mirnmax

Hi There! I am looking for things to stop and see on our way from Annapolis to Boston. Well, really Wareham, Ma which is about an hour south of Boston on buzzard bay. Unfortunately we are driving on July 3, which means traffic is probably going to be AWFUL! Right? But the vacation rental doesn't start until July 4 so we will overnight somewhere. We have looked and have 2 options, straight up 95 or through PA like I-81 to I-80 which bypasses NYC. We are leaning on the 81 option just to save tolls and headache in the major cities. What do you think? This a good idea? Google maps says it's only a 30 minute difference in time........

We are traveling with a 16 year old that loves horses and old record stores. My 8 year old just loves anything cool, science like and fun. We are pretty adventurous in dining and love to find those little hole in the wall gems or off the beaten path things; not so much into the larger chain places. Specialty chocolate shops make this woman very happy! Just sayin......

Just to give you an idea..... once we drove out of the way to visit Salem Sue (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2716), and to see the giant statue of seamen (http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/13335) along with a side trip to Max ND just cause my son's name is Max.

We also geocache, so if anyone out there does that and has a must FIND let me know!!

Thanks for your help!!!

Melissa

SambaChula

I'd suggest a stop at Mystic Seaport. Google it. About 3 hours from Boston. An overnight could be pleasant. Have the kids watch the film Mystic Pizza before you leave.
And that's BuzzardS Bay.

vincenzo32951

The I-95 option is always bad on Fridays and likely will be a nightmare on that particular Friday, meaning the I-81 is a consideration. However: You eventually have to head east, probably on I-84 through CT, and then the nightmare begins anew as you try to make your way to Wareham. I guess you'll do what you have to do.

If you take 81 and head over to Rte. 15, it will go near Emmitsburg, Gettysburg and some little towns for browsing. At G'burg, you could head back over to 81.

PaulRabe

Traveling on the East Coast on Friday, July 3rd is going to be a nightmare, no matter which route you take. Just accept it and deal with it.

> We are leaning on the 81 option
> just to save tolls and headache in the major cities.
> What do you think? This a good idea?

I've traveled between my home town of Philly, and both Baltimore & New England, innumerable times. I do NOT recommend I-83 north from Baltimore to Harrisburg, then I-81 to I-80, then east towards NYC. The extra miles just aren't worth it. Permit me to suggest an alternative.

Head north on I-95 from Baltimore (I know this sounds like complete insanity, but hold on). Get off at Exit 74 (Joppa) and head north on Highway 152. Turn right ("north", although you'll actually be heading east) at U.S. Highway 1, which has a Burger King as a landmark. Traffic will be nasty for a few miles but will soon ease up, after you leave Bel Air. Gas is cheap along here, so this may be a good spot to fill up.

Continue on U.S. Highway 1 into PA, past Oxford, Kennett Square, and Chadds Ford. When you get to U.S. Highway 202, head "east" (actually north) towards West Chester. Stay on 202 as it becomes an expressway and heads for Valley Forge.

Watch the signs carefully after Valley Forge, as this is a confusing exit. You want to go east on the PA Turnpike, or I-276, towards New Jersey -- which means for a short while you'll be heading west on I-76 (hey -- I didn't design this!!). You'll be getting on at Exit 326, but get ready to get off at Exit 343, or Highway 611, north towards Doylestown.

Stay on Highway 611 until you reach U.S. Highway 202 (yes, that's the one you just left) and then head east towards New Hope. Stay on U.S. 202 as you cross over into New Jersey and continue towards Flemington and Somerville. Stop for gas along here, as it's the cheapest you'll find on this trip.

After you approach Somerville, follow the signs to I-278 towards Morristown. This entrance can be confusing but, as long as you keep heading for Morristown, you'll be fine.

I like I-278 because it winds completely around NYC, which I would avoid like the plague on ANY day. Stay on this expressway as it swings north, then joins I-87 (New York Thruway), then heads east towards the Tappan Zee Bridge. Continue to stay on I-278 after it leaves I-87 just east of the Hudson River, and then heads for Rye Brook and Port Chester.

I don't know whether I-95 or the Merritt Parkway would be the better route at this point -- others can likely give better advice on this part. Just check traffic reports as you head for Providence RI. And realize you may be bumper to bumper no matter WHERE you drive. After Providence, it appears I-195 goes straight to Wareham.

mirnmax

Thanks all! I figure traffic was going to stink - that's why I was looking for amusing stuff since we have a whole 24+ hours to get to our destination. Mystic was one option that I thought of... just cause of the movie! AND, PaulR, I've written down all your driving instructions, sounds like a good alternative. We've done the Rt. 1 into PA before, just never past PA. Now I know how! Have an awesome day!!

TDudette

Cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and follow your map to Lewes, Delaware. Take ferry to Cape May. Beach, pretty houses and house tours:

http://www.capemaymac.org/attraction...ickestate.html

Ackislander

I agree with T Dudette. The ferry is a lot of fun, and you will be going north on the GSP while everyone else is driving south to the Shore.

I would not try to drive past NYC on the 3rd.

It's only a bit more than 4 hours from the end of the GSP to Wareham. Get up early on the 4th and head east.

Suki

If you follow Paul's route you could overnight somewhere in the Hudson River Valley. Just head north on Rte 9 right after the Tappan Zee Bridge.

When we drive north, we take 95 as far as the Garden State Pkwy, then hop on that and take it to the connector to the Tappan Zee (287 maybe?), then Merritt Pkwy. It can be awful, of course, but I have to say that since they widened the NJTurnpike, it's been much better.

Ackislander

Good points from Suki but you have to get off the Merritt Parkway and return to I-95 at Milford, CT, because the Merritt goes away from the coast, and you need to be on I-95 and I-195 to get to Wareham.

I am still uncomfortable with passing through the NYC area on the 3rd, but maybe I ought not to be a worry wart.

Good luck!

TDudette

I would think the "Get out of town" hustle will be a zoo everywhere. Bay Bridge will be slow. Listen to 103.5 or 99.1 for DC area travel. 99.1 does traffic more often and includes DC and Baltimore.