Info on trip to NNL East, best route

[Jon Cole]

I plan on driving down to the NNL East from the central part of Mass, we always aim for Hartford, then 84 to 684 (IIRC) across the Tappen Zee to 287

Mapquest shows a route that appears to be quicker, yet through a real pita heavy traffic / NYC driving, which I want to avoid if it is a pita route. This route is 91 to 15 through Conn. to the Major Deegan Expressway

Also it has been a few decades since I have gone over the GW Bridge, I recall getting stuck in the wrong travel lane. How is that bridge to navigate?

Oh… I’ll probably be in the NYC area between 6:30 to 9:30 AM… I don’t need to be at the PAL Building at opening time.

Thanks in advance!

[highway]

Also it has been a few decades since I have gone over the GW Bridge, I recall getting stuck in the wrong travel lane. How is that bridge to navigate?

Oh… I’ll probably be in the NYC area between 6:30 to 9:30 AM… I don’t need to be at the PAL Building at opening time.

Thanks in advance!

Spyder, will it be a Saturday you will be going through NYC? If so, you shouldn't have to much rush hour traffic to mess with, and even though it's been about 10 years for me being in that area, I used to drive tractor trailer, I had little problems going over the GW Bridge. If I was going to Boston or Hartford, etc., I would take I-80 to the GW the go I-95 (Cross Bronx Expressway) and continue up I-95 then I-84 if I was heading to western Mass or Hartford area. If you take I-84 all the way to I95, cross the GW, then I-80, that looks like it should get you right up to the Paterson area, which by your "Mapquest" pics, is where you're heading. A bit of trucker's advice, though, watch your signs to make sure you stay on the right routes, and usually the best times to get through the NYC area is late at night, early morning, or weekends. If you can I'd shoot for the 6:30 part of your time frame.

[Foxer]

I'd never take the NYC route. I am leaving from Western Mass, so maybe I have a slight advantage. But, my wife grew up in Wayne so I have been making this trip for 35 years. Best, IMO, is to just take the Mass Pike straight to the NY Thruway and go down from there. You can also take your route thru Hartford, (my hometown) and take 84 to the Thruway. I know it seems it should be faster taking the angle route thru NYC, but it never worked for me. There's just too many slowdowns and slower roads along the way. The thruway traffic has been moving at 80mph average lately, just like the Mass Pike. Either way, get on the Garden State Parkway and find your exit off there. I'm not giving directions there as I take all the local shortcuts and never even hit the Parkway. I have to say, though, Route 17 and 46 are the worst traffic roads in the world. All the malls and shopping centers are along these routes. 46 isn't that bad to drive and you'll have to hit that I think as it's close to everything. Just keep on highways as far as you possibly can. The Parkway pretty much follows 17 in this area.

Hope to see ya there.

Edited April 14, 2010 by Foxer

[charlie8575]

Jon, I'm going to agree with Mike on this. 84->87 is probably the easiest way to go. Having gone 95 before, I'll attest that the traffic can be very bad, and the last time I was going through there, everything from New Haven to Stratford was ripped to shreds on 95. For you, I'd recommend 91->84->87->follow directions in link.

As a sample, I did a map from New Paltz, N.Y., near where my friend I was going to stay with before canceling the trip due to money issues lives, to Wayne. The time might be a little off, but it'll give you the basic idea.

I would say you can easily subtract 20-30 minutes from that figure.

+Pal+Dr&2z=07470&2y=US&2l=40.913605&2g=-74.26223&2v=BLOCK]Mapquest

Enjoy your trip!

Charlie Larkin

Edited April 15, 2010 by charlie8575

[VW Dave]

84 to 87 sounds good to me too.

[Jon Cole]

84 to 287 is the route we always did, and based on what I am reading here, I will stick with that route!

Thank you all!

Edited April 15, 2010 by Spyder