We're coming from south and heading for Boston. Is there a nice easy way to bypass NYC traffic?

Instead of going thru NYC on 95, you could head north and and then head east either on the Tappan Zee Bridge (which will probably still put you in heavy traffic), or better yet, continue further up to the Beacon Bridge which takes you onto 84 into CT and then you can head north on 91.

You have two options:
1. Continue all the way on I-95 North in New Jersey, go over the George Washington Bridge onto the Henry Hudson Parkway North, which becomes the Saw Mill River Parkway. Continue on this to Route I-684 North to I-84 East, Continue on I-84 through Connecticut and onto the Massachusetts Turnpike to Boston.
2. Continue on I-95 North in New Jersey to Exit 11 (Garden State Parkway). Continue of the Garden State Parkway North to the Tappan Zee Bridge. Follow I-287 East to I-684 North....then pick up above directions to I-84 and beyond.

Thanks Judy and Howard!
Do you know which route takes longer and by how many hours?

Where in the south are you coming from?

Which one takes longer? That's a tough question to answer, as it depends on how much traffic there is and the time of day....and there's always the chance of an accident or something else tieing up traffic.

One thing to add -- a major accident on a route can add hours to a choice. No matter which one you chose:

1) plan out alternatives.
2) have a good map with you so you can readily change your route.
3) while approaching New York, listen to AM 1010 for traffic reports every ten minutes. If you the route you chose has a major delay, take your map and plan out an alternate route.

I half agree with Judy24 on the Beacon Bridge route. I'd stay on 84 all the way to the Pike rather than hopping on 91. That is a longer ride.

I definitely would not do the GW Bridge.

I'd take the Tap to 287 to 684 to 84 to the Pike.

Growing up in CT and having family in CT, NJ and PA, I've done the drive a zillion times and have found the above to be the best route.

From the Tap, it should take about 3.5 hours give or take - of course that's without traffic...