can we avoid route s 295 and 95?
 

I have to do the nearly unthinkable task of driving, on a sunday, in the summer, from Wilmington DE to Westchester county, ny, made even more unthinkable since I can't leave early and avoid the traffic. I will be dropping off a passenger at the Amtrak at noon on sunday and then must make my way back to nys. is there a way to avoid the congestion on 295 and 95 without adding hours on to this trip? I would appreciate any advice. thank you all!

The Jersey Turnpike is good/not horrible up to the construction north of Bordentown. If they are not working on Sunday it might be okay through this section except for where Shore traffic merges. Once the car and truck lanes split, I haven't found it to be a problem.

However. The logical route to Westchester on a weekday would be the GSP to 287 to the Tappan Zee, but the one Imelda I drove that on a Sunday, it was a horror on 287. Maybe a local can help. Lincoln Tunnel to Manhattan?

Avoid the Lincoln Tunnel at any time - and going through Manhattan is NEVER faster.

You might want to the Garden state versus 95 when you get far enough north - and take that to the Tappan Zee - but listen to traffic radio to see which is better/worse.

By "295 and 95," I assume you're speaking of the highways below Wilmington near the Delaware Memorial Bridge. That area is definitely congested on weekends, but any alternative (such as I-95 northward through Philadelphia) will prolong your trip significantly.

North of Philly, there is, inexplicably, no direct connection between I-95 and I-276, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which you'd have to use eastbound to connect to the New Jersey Turnpike to continue northward. As noted, the NJTP can be horrendous on weekends, particularly in construction zones. Again, there are alternate routes, but they're longer, both by the clock and the odometer.

Also as noted, you can use the Garden State Parkway off the NJTP, or even I-287, to get the the Tappan Zee Bridge.

OK, I'm assuming you want to avoid the Philly metro congestion (I-95/495)?

When you leave the Wilmington train station, take 95N, then the exit for Route 202N. Follow it all the way through PA, to the PA Tpke. Take it east to the NJ Tpke north. That will get you above Phila and within about an hour of where the Tpke splts and the traffic eases. Then take the GSP to 287 to Tappan Zee.

Nothing's perfect, given the time you're traveling, but thae above is just one suggestion.

Do not take the Lincoln Tunnel or the GW Bridge.

Mid-day on a summer Sunday, I'm guessing the traffic around Philly shouldn't be too bad (unless perhaps if you hit it right as a Phillies game is letting out). If you get onto the GSP early enough it should be OK, but by late afternoon it will be congested with NYers heading home from the shore. 287 should be fine.

" going through Manhattan is NEVER faster"

Before noon on Sunday, sure it certainly can be! If they aren't having a road race or something.

Going through Manhattan is fast in the middle of the night - but by 11 am on a Sunday there are places that will be mobbed. And all summer there are street fairs in various neighborhoods that can definitely cause traffic to back up.

And the OP won;t be in Manhattan early in the AM.

thank you all so much! will try for the GSP to the TZB.

So I'll ask the stupid question.. why can't this passenger take a train from DE to get to an Amtrak station? Inquiring minds.

Huh? The Amtrak station is in DE. What's the question?

You wrote "... I will be dropping off a passenger at the Amtrak at noon ..." Which sounded to me like you were driving someone from Wilmington to an Amtrak staion in Westchester. Apparently that's not the case, but that's what it sounded like. Since there is Amtrak service from Wilmington to NYC and beyond or the Metro North train from NYC to Westchester, I wonder why you're having to make this awful roundtrip by car? No need to answer since it's not my business, but one wonders.