My husband and I will be in NYC the first week of Sept and decided to drive to Boston instead of taking a train or plane due to we can be able to stop at our own leisure. Does anyone have any good suggestions about places to visit, outlet shopping, sites to definately see along the way. We are just driving for that one day. Is it worth driving or just taking the train and/or plane?? Pam

Hmm. Driving for one day. Do you mean up and back in the same day? If so, it's doable, but you won't have much time to do much else. I did it a couple of weeks ago. Its around 210 miles each way (most direct route). The best I've done it in is 3 hours. THe worst is much worse - traffic can be awful around New York City, and sometimes you don't move for hours. Basically, I don't think you can do a day trip from NYC to Boston unless you fly, and even that will be very rushed.

If you do drive, don't drive up 95. It takes much longer.

First of all, I wouldn't recommend doing the trip in three hours. (Charles, you were very lucky you weren't stop for speeding along the way!) It's a normal 3 1/2 to four-hour drive with minimal stops.
The best route is to pick up 684 north of the city to I-84 through Connecticut to the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) right into Boston.
I can't help with any outlets along the way, but Sturbridge Village, an interesting early American restoration just before the Massachusetts Turnpike is worth a visit.
YOu might consider flying to Boston and spending the extra time in that wonderful city!

What I meant by one day is that we are not going round trip, we are just driving to Boston and will eventually leave Boston to go back home via plane. I was just wanting to know if there were any interesting stops on the way up to Boston. Thanks. Pam

If you do decide to drive, use Howard's (post above) directions. That is hands down the best route. As for outlet shopping, the only place along that route that I can think of are the Worcester Common Outlets in downtown Worcester, MA. There are numerous malls (think Gap/Macys/Filenes) along that route also.

We drove from NYC to Boston the weekend before last. It took about 4 hours with
traffic. There is giant mall of outlets about 45 min to an hour north of NY in Harriman, NY just off of I-87. It's close to the connection to I-84. This may take you a little (maybe an hour) out of your way, but the place is huge. Here's the URL:

http://www.chelseagca.com/location/woodbury/wood.html

Ed is talking about Woodbury Common, and if you're into outlets, then it is definitely a must-stop for you! I believe there are more than 200 shops there. It's about an hour from NYC and it's an easy drive taking I-87 all the way to Exit 16. After shopping, you go back on I-87 North to Exit 17, where to take I-84 East, following the directions I previously gave. I'm guessing that it would add about an hour or so to your Boston trip.

Woodbury Common is an hour out of your way, and not worth it if you have other interests. If you take I-95 you could visit Yale and Mystic CT. Both very interesting for different reasons. Hartford has Mark Twain's and Harriet Beecher Stowe houses and some good museums. Essex is an interesting whaling town. And Providence RI has much to offer if you like colonial architecture.

Thanks for the clear up, Pam. In that case I would second the poster immediately above me. Yale (in New Haven), Essex, and Mystic all make very interesting stops. They are the only reason to drive 95, but well worth it. THere is no decent shopping along the 95 route though. Woodbury Common really would be the best for that, unless you went up to Vermont, N.H. or Maine after Boston. Skip the one in Worcester - its fairly worthless.

As for routes, the 84 route is best if you are going in a high traffic time. Shortest route is up the Merrit to 91 to 84. Around half an hour faster at non-rush hours. But many people do NOT like driving the Meritt - its very twisty with no median or breakdown lanes.

Sorry, Charles, but Merritt Pkwy to 91 to 84 is NOT the shortest route. 684 to 84 is!
Pam, I would suggest you perhaps decide what type of attractions would most appeal to you. If shopping is number one, then a side trip to Woodbury Common is the thing.
If museums, there is wonderful one just off I-84 in Farmington, a suburb of Hartford. It's the Hill-Stead Museum and is definitely worth a stop. It is a 14-room house/museum, containing one of Monet's Haystacks paintings, along with art by Manet, Casssatt, Degas and Whister. It's a unique experience in that you feel like you're in someone's home viewing his/her art rather than in a museum. It is located a short distance off Exit 39 on I-84.
A visit there and Sturbridge Village would make for a delightful day, while at the same time taking you via the shortest route to Boston!
(Sorry I didn't think of the Hill-Stead before.)

If you take the longer 95 route for the above attractions and keep going on 95 towards Rhode Island, there is a smaller but still pretty big mall of outlets from the same company in Clinton, CT right off of 95.

The URL:

http://www.chelseagca.com/location/clinton/clin.html

I do the drive every week. Charles is correct as to the shortest route.

Howard,
I drive between NYC and Boston with fair frequency. On both routes. You're going have a fairly hard time convincing me that you're right. Have you looked at a map?

This is interesting! (At least we're not being nasty about it!) I've taken the 684/84 route for years and find it a half hour shorter! (Besides, I'll do anything to avoid I-95!)

I have driven many times between New York and New England, and I agree that the 684/84 is the easiest, most relaxing way to go, technically it may be a few more miles. Sturbridge Village is the only thing I'd consider stopping for en route.

Howard,
I agree with you totally on the subject of 95. I'm not sure if I was clear - the route that I'm talking about never sets foot (or tire) on 95. I also agree that the 684/84 route is more relaxing. A lot of people really don't enjoy driving the Merit, and 684/84 plays it mmuch safer on the traffic front. That said, I find I can make 3 hours downtown Boston to the West Village on the Merit Route, and I can never do that well on 684/84. It's consistently around a half hour longer, not because of traffic, but length.

Charles, I still can't believe you make that trip in 3 hours! (Fess up, how fast do you drive?)

Which hwy. do I take and which exit to get to Sturbridge? approx. how many miles off the exit is S. Village?

Peggy, assuming you are coming from the south, Sturbridge Village is right off I-84 shortly after you cross the border from Connecticut. I forget whether it's exit 1, 2 0r 3, but, there signs, so you can't go wrong.

Peggy,

Sturbridge is very close to the Highway. A few miles.

Howard - I usually try to stay between 70-75. A little leadfooted, admittedly. Closer to 75 near boston, closer to 60 near New York (congestion and roads). You need to average 70 to make it in three hours. No stops of course. Its 210 miles downtown to downtown - better if you're going to the upper west side, of course.