Phila. to Farmington driving route
 

Hi Fellow Roadtrippers,
We are driving from Philadelphia to Farmington Maine this summer. Part of 95 will be necessary, however, where would be a nice breakoff from the crazy 95 pace?
Thanks, island_breeze

An option is I-87/NYS Thruway N to exit 17/Newburgh, then East on I-84. Take I-84 Through Hartford, to I-90, then around Boston on I-495. This will add about 30mi or so to the trip vs I-95, but you avoid I-95 through the worst parts in NY & CT.

don't go all the way up i87 to Newburgh though, that's probably the part which is adding time onto the trip.

take 87 from the George Washington bridge to I 684. Then 684 to 84. 84 to i 90. i90 west to i290 to I495.

as J62 mentions, this route avoids I95 through NY, CT and MA, which is a good thing. it's also shorter.

84-90-495 are all options but frankly they are interstates as well, I'm not really sure what they give you from a variety perspective. I-90, the Ass. Poke is as brutal a road to drive as any and 495 during the rush or during weekend traffic is a nightmare. That said. for some variety (and extra time), break off of I84 at Hartford to route 6 and take the "old route" towards Providence. It is a road with many different speeds (30 to 55), has the country road feeling and re-connects you with I95 in Providence - it's a nice respite.

Keep in mind that you can take Route 26 from Portland to Route 4 in Auburn and then 4 to Farmington. That will be 2 hours of non-interstate driving through Maine.

Another approach would be 91 to St Johnsbury, VT and then east on Route 2. Nice "typical NH/VT" rural landscape and some mountain views.

Thanks for the replies.

Cindy, will route 2 seem endless going across New Hampshire?

I'm sure I'll have follow up questions after going over all of them in more detail.

Summer is fast approaching, island_breeze

the route 202 passes near by your PA starting point. Once in a life time trek it is well worth it to stay on the Route. Cross the Hudson where the Appy trail cuts across to new england.see the back side of nj,ny,ct,ma,nh and me on your way.Watch out for the SPEED TRAP on Rt 4 near the bottom of the hill as you enter Farmington,ME.