As a long time driving traveler from Boston to points South (Philadelphia and beyond), I face the decision of whether to go I-84 to Tappen Zee to Garden State Parkway then South or to go I-95 and brave the Cross Bronx Expressway to the George Washington Bridge and New Jersey Turnpike. All things being equal (that is NO TRAFFIC or delays) Cross Bronx is fastest IMHO)
Any advice on how to choose or predict which route will be the fastest on the day I go?

I-84. This is the only road to take unless there is something special in your plans that would cause a sidetrack off of 95. I've done both several times and I-84 always worrks out better -- less traffic, less construction, better flow of traffic...

-Craig

Hi John:
Keep the Cross Bronx and the GWB. I'd vote for I84 and the Tappan Zee anytime. Traffic on the Cross Bronx and GWB are horrendous day and night!! If it is not an accident then it's construction. But why not take I84 to I87 to the Garden State? You should not have to go over any other bridge but the Newburgh Beacon. Let me know if you need more options...

I live in the DC area and have driven this route to Boston at least 40 times. The fastest route (going south) is 95 to the GW bridge to the NJ Turnpike. Even with traffic I always make better time. My only advice is to avoid driving on the first or last day of a holiday weekend (ie. the sunday after Thanksgiving) since traffic is horrendous. I have sat in 20 mile backups to the Delaware bridge, and I have heard even worse tales. My record time from Northern VA to Downtown Boston is 7 hours and 20 minutes. My worst time was 21 hours and 15 minutes during a Thanksgiving snowstorm.
I have recently given up driving to Boston, and now only fly on the shuttle and rent a car - my sanity was at risk.

Thanks for the advice. Let me ask it a different way. Is there a radio station that gives travel delays that I could tune to in time to make the decision whether to go TZB or GWB? Going south the decision is made in Hartford, Going north prior to the intersection of Garden State and NJTP.

John-
There is a website that gives up to hte minute traffic reports for most major cities in the US. It's www.smarttraveller.com
I use it daily to see what my commute home is going to be like!

John, I've been driving that route for the better part of 20 years. My observations are that traffic patterns have changed fairly dramatically and for the worse in the past decade. The Cross Bronx and GWB choke points have been augmented by long potential delays in Fairfield County; The Merritt Parkway, I-287 and the Tappan Zee that once served as a good bypass are now sources of additional traffic jams. And, if you take I-287 all the way around New York, you add an additional 50 miles to your trip versus the "direct" route through the Bronx.

Unless you live north or west of Boston, the Mass Pike and I-84 offer a still longer route, plus regular, ten-mile-long waits at Sturbridge. It makes US Air sound better all the time.

Assuming you opt for I-95 with the possibility of switching over to the Merritt or I-287, you can pull in 1010 (WINS) and 880 (WCBS)starting around New London. WINS does traffic on the "0's"; WCBS does traffic on the "3's." Between the two of them, they cover the northern approaches to the city every half hour with some degree of thoroughness.

If I remember correctly, the station I listen to for traffic in the NY area is 1010 WINS on the am dial. The reception is good all the way from central CT to Southern NJ. Traffic and weather on the 10's (every ten minutes at 10,20,30 etc past the hour).

I84 is definitely the preferable route. Avoid the Cross Bronx Expressway like the plague!
As for radio stations, I hate to be a spoilsport, but don't rely on either WINS or WCBS for the definitive traffic situation. This advice comes from someone who's be stuck in supposedly "no traffic problem" areas many times, as reported by these stations.

Hi John:
Me again!! CBS radio 880 AM gives traffic in the 8's 1010 WINS on the 1's. You start picking them in CT. Though by the time they give you your route you are already in it, I don't think you need to take 2-87 all the way around . I84 connects to NYS Thruway (I-87) at exit 7 the exit for Stewart Airport. When I go to Boston I take I84 to I90. It may not be the shortest but it sure is the fastest. Good Luck whatever you decide

Me again. Thanks for the replys. I am developing a strategy. As I said all things being equal, I prefer the Cross Bronx and GWB (you can save 30 min). I also like the "atmosphere" of derelict autos and hubcaps.
So I could travel down 95 in Conn and listen to the radio beginning in Bridgeport and jump off to I-287 and TZB if bad.
What about coming back North? Can I listen to the same radio stations before I get to the intersection of NJTpk and Garden State? Or is there a way to cross the GWB and then head North on Henry Hudson pky or Major Deegen Expressway and bypass the Cross Bronx? Has anyone done this?

John, you can get WINS and WCBS starting about exit 8 on the New Jersey Turnpike (and Howard has a point that their reports are far from perfect).

Once across the GW Bridge, I occasionally take the Major Deegan (I-87) as far as the Cross County Parkway in White Plains, which ties into the Hutch at Scarsdale, which then gives you the option of either continuing onto the Merritt Parkway or crossing back to I-95 via the last few miles of I-287.

John;
After the GWB exits, The Major Deegan is OK That is route I-87 by the way, The Henry Hudson turns into the Saw Mill River Parway which turns off at I-87, Taconic State Parkway (another way to I84) or up to the Merrittt in CT. Another option for you is I95 to the Palisades Parkway before you cross the GWB. You can take that to I87 in Harriman, very little traffic and nice scenery. Confused Yet????