Thanksgiving Driving to BOSTON or Niagara from DC
 

Hello,

I will like to drive to any of these places during thanksgiving, but I don't know what is the best place to go because of the traffic. We can leave on Thursday morning so we don't get all the traffic in DC.
Any recommendations? also we would like to stop in NY city if we go to Boston or somewhere before in the middle before getting to Niagara falls,

any recommendations? We have never been in Boston or Niagara so any place would be ok for us. but I don't know about the traffic.

Reston, VA

How many days do you have? Both of those destinations will eat up a full day of driving (8 - 9 hours) each way. Traffic is likely to be worse on the Boston route.

Well I would definitely reco Boston over Niagara Falls. Many activities at the Falls close for the season at the end of October and you're definitely in major snow territory - making the drive potentilaly even longer (I think 10 hours from DC is NOT enough). Boston definitely haas much more to see and do (much indoors in case of bad weather).

Assume you have more than the 4 day Holiday - since driving home on the Sunday after Thanksgiving you will hit all sorts of traffic near any city and Boston to DC could be at least 12 hours.

well, I will have to come back on Sunday. I can leave on Wednesday also..

thanks

Trying to understand what you want to do. I get the part about leaving from Washington on Wednesday or Thursday AM and you have to drive back on Sunday.

And you want to stop in NYC or maybe Niagara Falls?

In my opinion, this is not a reasonable trip considering the timing. The corridor between DC and Boston on Thanksgiving weekend is legendary for horrible traffic jams. Wednesday and Sunday are the worst, but lately even Thanksgiving Day is no joy ride. Under the best of circumstances the trip between DC and Bos is 8-9 hours, but I have never actually made the trip in that little time - something always intereferes with making good time.

Niagara Falls is nowhere near direct on this route, so it would involve another detour - if you want to hit those 3 cities plus Niagara you will spend all weekend in the car.

So if you must, leave very late Wednesday night or very early Thursday morning. Skip either NYC or Boston. I have no solution to driving back on Sunday - it will be horrible no matter what time you leave.

gail, I think the OP was thinking about either Boston OR Niagara Falls as the weekend destination. But I agree with your overall assessment that this is a driving nightmare.

thanks, yes a was thinking on going to boston or niagara, but it looks like both are going to be trouble.
maybe a ski resort in PA,

Is this one of the best places in the DC area to ski or have fun?

http://www.7springs.com/directions.shtml

While snow making is quite good in lots of places, I think Thanksgiving is a little early for snow except in higher mountains or more northern areas.

yes 7springs is close to the DC area. I have been there. No bad if you want to go there on a weekend. Also, for thanksgiving, if you want to avoid the 195 corridor, then Niagara falls is the better option, because there wouldnt be traffic jams on the route. Once in the Niagara falls city, you should be able to enjoy, but the maid of the mist will be closed. You should still be able to enjoy the falls. There are quite a lot of people visiting the falls during winter also . I have been to the canadian side few years back in Feb.

I was thinking then going to 7 springs and then go to Niagara, is there a ski resort near NY city? I went to wisp last year and we liked it, (I don't care if there any snow) any other idea near de dc area for that weekend? no more than 400 miles?

thank you,

NYC is not on the way to Niagara Falls from DC! You might consider a stop in Pittsburg on route to Niagara Falls if you want to break up the trip (it's right on the way). Not sure what there is to see there - maybe some Pennsylvanians can chime in...

As mentioned above, DC to NYC/Boston route will be hellish Thanksgiving weekend.

I'll vote for Buffalo-Niagara. Niagara Falls is different and beautiful during all seasons. The weather in this area is usually not too bad at Thanksgiving, and when it does snow, we're very good at cleaning it up quickly. There are lots of good restaurants in Buffalo. I'm not crazy about Niagara Falls restaurants. It is not a holiday in Canada, so everythings runs like a normal day there. There is lots to do in Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake (a beautiful Canadian town about 20 minutes from NF) and Buffalo. Also, traffic is not nearly as bad here in WNY as you will find in the eastern corridor over the holidays.