I need to drive from Wash. DC to Highland Falls, NY (West Point). According to Rand McNally.com I head up 95/NJT and then take the Garden State Parkway at exit 11,I guess around Perth Amboy. Is that exit clearly marked and easy to find? I'm remembering a time when I drove to NY before, and it was pretty confusing with local and non-local lanes and I got perilously close to the GW Bridge. However, I'm thinking that maybe that time I was driving from Newark Airport to West Point. Basically what I'm trying to find out NOW is simply whether it's easy to take the NJT to the Garden State, or is there anywhere I might get messed up! Looks easy on the map, but just wanted to make sure, since I have this vague memory of Fort Lee, a ton of signs, and a lot of confusion around the bridge. Thanks.

I live in the area of West Point so I am very familiar with the route. You should take the New Jersey Turnpike north to the Garden State Parkway north to the New York Thruway (87) south (toward the Tappan Zee Bridge) to the Palisades Parkway north to the end at Bear Mountain Circle. The Palisades Parkway north splits right after the sign for exit # 18. You want to bear right toward West Point. Continue to the Bear Mountain Circle where you will go 3/4 of the way around and exit at the sign that reads 9W West Point Newburgh. Proceed straight on 9W north and exit right at the Highland Falls West Point 218 sign. Your landmarks will be Nicole's Caterers and a motel on your left. 218 is also known as Main Street in Highland Falls. Proceed straight for approximately 2 miles to the Thayer Gate. When you enter town bear right when the road splits at the town clock and gazebo. This road leads directly to the gate. There will be a McDonald's on your right as you near the gate. If you don't have a DoD sticker on your car you will have to stay right and show your driver's license to the mp. You will have also to state where you are going on base. After that the mp will look under your hood and in your trunk. Any other area questions let me know. Skip getting off on the turnpike in Ridgefield to get on the parkway in Fort Lee.

Yes, it is clearly marked coming up the NJ Turnpike to Exit 11 and onto the Garden State Parkway (North). You should have no problem.

Merilee_Tucker can take you from there.

Merilee's directions are perfect!

Sounds great - thanks! I have an employee who will be driving up, and she's never been there (unlike me). The instructions are great and the landmarks are helpful. (I think I remember that motel - Palisades Motor Lodge or something like that - now a Best Western, I think)? I know I used to get confused with all the different parts of 218 and 9W encircling the area - took me several trips to West Point to figure out how to get from Newburgh to the Mint (on 218 near the [I forget which - Washington maybe?] entrance to the Academy, and then the Mint to the restaurants in Highland Falls without going through the Academy, etc. You see a million signs for WP and want to turn at all of them! Anyway, thanks for the info. Your directions have made it easy and failsafe, even for a newbie!

So where do you live? I come up to the

oops - meant to say I come up there once in a while! Gorgeous area. I hear there are now boat rides to that castle in the middle of the Hudson that used to fascinate me!

You're talking about Bannerman Castle. They've recently started offering the tour, departing from either Newburgh or Beacon. We're booked for a Sunday in July. For more info, check out www.prideofthehudson.com.

roothy123,
I live just a couple miles from West Point along the Hudson River. Best Western no longer owns the motel you mentioned. It's named The Palisade Motel. Washington gate sits under Storm King Mountain. You have to have a DoD sticker on your vehicle to get in through that gate. It's right near the golf course. Stony Lonesome gate is off 9W and that one puts you near the px. Prior to 9/11 you could walk on post and enjoy the grounds. I loved to visit the Army mules and bring them carrots or apples. That privilege has since been suspended due to security concerns, which are necessary. When you exit the GSP to get on the NY Thruway position yourself in the middle. The left continues north and the right is a local exit. On the thruway merge left but stay in the right lane because you won't have far to drive for the PIP north exit. If I may ask, are you in the military?

I find driving I-287 a much easier drive than going on the Parkway, which I used to do. Probably a little longer (in miles) drive than GSPW, but less stressful, and sometimes less time. Locate it looping west of GSPW & NJTP, near Perth Amboy, reconnecting almost at NYS Thruway (exit 14?).