What is the best route to the new jersey tpk
at around 5pm friday from connecticut. I just want someone who knows nyc traffic to decide one of two ways for me. First Merrit tpk-287- tappan zee bridge-garden st parkway-
80-to njtpk OR merrit-287-87-GWB-njtpk.
Thanks for your help Bob

well, Bob, in my house there are two opinions on this
My husband the native NYer says he would take the most direct route,the GWB-
I think that the Cross Bronx is hell on earth so would do anything to avoid it, so my vote is the Tappan Zee..
Hope it is an easy trip for you~c

Bob, unfortunately the reality is that at 5:00pm on Friday in the NY metro area you're going to find a traffic jam even if you're just going around the corner to get some milk.

That being said, I'd vote for the more direct route with the GWB, if only because the Tappan Zee will also be backed up, so why go out of the way. Another thought: If you do end up with the Tappan Zee, I think you can take the Palisades exit south and that will lead you into the NJTpk. That would be more direct than going out to the Garden State and then cutting back on 80.

By the way, I hope you're not going to be doing it tomorrow, since it's the start of a holiday weekend, which has its own set of problems. Good luck.

It's really a tossup at that hour. I suggest you listen to radio station WINS (1010) as you are driving along the Merritt. The station gives traffic reports every 10 minutes. Then, based your route on which one sounds "less bad"!

Howard's right about listening to the radio and mapping out your "strategy".

And in case you don't already know, not only does 1010 WINS give the traffic update at exactly 1 minute after the hour, and on the ones thereafter (11, 21, 31, etc.), but there is also 880 (CBS) which does it 8 minutes after the hour, and on the 8's thereafter, as well as 1130 (Bloomberg) which does it 5 minutes after the hour, and on the 5's thereafter. So when it's really important, you can flip from 1010 to 1130 to 880 to catch anything one of the other stations might have omitted in a matter of minutes, and plan your trip that way.

I'm from Westchester and can tell you that the Tapan Zee is no time saver. There is major construction going on right now on 287 that leads to the bridge. I say take the Merrit to the Hutch to the Cross County to the Henry Hudson to the GWB. This will elinate the Cross Bronx traffic. but you'll have to pay the 1.75 toll on the Hudson.

I would go with the Cross County to the Henry Hudson to the GWB to the turnpike. Definitely the way to go if you have EZ Pass - last I saw - and I'll admit it's been a while - there have been 2 long lines of non EZ pass cars lining up to pay cash for the when there are about 5 EZ pass lanes.

I second Tracy's suggestion. After paying the $1.75 toll on the bridge stay to the left and follows the signs directing you to the GW bridge. I would definately avoid the Tappan Zee, Cross Bronx and 87 approach. There is one other alternative if you are north of I84. 84 to cross the Hudson at Newburgh to 87 to 287 to the NJT. A longer route but there should be no problem or delay crossing the Hudson

Bob:
I am not sure which part of CT you are talking about so:
If you can, this is the way I would go. Take I-84 over the Newburgh Beacon Bridge to exit 10S the NY State Thruway. Get off at the exit for the Palisades Parkway South. Take that straight down past the George Washington Bridge and onto I 95. If you want there is also an exit for the Garden State Parkway right off the New York State Thruway just before the exit for the Palisade Parkway. Like other here have said If at all possible AVOID the Bross Bronx Expressway. You'll get to your destination on Saturday! Rememeber that that is Prime rush hour time and as you travel closer to NYC the traffic will be heavier. 880 and 1010 AM radio are great for local traffic news. For the traffic while you travel down, try WHUD 100.7 AM. Hope this helps!

These kind of posts are what make this forum so great. (No, I'm not fodor's staff, just a frequent user.)