RI Green Airport and Rt 295 question
 

I'm going to Green airport in Rhode Island and I know that you can take Rt 295 (exit 4 I think off Rt 95 in MA) to get around Providence. Where does Rt 295 end on the other side of Providence -- before or after the airport (which is exit 13)?

I've never used Rt 295 before but if it gets me around Providence traffic, I'd consider a little out of the way. Is it a BIG detour?

Thanks.

I was just down there to pick someone up a couple of weeks ago. The Rt 295 option is more than what I'd call a little out of the way, so I'd only recommend using it if the timing is bad for going straight through Providence. It rejoins I-95 north of the exit for Green, by a couple of miles as I recall.

It is not a big detour. Add a few miles, but speed limit is higher (65 vs 50), and you avoid the Providence traffic.

I assume you're coming from down from MA. What you do is take Exit 3 of I-295, which is Route 37 East. 37 (a freeway) joins I-95 at Exit 14. Go south on I-95 and take the very next exit. Super easy, and there are signs along the way for that. [If you don't get off Exit 3, then I-295 joins I-95 at Exit 11, south of the TF Green; but there's no ramp to get onto I-95N directly from I-295 South.]

Same thing reverse. Exit 14 off I-95, Route 37 West, and then I-295 North.

So it's Exit 4 off 95South (from MA) to Rt 37? I thought it said Rt 295 on the sign.


I didn't realize I had to take Rt 37 back north from Green to MA. No wonder I never seemed to see signs for Rt 295 when I was traveling north.

You take Exit 4 of I-95 while still in MA, which is I-295 South. Make sure you go to the right lane early, as that exit ramp is often backed up a little. Many trucks also take I-295 to bypass Providence.

Then you take I-295 South into RI, and then take Exit 3 off I-295 which is Rte 37.

Unless you are doing this trip at peak traffic time for Providence, it's easier and shorter to stay on 95 form Mass. Route 295 adds about 6 extra miles. What time is your flight?

True, I-295 is longer, probably about 10 miles, but it's very easy to drive. Light traffic for most of the way, never backed-up. And as I said, speed limit is 65.

I-95 can be somewhat slow around Pawtucket and Providence, and often backed-up for several miles in Cranston in the afternoon.

I think the extra miles and time on I-295 is worth the investment for most of the day.

I'm picking up on Sunday at 6 pm but I just heard that there is a Patriots game at 8:30 on Sunday so I may be affected going down to the airport.

Providence is very quiet on Sunday at 6 PM. Stay on 95

I agree. Very quiet on Sunday afternoon around Providence.

Traffic to the ballgame may affect I-95 further up in MA. But I don't know how bad it may be, or whether it's an issue at all.