Hutchinson River Pkwy to W Side
 

I posted a few days ago - I'm coming from Boston via the Merritt to the Hutch and was going to take the FDR to the 96th St exit and cut across the park to W 70th. Now it has been suggested that I take the Hutch to the Cross Cnty to the Saw Mill River Pkwy which becomes the Henry Hudson, and then the West Side Hwy. Do Fodorites think this is a good plan?? What exit would I take from the West side Hwy to W 70th? Thanks!!!

Yes it is a good plan if you are headed to the West Side. I've done it and its fairly easy.

Suzanne, the first time you posted you were originally going to take that route and we suggested you take the triborough to the FDR since you were going to the east side. I posted a response last time about how you'd get to east 70th from the H. Hudson. The 79 st exit is probably best but then you have to drive through the park.

We did that drive this week from Boston. It was easy and the traffic was moving. (There is a $2.25 toll.)

We exited the Henry Hudson at 79th St. Not sure what the next exit is.

The nice thing about being on the parkways is that there is no truck or bus traffic.

cw

Thanks for your posts. The drive to the east side via FDR was so easy, I thought I would stay within my comfort zone and take that route again, and cut through the park to the west side. But if you think the Henry Hudson is the better way, I'll give it a shot. Does the Henry Hudson become the West Side Hwy? Or will I get off earlier than that? Thanks!!

Oh, I see this time you're going to the west side! The Henry Hudson becomes the West Side hwy. If you're going to the west side, you're probably better entering the city on the west side. It's just I don't care for the Saw Mill because it's so twisty and windy and on your original post, I saw there were some others who agreed with me.

Suzanne, From Boston, take the Mass Pike to 84 through Hartford/Waterbury/Danbury to 684 towards White Plains to the Saw Mill River Parkway (Exit 6 I believe), which turns into the Henry Hudson Parkway which turns into the West Side Highway. Get off at 79th Street. We go this way all the time - only takes 3 - 3 1/2 hours (I do drive between 70-80 mph though). This way you do not have to cut through Manhattan and deal with traffic.

Exit at 79th Street on the West Side Highway. Drive one block to West End Avenue, make a right and drive to W. 70. I believe W. 70th is one way from west to east. The next exit off the highway is at 56th St.