OT - Driving from MD to ME

[carissanboys]

This isn't Disney related, but I figure there are many of you that have driven from Maine down to Disney on 95. I'm getting ready to drive myself and my 3 boys up to Maine from Maryland (husband is out of town on business) and I'm looking for some advice on the best way to go to avoid NYC. I've driven this route before, but it's been a while. I will be leaving on a Saturday so I don't think traffic should be too bad (and I'll be leaving pretty early in the morning). Should I stay on 95 through NYC or is there another way I should go?

TIA!

 

[Maine-iac]

This isn't Disney related, but I figure there are many of you that have driven from Maine down to Disney on 95. I'm getting ready to drive myself and my 3 boys up to Maine from Maryland (husband is out of town on business) and I'm looking for some advice on the best way to go to avoid NYC. I've driven this route before, but it's been a while. I will be leaving on a Saturday so I don't think traffic should be too bad (and I'll be leaving pretty early in the morning). Should I stay on 95 through NYC or is there another way I should go?

TIA!

Oh my goodness it has been so long since we have driven beyond Boston that I don't remember. If you are a member of AAA you should have them give you some info. The Trip Tiks they make are great.

 

[Donald is #1]

I would take the Mass Pike to I-84 in Sturbridge. Once in NY, I would take I-684 to the Saw Mill Parkway to I-87 (you will actually be heading west) over the Tappan Zee bridge. From I-87, I would take the Garden State Parkway and pick up I-95 where the GSP & I-95 intersect about a 1/3 of the way down NJ.

This is the path that I take when I go to NJ from NH.

Hope this helps!

 

[Maine-iac]

I would take the Mass Pike to I-84 in Sturbridge. Once in NY, I would take I-684 to the Saw Mill Parkway to I-87 (you will actually be heading west) over the Tappan Zee bridge. From I-87, I would take the Garden State Parkway and pick up I-95 where the GSP & I-95 intersect about a 1/3 of the way down NJ.

This is the path that I take when I go to NJ from NH.

Hope this helps!

Yes yes that sounds familiar. Must have been the way we went.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Definately take the Tappen Zee and avoid the NY City traffic.
Do you have EZ Pass? It will be good on all the toll roads you hit, until ME.
When you go across the Mass Pike, I always get off at the exit for 290 and take that around to 95 north. It is further outside of Boston and usually has less traffic than either of the Boston area "beltways."
Are you OK with coming into NJ from DE and using 295 to avoid a stretch of the NJ Turnpike?

 

[carissanboys]

No, I don't have EZ pass. Don't need it down here in MD.

I ended up finding some directions at yahoomap instead of mapquest (which I usually use). It has me taking 95 to 295 toward NJ Turnpike/Delaware Memorial Bridge. Continue on New Jersey Pike North (for 68 miles), then back onto I95 toward Hartford. Does this sound ok?

I think we usually take 290 around Boston as well.

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[carissanboys]

I would take the Mass Pike to I-84 in Sturbridge. Once in NY, I would take I-684 to the Saw Mill Parkway to I-87 (you will actually be heading west) over the Tappan Zee bridge. From I-87, I would take the Garden State Parkway and pick up I-95 where the GSP & I-95 intersect about a 1/3 of the way down NJ.

This is the path that I take when I go to NJ from NH.

Hope this helps!

I'm a little confused. This seems like directions going south? Could you give them going north? I know I should be able to turn them around, but my brain is too tired

 

[Donald is #1]

I'm a little confused. This seems like directions going south? Could you give them going north? I know I should be able to turn them around, but my brain is too tired

OK, here goes:
1) I assume that you will be driving I-95 North in NJ
2) At the intersection of I-95 & the Garden State Parkway(GSP), take the Garden State Parkway North (yes there will be lots of tolls on this road )
3) At the end or near the end (I can't remember) of the GSP take I-87 East. This will take you over the Tappan Zee Bridge.

4) After you go over the Tappan Zee Brdige, take the Saw Mill Parkway North.

5) From the Saw Mill Parkway, take I-684 North (if it is an East - West road, I would guess that the direction is East -- basically you want to head away from the city).

6) From I-684, take I-84 East.

7) I-84 east ends at the Mass Pike (I-90). Take I-90 east.

8) Then I would suggest the same route that CPT Tripss suggested. I-290 East to I-495 North to I-95 North.

 

[carissanboys]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it

 

[Susiesnowflake]

We have traveled the NJ to Maine and now Maine to NJ route my entire life. The quickest route from NJ for us has been the Garden State Parkway to Tappen Zee Bridge to 287 E to 684 to 84 E to Mass Pike 90 E to 290 E to 495 N to 95 N. From the Tappen Zee to Maine border, you'll have about a 4 1/4 hr drive.

 

[CPT Tripss]

We have traveled the NJ to Maine and now Maine to NJ route my entire life. The quickest route from NJ for us has been the Garden State Parkway to Tappen Zee Bridge to 287 E to 684 to 84 E to Mass Pike 90 E to 290 E to 495 N to 95 N. From the Tappen Zee to Maine border, you'll have about a 4 1/4 hr drive.

Is the ice out yet?

The time assumes you do not hit a nice summer weekend exodus from NYC or Boston.

To avoid some of the tolls on the NJ turnpike - from the Delaware Memorial Bridge, take 295 north to 195 east to the NJ turnpike north. as long as you are not in "rush hour" times, it will add little, if any, extra time.