Jeanette16

I need some help please. I have to take my son to college in Worcester, Mass and need better directions then I can get on mapquest or google. The one and only time I have made this trip, I went NJTP to GWB and followed 95 thru Connecticut. I hated going thru the Bronx and over GWB. Several people have told me that the Tappen Zee bridge is easier. Can someone help me with this?? Thank you in advance,

nytraveler

GWB or Tappan Zee bridge can be a toss up. On any given day one can be better than another. the best idea is to listen to 1010WINS radio as you approach the city to see what it says about the GWB.

However, once you get off the GWB there is no need to head across the Bronx and up 95 unless you are pulling a trailer. If you have just a regular car you can use many alternate routes - including parkways, which can be more pleasant and less crowded - since trucks or buses are not allowed.

so if the GWB is decent - google a route via Henry hudson, saw mill, coss county, hutchinson, and merritt - to keep off 95.

If the GWB is bad hed for the Tappan Zee, then 287 to 684 and then 84.

However, this whole area has busy traffic at rush hours - and any road can be mobbed. Your best bet is to get through either early in the am - before 7 - or after 8 in the evening.

emalloy

nytraveler has given some good advice, and usually Tappan Zee has been easier for me. To get to it, get over to Garden State pky justs south of the city and watch the lanes carefully as you want to be going north, somehow I always feel like I am heading south as I approach it.

Michael

You could play with the Google map to find a route to your satisfaction. Once you see the itinerary, place the cursor on the blue line and move it. Thus place the cursor on the line before the GWB and move it north and Google will give you the Tappan Zee as an alternative. If you do not like the CT turnpike, slide the line north and you will get an alternative that passes by Hartford.

absolutkz

I've done this route many times - I take the Parkway to the Tappan Zee, and then 287 to 684 to 84 to the Mass Pike. I hate the trucks on 95, and find this route to be the least amount of stress. My dad insisted my way was longer - ask him how long he sat on the GWB by going his way.

irishswampyankee

Agree with absolutkz. We always do it that way in the opposite direction. Plus, getting to Worcester is so much easier this way than from 95.

Jeanette16

Thank you everyone! I have decided on the GSP to TZB to 287 then 684 to 84 and then onto 90. Sounds much easier then dealing with the GWB and 95. I assume the signage is clear for all these roads? Also, coming back, just reverse my steps?

gail

Signage of Garden State Parkway to Tappan Zee Bridge was small on my last trip - so be careful. And signage to Rte 684 is impossible - so be alert there as well.

You can set GPS for Nyack, NY and then Danbury, CT - that usually works.

owlwoman

After you cross the TZB, take the Saw Mill River Parkway North which ends and merges into 684, it's a nice shortcut.

Judy24

owlwoman's advice is excellent.

We always take that route.

SB_Travlr

Another vote for Tappan Zee! We live in Hartford, often visit our daughter in DC. It can be busy like all the bridges, but transitions are pretty simple (just watch carefully for the sign to get on 684 after you cross the bridge). Then I84 to Mass Pike to Worcester -- pretty straightforward.

If you want some down-home food on your route, we love the Travelers Book Restaurant just off exit 74 in Union CT <http://gonewengland.about.com/od/connecticutdining/ss/foodandfreebook.htm> -- it's just before you get to the Mass border and the Pike. Good fresh-cooked food, affordable prices, and a huge library of used books, some free with your meal! Makes a nice change from highway food. ;-)

hawksbill

I will also recommend the Tappan Zee, and encourage you to avoid the GWB. Do not take any part of I-95 at any time.

But after the Tappan Zee, I prefer 287 to the Hutch/Merritt/Wilbur Cross to I-91 to I-84 to I-90, rather than the 684 to 84 route. The Merritt route is a little bit faster if there's no traffic. The Merritt can get really ugly if there's outbound rush hour traffic, and you can avoid that traffic at first by getting on 684. However, when I've done that, I've ended up hitting some traffic anyway, somewhere around Brewster or Danbury, and I eventually came to the conclusion that it wasn't really worth it, except perhaps if you're leaving NY right in the heart of rush hour.

Jeanette16

Thank you all very much!! One last question: If I take the Tappen Zee to 684, do I still get on 287? Thanks for all the great information.

HowardR

Yes, that's the connector between the Tappan Zee and 684.

Judy24

Or use the route that owlwoman suggests. After the Tappan Zee take the Saw Mill River Parkway North which ends/merges into 684. Shorter distance (I think?) and easier driving since no commercial vehicles are allowed on the SM.

HowardR

owlwoman and Judy24 have made an excellent suggestion. After you get off the Tappan Zee Bridge, BRIEFLY follow along I-87 (NOT 287) to the exit for Saw Mill River Parkway North. Then take that road directly to 684.

Judy24

Additional info: The sign should say Saw Mill towards Elmsford. It comes pretty soon after you go thru the tolls on the TZB. I believe the exit number is 8A, but don't hold me to it. I'd suggest you check on Google maps.

hawksbill

I never thought of that Saw Mill shortcut. That's a good tip. I think it might make this route as fast as the Merritt route, although it won't be as scenic.

Make sure you stay on I-84 all the way through Hartford. For some reason, Google Maps says to take I-691 to I-91, and then switch back to I-84 after Hartford. Google Maps thinks that saves two minutes, but on Sunday evenings there's sometimes a big backup on the off-ramp from I-91 to the Charter Oak Bridge, which connects to I-84.

hawksbill

Oops, it was the other "driving to Massachusetts" thread that specified Sunday evening. Jeanette16 didn't specify a day or time. But in any case, that Charter Oak Bridge delay happens on other days and times too, and I think it would always be better to stay on I-84 all the way to and through Hartford.

absolutkz

Thanks for the tip on Saw Mill Parkway - going to try that next time. 287 can be hectic at times.