is South to the Bear Mountain, where we pick up the Pallisaides, and then work our way down to 95.

For the OP, I would probably go 84/684 and cross the Tappan Zee. I don't much like dealing with the GWB either, nor the rest of the cruddy traffic in / around NYC.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I'm in New York, in the Mid Hudson Valley, about halfway between the Newburgh Beacon bridge, and the Bear Mountain Bridge. For us, the easiest route is South to the Bear Mountain, where we pick up the Pallisaides, and then work our way down to 95.

For the OP, I would probably go 84/684 and cross the Tappan Zee. I don't much like dealing with the GWB either, nor the rest of the cruddy traffic in / around NYC.

Your post brought back fond memories of when DH was stationed at West Point. I LOVE the Bear Mountain Bridge - so picturesque. We would cross the river there and take the train from Garrison or Peekskill into the city. We actually almost named our son Hudson after the Hudson River!

ruadisneyfan2 - I am a recovering fearful flyer and used to co-moderate a fear of flying site (www.takingflight.us/forums). I went from not flying at all for a dozen years after a really bad flight to flying over 100,000 miles a year on biz. I started with a small dose of xanax to take the edge off the anxiety but after educating myself on how planes fly and talking with pilots and other recovering fearful flyers I didn't need the meds anymore. Good luck to your friend. If they truly WANT to fly then the people at Taking Flight can help (free of charge!).

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

ruadisneyfan2 - I am a recovering fearful flyer and used to co-moderate a fear of flying site (www.takingflight.us/forums). I went from not flying at all for a dozen years after a really bad flight to flying over 100,000 miles a year on biz. I started with a small dose of xanax to take the edge off the anxiety but after educating myself on how planes fly and talking with pilots and other recovering fearful flyers I didn't need the meds anymore. Good luck to your friend. If they truly WANT to fly then the people at Taking Flight can help (free of charge!).

Me too! I had a really turbulent flight once and I was certain we dropped 1000 ft. I ended up buying the book written by Capt. Stark from SWA. It was so helpful and I found the whole thing fascinating. I loaned it to my brother when we all went to WDW last year and he left it in the van that took us to the airport.
I tell her to just try it and she'll see how easy it is. Well, fast anyway... Last March we all took a cruise together out of FLL and they drove the whole way for a 4 nt. cruise but added a few days after w/o us to make it worth driving.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Me too! I had a really turbulent flight once and I was certain we dropped 1000 ft. I ended up buying the book written by Capt. Stark from SWA. It was so helpful and I found the whole thing fascinating. I loaned it to my brother when we all went to WDW last year and he left it in the van that took us to the airport.
I tell her to just try it and she'll see how easy it is. Well, fast anyway... Last March we all took a cruise together out of FLL and they drove the whole way for a 4 nt. cruise but added a few days after w/o us to make it worth driving.

That book by Ray (Stark) is THE best book I have ever read about FOF. It is available on Amazon if you need another copy.

Good luck with your FOF.

 

[Kira G.]

I personally always stop at the rest area just past Katonah on 684 in anticipation of the delays!

We always stop at exit 2 on the 84 (almost the first/last stop in CT) where there is a really nice Starbucks and a fun Mexican restaurant. There's also a Trader Joe's and a good liquor store. It's practically a tradition with us to stop there in both directions!

 

[Debbie Jean]

We always stop at exit 2 on the 84 (almost the first/last stop in CT) where there is a really nice Starbucks and a fun Mexican restaurant. There's also a Trader Joe's and a good liquor store. It's practically a tradition with us to stop there in both directions!

Thanks for the tip!

 

[huskies90]

You could also come down and take the Mass Pike to Route 84 west to Rt. 684 to 287 which will take you over the Tappan Zee. Then you can pick up the Garden State Parkway and avoid all the city traffic.

I live right off 84 in Western CT and this is the route we'll be taking on our first road trip to WDW. 84 to 684 is a better ride than 91 to 95.

 

[OceanStateKelly]

We always just went right over the GW (95) but planned it in the middle of the night or very late, worked out great, kids sleep for most of the trip - makes it easier.
good luck

 

[linzbear]

Yeah, we always go over the GWB now - DH's family is in south jersey so we've done it a number of times, and I think I've taken every route around it to try to avoid traffic and get there faster. I finally determined that even sitting through the crappy traffic it's shorter timewise to just deal with it than try to figure out how to get around and save time.

Though there have been times that I've actually broken the speedlimit on the cross bronx! Those were exciting days (usually around 9PM at night, or 6AM in the morning).