Road Trip - Which way do I go?

[DaleF]

Looking for some advice from NE (Conn) members. I'm traveling next week from DC to Portland. Which route would y'all suggest through Conn?

A. 684 -> 84

B. 91 -> 84

C. 95 -> 395

D. Other

Keeping in mind construction, re-surfacing, traffic and general road condition. DOT website says a couple projects should be ending this weekend. Right now I'm leaning towards Option B.

[F.O.G.]

I bring my EVO to Turbotrix in Edison NJ to get work done. I live right off of rte 395 in Webster MA. I would recommend Garden state parkway, over the tappan Zee bridge, to 95, to 395. Route 395 becomes route 290 in Auburn MA. Stay on Roue 290 till the end and get on route 495 north to the end and that gets you onto route 95 near the Mass/NH border. That route cuts out all of RI and all of the Boston 95/128 traffic. If you go that way, allow some time to stop by either Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods casino off of 395. Good Luck
You could also get off of 95 in the New haven Area onto route 91. Follow that to route 84 up to the Mass Pike in Sturbridge. Take Mass pike to the route 495 exit and then 495 north. I guess it depends on what time you are rolling thru. Route 84 in CT goes right thru Hartford, so you might catch some traffic there. I know that route 95 in CT from exit 1 to in the 20's has alot of traffic after like 3pm.

[SkyBaby]

Ask the scarcrow... he knows. Just kidding.. have fun! SkyBaby

[SKYMAN-CT]

Originally Posted by F.O.G.

I bring my EVO to Turbotrix in Edison NJ to get work done. I live right off of rte 395 in Webster MA. I would recommend Garden state parkway, over the tappan Zee bridge, to 95, to 395. Route 395 becomes route 290 in Auburn MA. Stay on Roue 290 till the end and get on route 495 north to the end and that gets you onto route 95 near the Mass/NH border. That route cuts out all of RI and all of the Boston 95/128 traffic. If you go that way, allow some time to stop by either Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods casino off of 395. Good Luck
You could also get off of 95 in the New haven Area onto route 91. Follow that to route 84 up to the Mass Pike in Sturbridge. Take Mass pike to the route 495 exit and then 495 north. I guess it depends on what time you are rolling thru. Route 84 in CT goes right thru Hartford, so you might catch some traffic there. I know that route 95 in CT from exit 1 to in the 20's has alot of traffic after like 3pm.

DaleF,

Not sure where in DC your starting from or where your destination is in Portland but link below should give you a pretty good idea of the route I would choose.

I agree with F.O.G. on the Garden State and Tappan Zee Bridge however I would try and aviod I-95 at all cost and take the Hutchinson River Pkwy to Merritt Pkwy (CT-15 N) which actually turns into Wilbur Cross Pkwy a much pretty ride with no Trucks also you avoid downtown Hartford by passing just to the south and connecting with I-84 on the otherside. (your choice of course)

I took I-684 back on Memorial Day to visit my brother in Virginia Beach and it was pretty bumpy. My other brother lives on Capitol Hill on "D" street SE so I also travel down your way alot. You can see from my Avatar I'm in Bristol, CT pretty much the center of the state and I commute Rte 15 to Stratford every day sometimes I mix it up and take Rte 8 to I-84 but the Parkway is so much better without the Trucks. Not that I have anything against truckers I've just had to many stones tossed at my Explorer windshield, so with the Sky I try to avoid it as much as possible.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...67676&z=9&om=1

P.S. - F.O.G I also had a condo in Haverhill, MA when I was working in Newburyport, MA I use to make that commute three times a week so I'm pretty familiar that end too, but while I've headed to Boston a few times this summer I haven't driven the 495 route in a while, so I don't know about construction up that way lately or I-95 North through Maine however my son and his wife leave today for Caribou, Me (visiting Inlaws) so when he calls in I can ask.

[jayman]

Go with F.O.G's first recommendation...95 to 395N thru Worcester...then 495N...then back onto 95N thru N.H. and into ME...i go that way frequently when going to Kittery, ME....395 to Portland, ME....about 4-4.5 hrs.

[SKYMAN-CT]

Originally Posted by jayman

Go with F.O.G's first recommendation...95 to 395N thru Worcester...then 495N...then back onto 95N thru N.H. and into ME...i go that way frequently when going to Kittery, ME....395 to Portland, ME....about 4-4.5 hrs.

You guys just love that route so you can stop by the Mohegan Sun.

jayman,
Isn't there still allot of construction going on on I-95 from New Haven to New London?

And I know the truck traffic and traffic in general can get pretty heavy on the lower route from the New York border to New Haven depending on time of day.

DaleF
P.S. Two links and I'll shut up. - Don't forget the Merritt Pkwy (CT-15 N) is also voted one of the most scenic rides in the state in many polls. These links are just a couple examples.
I will note however that at the peak of rush hour you can sometimes hit some congestion especially around the first couple rest stop areas otherwise it's pretty much 70's all the way although it's posted at 55 MPH, if you choose to travel at the higher speeds stay in the left lane and watch for tail lights ahead or use a detector if traffic is light. You'll still have people passing you but if you stay with the flow your normally in good shape.

http://usparks.about.com/od/scenicro.../a/CTroads.htm
http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2452/stories/46948

[DaleF]

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

Traditionally, we usually took the Garden State, accross the Tappan Zee. Then either the Saw Mill up to 684, or stay on 87 to 684, to 84 to the Mass Pike, 290 -> 495 -> 95 and on up.

Option B should have said 15 -> 91 -> 84.

The Tappan Zee has some construction going on. A couple small projects on 684. There's also some resurfacing going on in Hartford on 91 near the airport. This is according to the DOT websites.
It would be great if I could confirm some of this and how messed up the roads are to protect my Sky.

[Seagull]

Originally Posted by DaleF

Looking for some advice from NE (Conn) members. I'm traveling next week from DC to Portland. Which route would y'all suggest through Conn?

Why Go through Conn. on your way to Portland (OREGON) it is to the west so take good ole' Rt. 66 if you be coming to the Left (West) Coast

[jayman]

Originally Posted by DaleF

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

Traditionally, we usually t ook the Garden State, accross the Tappan Zee. Then either the Saw Mill up to 684, or stay on 87 to 684, to 84 to the Mass Pike, 290 -> 495 -> 95 and on up.

Option B should have said 15 -> 91 -> 84.

The Tappan Zee has some construction going on. A couple small projects on 684. There's also some resurfacing going on in Hartford on 91 near the airport. This is according to the DOT websites.
It would be great if I could confirm some of this and how messed up the roads are to protect my Sky.

I just went the 395 to 495 to 95 route last Sunday...some construction thru Worcester, MA...otherwise smooth-sailing