driving from JFK to Hawthorne?
Sep 13th, 2007, 03:22 AM
#21
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Thanks for tips,
We are now re-thinking our 1st night and am looking at all your suggestions.
What has made us think is a gentleman mentioned it will be going dark around 5pm, and we anticipate leaving airport around 4pm ish(being our flights on time and luggage/car hire all go smoothly)so we do not fancy driving around the NY road system in the dark!!
I welcome all your feedback
We are now re-thinking our 1st night and am looking at all your suggestions.
What has made us think is a gentleman mentioned it will be going dark around 5pm, and we anticipate leaving airport around 4pm ish(being our flights on time and luggage/car hire all go smoothly)so we do not fancy driving around the NY road system in the dark!!
I welcome all your feedback
Sep 13th, 2007, 04:55 AM
#22
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I don't want to disagree with my friend, Debi, but there isn't anything to see in Armonk in the dark. And the only accomodation gets horrible reviews (IBM is not what it used to be either).
Additionally, you WILL hit rush hour on 684 and perhaps you won't like it because cars travel 65/70 mph -- I should know, I take it every day on my commute.
The directions Howard gave are good. I'm heading for PT near Comfort Inn and if I can I'll pop in and check it out for you.
Additionally, you WILL hit rush hour on 684 and perhaps you won't like it because cars travel 65/70 mph -- I should know, I take it every day on my commute.
The directions Howard gave are good. I'm heading for PT near Comfort Inn and if I can I'll pop in and check it out for you.
Sep 13th, 2007, 06:00 AM
#24
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Ann,
I think there is NO need to change your plans.
As you know when you post on Fodors lots of good suggestions will continue to flow ad infinitum. We all mean to be helpful, but at some point enough info is enough. Keep what you have so you can take care of all the rest of the planning you want to look forward to.
1. HOTEL:
Your hotel - both choice and location are just fine. The price is great too. You will not find anything better for that price range. Several posters mention Tarrytown. For all intents and purposes there is NO difference in location between Hawthorne and Tarrytown. You can drive between any of those hotels mentioned and yours in 5min or less. All the other hotels are more expensive - in some cases much more expensive than the Comfort Inn. I check last night and even used special local corporate rates and found nothing comparable $.
2. DRIVING:
Sunset on Oct 22 is after 6pm. You will be driving the whole route in daylight. The route from Howard is just fine. Don't worry about the comments about winding parkways. These roads are no different from anything you've driven on at home. Busy with traffic, yes, but all going the same direction, divided highways. If you forget you are in the US and drive in the left lane as you would at home nobody will care as long as you don't dawdle and block traffic.
regards,
J62
I think there is NO need to change your plans.
As you know when you post on Fodors lots of good suggestions will continue to flow ad infinitum. We all mean to be helpful, but at some point enough info is enough. Keep what you have so you can take care of all the rest of the planning you want to look forward to.
1. HOTEL:
Your hotel - both choice and location are just fine. The price is great too. You will not find anything better for that price range. Several posters mention Tarrytown. For all intents and purposes there is NO difference in location between Hawthorne and Tarrytown. You can drive between any of those hotels mentioned and yours in 5min or less. All the other hotels are more expensive - in some cases much more expensive than the Comfort Inn. I check last night and even used special local corporate rates and found nothing comparable $.
2. DRIVING:
Sunset on Oct 22 is after 6pm. You will be driving the whole route in daylight. The route from Howard is just fine. Don't worry about the comments about winding parkways. These roads are no different from anything you've driven on at home. Busy with traffic, yes, but all going the same direction, divided highways. If you forget you are in the US and drive in the left lane as you would at home nobody will care as long as you don't dawdle and block traffic.
regards,
J62
Sep 13th, 2007, 06:11 AM
#25
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Correction to my time...I believe the table I used did not take into account daylight savings time ending later this year. You should have enough daylight to find your way.
I agree with the statement that there is no difference between Tarrytown and Hawthorne (other than hotel prices being higher in Tarrytown).
I agree with the statement that there is no difference between Tarrytown and Hawthorne (other than hotel prices being higher in Tarrytown).
Sep 13th, 2007, 07:11 AM
#27
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AnnRiley, please don't worry so much about the driving! 
As others have said, you will still have daylight when you are driving from JFK to your hotel. The roads are well-traveled by many commuters every day, and IMO the parkways are preferable to other roadways because you don't have to deal with trucks, just cars.
I suggest going to maps.google.com and typing in "hutchinson river parkway" so you can see what the roadway looks like. (You can do this for your entire route by clicking "Get directions".) Use the + and - to zoom in and out.
Also FYI, there is a decent rest area on the Hutch shortly before you get to I-287, with a gas station, small market, and rest rooms. You could pull off here and kind of catch your breath and congratulate yourselves on having successfully driven out of NYC. The ramp for the rest area is on the left side of the roadway. Once you get onto I-287, it's a wide, well-marked road.
No worries!
As others have said, you will still have daylight when you are driving from JFK to your hotel. The roads are well-traveled by many commuters every day, and IMO the parkways are preferable to other roadways because you don't have to deal with trucks, just cars. I suggest going to maps.google.com and typing in "hutchinson river parkway" so you can see what the roadway looks like. (You can do this for your entire route by clicking "Get directions".) Use the + and - to zoom in and out.
Also FYI, there is a decent rest area on the Hutch shortly before you get to I-287, with a gas station, small market, and rest rooms. You could pull off here and kind of catch your breath and congratulate yourselves on having successfully driven out of NYC.
The ramp for the rest area is on the left side of the roadway. Once you get onto I-287, it's a wide, well-marked road.No worries!
Sep 13th, 2007, 07:19 AM
#28
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First of all, the rate you got at the Comfort Inn is a really good one. I know that Comfort Inn very well and think you'll have trouble matching that at another place of equal quality. I agree with some of the other posters that you should keep that reservation.
Incidentally, it has an indoor swimming pool, if that's of any interest.
As for dining, the motel is right inbetween a diner and an Appleby's.
As for your driving to Lenox, it'll take you less than 3 hours from Hawthorne. As previously suggested, drive there on the Taconic State Parkway, which is fairly easy to access from the Comfort Inn.
Incidentally, it has an indoor swimming pool, if that's of any interest.
As for dining, the motel is right inbetween a diner and an Appleby's.
As for your driving to Lenox, it'll take you less than 3 hours from Hawthorne. As previously suggested, drive there on the Taconic State Parkway, which is fairly easy to access from the Comfort Inn.
Sep 13th, 2007, 07:28 AM
#29
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Ooh, my edits didn't show up (so many smiley faces!). I wanted to add that with the Google maps, click on the Satellite button to get an idea of the actual lay of the land! (I think the photos for that area were taken in early spring - there aren't any leaves on the trees...)
Sep 13th, 2007, 10:07 AM
#30
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Many thanks for all your answers, we decided to err on side of caution (as hubby is really nervous at thought of driving thru peak hour new york traffic) to stay at the Marriot Residence inn in New Rochelle this looks at lot nearer and the route looks a lot easier.
We have had to pay more £££ but, for peace of mind hubby thinks its worth it.
Again, many thanks to all who replied
We have had to pay more £££ but, for peace of mind hubby thinks its worth it.
Again, many thanks to all who replied
Sep 13th, 2007, 10:35 AM
#31
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Oh. That is too bad.
I just checked the room at the Comfort Inn and it is very nice and clean. Lovely pool, within walking distance to the dinner, Applebees, onsite laundry. Easy on off of the highway enroute to your final destination.
I don't understand why you would want to stay in New Rochelle (dodgy area and from the outside the Marriott residence does not look as nice as the CI). Will you have to pay additional to park your car?
I just checked the room at the Comfort Inn and it is very nice and clean. Lovely pool, within walking distance to the dinner, Applebees, onsite laundry. Easy on off of the highway enroute to your final destination.
I don't understand why you would want to stay in New Rochelle (dodgy area and from the outside the Marriott residence does not look as nice as the CI). Will you have to pay additional to park your car?
Sep 13th, 2007, 12:02 PM
#33
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I'm with those who say you should stick to your original plans.
As for your husband's concern about "driving through peak hour new york traffic," he's not avoiding the trickiest part by staying in New Rochelle. Relatively speaking, the trickiest part is BEFORE you get to the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge (or any other bridge) to leave that area. And, you've still have to cross that bridge for either destination! Once you're over the bridge, it's not that much more complex to get to Hawthorne than it is to New Rochelle. All the roads and the exits on that side of the bridge are clearly marked if you follow the directions given above.
As for your husband's concern about "driving through peak hour new york traffic," he's not avoiding the trickiest part by staying in New Rochelle. Relatively speaking, the trickiest part is BEFORE you get to the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge (or any other bridge) to leave that area. And, you've still have to cross that bridge for either destination! Once you're over the bridge, it's not that much more complex to get to Hawthorne than it is to New Rochelle. All the roads and the exits on that side of the bridge are clearly marked if you follow the directions given above.
Sep 13th, 2007, 02:19 PM
#34
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Our UK visitors usually arrive weary but are raring to go very early the following morning (EARLY). I would suggest you consider spending the night at a JFK airport and then starting bright and early the following day. I've also been reading the reviews of that CI in Hawthorne and there are complaints about the comfort of the beds.
Poster NeoPatrick stayed at the Courtyard JFK a few months ago and wrote:
By the way, our room at Courtyard at JFK was VERY nice, newly done, and they have fantastic new beds -- super comfortable, and rain showers in the bathrooms. I was very impressed with the place for an airport hotel, and their shuttle service was great in picking us up yesterday at the rental car return and bringing us to JFK this morning.
This was in the thread titled NeoPatrick's month in NYC. He also talks about spending an hour in traffic to go 10 miles at 5 pm (granted not in the same direction as you'd be going, but still...). Get off the plane, get the car, go to a nearby hotel, have a bite and get a good night's sleep and start early in the morning. That's my 2 penneth.
Poster NeoPatrick stayed at the Courtyard JFK a few months ago and wrote:
By the way, our room at Courtyard at JFK was VERY nice, newly done, and they have fantastic new beds -- super comfortable, and rain showers in the bathrooms. I was very impressed with the place for an airport hotel, and their shuttle service was great in picking us up yesterday at the rental car return and bringing us to JFK this morning.
This was in the thread titled NeoPatrick's month in NYC. He also talks about spending an hour in traffic to go 10 miles at 5 pm (granted not in the same direction as you'd be going, but still...). Get off the plane, get the car, go to a nearby hotel, have a bite and get a good night's sleep and start early in the morning. That's my 2 penneth.
Sep 13th, 2007, 03:33 PM
#35
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God my heads spinning... Have not cancelled CI in hawthorne yet, as i want to keep my options open. On the Map we have in Uk Hawthorne looks miles from New Rochelle but, you all say its not that far/or difficult.
You are right about us Brits being up with the lark the 1st day of our hols, time difference etc. I normally wake about 5am on the 1st day, so we always get an early start to our hols in us.
Again, lots to think about, booking the rest of the hol was a breeze, its just the NY area frightens the bejusus out of us as it sounds like a mad house.
You are right about us Brits being up with the lark the 1st day of our hols, time difference etc. I normally wake about 5am on the 1st day, so we always get an early start to our hols in us.
Again, lots to think about, booking the rest of the hol was a breeze, its just the NY area frightens the bejusus out of us as it sounds like a mad house.
Sep 13th, 2007, 03:46 PM
#36
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Ann,
I remember your first post a few mo ago when you originally planned to stay right at JFK. I was one of the many who chimed in then that it did not make sense, since you were arriving at 2pm, to stay right at JFK for the night. Staying at JFK makes sense when you have a very early am flight out the next day, not when you arrive, in my opinion. Same holds true when I fly Europe or Asia.
I drive the exact route you've planned about once a month (well, not the final few miles to the hotel, of course).
I stick by my 1st recommendation head out of NYC for the 1st night - it's only 4pm NY, 9pm London. Full daylight.
If you want some hand holding along the way email me and I'll help out.
Sleep on it, get some rest to stop the spinning.
j62
I remember your first post a few mo ago when you originally planned to stay right at JFK. I was one of the many who chimed in then that it did not make sense, since you were arriving at 2pm, to stay right at JFK for the night. Staying at JFK makes sense when you have a very early am flight out the next day, not when you arrive, in my opinion. Same holds true when I fly Europe or Asia.
I drive the exact route you've planned about once a month (well, not the final few miles to the hotel, of course).
I stick by my 1st recommendation head out of NYC for the 1st night - it's only 4pm NY, 9pm London. Full daylight.
If you want some hand holding along the way email me and I'll help out.
Sleep on it, get some rest to stop the spinning.
j62
Sep 13th, 2007, 07:01 PM
#37
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As I think I implied before but maybe didn't state clearly enough: as HowardR says, the worst of the driving is before you get to the mainland. So IMO, your options are (a)stay at JFK, or (b)any of the other options are equal as far as driving is concerned.
FWIW, my sister stayed at the Residence Inn (Marriott) in New Rochelle. The amount of security guards at the place scared the bejesus out of her - though she said once in the room, her stay was quite pleasant. (I don't know what in particular caused there to be so many security guards on the premises.)
Staying at the airport would be a fine, if somewhat uninspiring start to your holiday. If you decide to stay elsewhere, have confidence! There's no problem staying in one lane and taking it slow. And the entire trip to Hawthorne could be as brief as 45 minutes!
Good luck with your decision!
FWIW, my sister stayed at the Residence Inn (Marriott) in New Rochelle. The amount of security guards at the place scared the bejesus out of her - though she said once in the room, her stay was quite pleasant. (I don't know what in particular caused there to be so many security guards on the premises.)
Staying at the airport would be a fine, if somewhat uninspiring start to your holiday. If you decide to stay elsewhere, have confidence! There's no problem staying in one lane and taking it slow. And the entire trip to Hawthorne could be as brief as 45 minutes!
Good luck with your decision!
Sep 14th, 2007, 04:58 AM
#39
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You know Ann, I completely understand how you feel. We are faced with having my husband rent a car at Heathrow on Christmas Eve and drive, lol. I've just decided to take some drugs and sleep through it all. 
Everything will be fine and you will have a fabulous trip. I hope the bed at CI will be fine -- I didn't have the nerve to test it out.
Everything will be fine and you will have a fabulous trip. I hope the bed at CI will be fine -- I didn't have the nerve to test it out.
Sep 14th, 2007, 05:08 AM
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Ann, I think you made a most sensible decision. Staying at JFK would only mean getting a late start the next morning, since you'd have to wait until at least 9:30-10 in the morning before leaving because of the heavy morning commuter traffic.....and there would probably still be a lot of traffic then!
