Jacqueline1212

Have gotten directions from several sources - maps.com, AAA, etc. Some route us out 84 across the Tappan Zee and others 84 to 91 to 95 across the Geo. Washington Bridge. Any experiences or opinions? Thanks so much.

soccr

Obviously, it depends a great deal on the time of travel, since the first routes you around NYC and the second puts you pretty much right through it.

Our choice has always been the Tappan Zee route, because we just never wanted to hassle crossing Manhattan. But I have friends who use that second route when they travel on a weekend or late at night and they swear it's quicker. I figure the difference in time is worth not risking bottlenecks or finding yourself making quick decisions about which lane you're supposed to be in in fast-moving traffic on confusing roads.

However, I yield the floor to anyone who sincerely believe the GW Bridge is the way to go. If there is still construction on the NJ side of the Tappan Zee, it can be annoying, and even that route can have a heavy build-up of traffic on significant afternoons, e.g., before a major holiday, etc.

Altoona

I agree with soccr, the Tappen Zee route is the best way to go. Traffic in The City is usually a mess, so I would try to avoid it at all costs.

The other question is do you have to drive? If not the Amtrak goes to Philadlephia from Boston and it's a lot more relaxing than driving.

GBelle

We always take the Tappan Zee, although there is a lot of construction going on after you get across the bridge from NJ to the NY side. It took about 45+ minutes to get just through that about a week ago, and that's just about a 5 mile strip.
A longer alternative, if you wish, is to go up the NY State Thruway to Albany and take the Mass Pike (Rt 90) east to Boston. You can stop in places along the way up to Albany or in Lee/Stockbridge/Sturbridge Village off the Mass Pike.
As I said, though, it's a longer trip.

Jacqueline1212

Thanks for the pros and cons of each choice. We'll check the construction situation with AAA and decide from there.

Cassandra

Jacqueline, you could also consider a route we took to avoid the construction -- get yourself to Peekskill from I-84 (rt. 6 is pretty but winds, rte 35 is more direct), and then follow Rte 6 over to the beginning of the Palisades Parkway -- much less hassle, very pretty, and not all that much out of your way if things are jammed up around the Tappan Zee.

After that, you can hook up with the Garden State by going west on I 87/287 two exits (very short) and then heading south on the Garden State to the NJ Turnpike.

(BTW, getting into Phila. from the NJ Pike is a little peculiar, so check a map. But your alternative is to get over to I-95, which itself is hairy.)