Traveling to Rehoboth Beach DE from Maine and trying to avoid GWB
Nov 29th, 2014, 06:34 PM
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Traveling to Rehoboth Beach DE from Maine and trying to avoid GWB
I am planning a trip from Maine to Rehoboth Beach DE and am looking for insight on how to use parkways to avoid heavy traffic and GWB in NY. Any advice would be appreciated!
Nov 30th, 2014, 04:41 AM
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There is no way to be sure of avoiding heavy traffic near NYC unless you drive through in the middle of the night.
The Tappan Zee Bridge is typically not as crowded as the GWB - esp outside rush hour - but you can have bad traffic anywhere anytime. As you near the city listen to the traffic radio station - 1010 AM - to hear where the worst and best places are.
The route listed above is usually not quite so bad as GWB - but I have seen the Garden State backed up for miles by an accident or construction so there is no guarantee.
Be sure to check all routes online the day before you leave to see if there is any ongoing activity that may cause delays in specific places.
The Tappan Zee Bridge is typically not as crowded as the GWB - esp outside rush hour - but you can have bad traffic anywhere anytime. As you near the city listen to the traffic radio station - 1010 AM - to hear where the worst and best places are.
The route listed above is usually not quite so bad as GWB - but I have seen the Garden State backed up for miles by an accident or construction so there is no guarantee.
Be sure to check all routes online the day before you leave to see if there is any ongoing activity that may cause delays in specific places.
Nov 30th, 2014, 05:03 AM
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Thanks for your help! Someone had suggested staying on Parkways beginning in CT instead of 95 which is how my GPS and Google Maps wants to take me, but I am not certain where these begin in CT? Does anyone know how to force Google Maps to alter the route to take in a particular parkway?
Nov 30th, 2014, 05:27 AM
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Google Maps does not force well.
If you enter "Montvale Service Plaza" as your first stop, you will be directed across the Tappan Zee Bridge and onto the Garden Parkway.
Where are you coming from? You may be offered a choice of three routes. If one of them is via CT 15, it gives you a truck-free route from I 91 to I 287, and the GSP is truck free.
Are you planning to take the Cape May ferry? Stay on the GSP all the way. Otherwise, switch to the New Jersey Turnpike in Woodbridge, N.J.
If you enter "Montvale Service Plaza" as your first stop, you will be directed across the Tappan Zee Bridge and onto the Garden Parkway.
Where are you coming from? You may be offered a choice of three routes. If one of them is via CT 15, it gives you a truck-free route from I 91 to I 287, and the GSP is truck free.
Are you planning to take the Cape May ferry? Stay on the GSP all the way. Otherwise, switch to the New Jersey Turnpike in Woodbridge, N.J.
Nov 30th, 2014, 03:08 PM
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Whenever I travel between Philly and New England, I ALWAYS take the Tappan Zee Bridge -- anything south of that is just asking for trouble. Sometimes my route east of there is the Sawmill River Parkway, sometimes it's I-684. But I invariably end up going over the Hudson on I-287. Just note that, after crossing the bridge and beginning to go uphill, there will ALWAYS be a jam-up because trucks can't accelerate very well when going up this hill.
Permit me to note an alternative after the Tappan Zee that I have found useful.
If the Garden State Parkway is crowded, or if you just want to avoid tolls, then continue west on I-287, and stay on this freeway as it veers south. Continue past the freeway's intersection with I-80 and with I-78 BUT, just after the latter, be ready to get to US Highway 202 west, at Exit 17. You'll hit traffic right after you exit, but it usually clears up after the intersection with US 206. Continue on US 202 towards and past Flemington, crossing into Pennsylvania near Lambertville [Tip to remember: fill up at the Hess past Flemington -- gas prices will go up 35 cents a gallon after this]. Continue on US 202 after entering PA until just past Doylestown, at which point you'll head south on Highway 611. Take this route south to the PA Turnpike, then head west towards Harrisburg. In a few miles you'll be at Exit 333, at which you go south on I-476 towards Chester. This freeway meets up with I-95 just "south" (actually west) of Philly, and soon you'll be in Delaware. Take the I-495 route through Wilmington, and soon you'll merge back on I-95. Watch the signs carefully after you merge, as you want to go south on Delaware Highway 1 at Exit 4. Note that Delaware marks its expressway exits consecutively, NOT by mileage, so being at Exit 5 does NOT mean you are but one mile from Exit 4.
Once you are on DE Highway 1, just stay on that highway as you head south towards the beaches.
Permit me to note an alternative after the Tappan Zee that I have found useful.
If the Garden State Parkway is crowded, or if you just want to avoid tolls, then continue west on I-287, and stay on this freeway as it veers south. Continue past the freeway's intersection with I-80 and with I-78 BUT, just after the latter, be ready to get to US Highway 202 west, at Exit 17. You'll hit traffic right after you exit, but it usually clears up after the intersection with US 206. Continue on US 202 towards and past Flemington, crossing into Pennsylvania near Lambertville [Tip to remember: fill up at the Hess past Flemington -- gas prices will go up 35 cents a gallon after this]. Continue on US 202 after entering PA until just past Doylestown, at which point you'll head south on Highway 611. Take this route south to the PA Turnpike, then head west towards Harrisburg. In a few miles you'll be at Exit 333, at which you go south on I-476 towards Chester. This freeway meets up with I-95 just "south" (actually west) of Philly, and soon you'll be in Delaware. Take the I-495 route through Wilmington, and soon you'll merge back on I-95. Watch the signs carefully after you merge, as you want to go south on Delaware Highway 1 at Exit 4. Note that Delaware marks its expressway exits consecutively, NOT by mileage, so being at Exit 5 does NOT mean you are but one mile from Exit 4.
Once you are on DE Highway 1, just stay on that highway as you head south towards the beaches.
Nov 30th, 2014, 06:23 PM
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Thanks so much everyone!I am traveling from Maine. Once I get into MA, Google Maps wants me to follow 495S to 290W towards Worcester, MA-12N towards Auburn, I-90 W towards Springfield/Albany, I-84 towards Hatrford/NYC, CT-15S towards I-91, I-91 S towards New Haven/NYC, CT15S/W Cross Pkway, State Route 108 S/State Route 8S toward Bridgeport...so, my question is where in this route do I deviate from the GPS to get onto an alternate route/parkway to take me towards Tappanzee? I am thinking that is somewhere in CT?
Dec 1st, 2014, 01:52 AM
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The Wilbur Cross Parkway (CT 15) becomes the Merritt Parkway near Milford. It is still CT 15.
Stay on this route until it crosses into New York State and intersects with I-287.
Turn right. I-287 crosses the Tappan Zee Bridge and connects with the Garden State Parkway.
Stay on this route until it crosses into New York State and intersects with I-287.
Turn right. I-287 crosses the Tappan Zee Bridge and connects with the Garden State Parkway.
Dec 1st, 2014, 01:56 AM
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PaulRabe, that is a very interesting route.
I will have to try it because I thought I had tried them all!
I agree that Flemington is your friend when driving to or from the South, a good place to fill up and grab a bite.
I will have to try it because I thought I had tried them all!
I agree that Flemington is your friend when driving to or from the South, a good place to fill up and grab a bite.
Dec 11th, 2014, 04:37 PM
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<This freeway meets up with I-95 just "south" (actually west) of Philly, and soon you'll be in Delaware. Take the I-495 route through Wilmington, and soon you'll merge back on I-95. Watch the signs carefully after you merge, as you want to go south on Delaware Highway 1 at Exit 4. Note that Delaware marks its expressway exits consecutively, NOT by mileage, so being at Exit 5 does NOT mean you are but one mile from Exit 4.
Once you are on DE Highway 1, just stay on that highway as you head south towards the beaches.>
Very tricky there and sometimes the backup is horrible. I sometimes get off on 13 and them get back on 1. Have fun in Rehoboth. Dogfish head pub is great.
Once you are on DE Highway 1, just stay on that highway as you head south towards the beaches.>
Very tricky there and sometimes the backup is horrible. I sometimes get off on 13 and them get back on 1. Have fun in Rehoboth. Dogfish head pub is great.
Dec 12th, 2014, 01:45 AM
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As you go down 91 south, the parkway (rt 15) joins it in Meriden CT if you want to avoid 95 completely. Consider taking the Garden State all the way to Cape May and then take the ferry to Lewes DE. You will be on the DELMARVA not too far from Rehoboth.
If you don't have a transponder for the tolls, get one, it will save a ton of time. If you load it ahead, make sure it has a high balance to cover them all.
If you don't have a transponder for the tolls, get one, it will save a ton of time. If you load it ahead, make sure it has a high balance to cover them all.
Dec 12th, 2014, 01:58 AM
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If you set your GPS for Danbury, CT it will usually avoid the GW Bridge.
Get to the Mass Turnpike (probably Rte 95 to Rte 495 to MassPike. Taking Rte 290 is iffy - there is always an accident)
Rte 84 thru Hartford. Rte 684 to 287 to Tappan Zee Bridge.
Garden State Parkway - be careful, signage for this is not as good as it should be.
The key to doing this is timing - you want to avoid rush hours in Boston metro, NYC metro areas. If you plan to hit Boston around 10 AM, you will be in NYC area around 2 PM and that accomplishes that.
Ignore mapping program timing for NJ - something always happens in NJ. If it doesn't celebrate by buying cheap gas in NJ - and they pump it for you by law.
EZPAss NY has fast mail order service for toll transponders if there is not a place near you to buy one. You do not need to be a NY resident.
Get to the Mass Turnpike (probably Rte 95 to Rte 495 to MassPike. Taking Rte 290 is iffy - there is always an accident)
Rte 84 thru Hartford. Rte 684 to 287 to Tappan Zee Bridge.
Garden State Parkway - be careful, signage for this is not as good as it should be.
The key to doing this is timing - you want to avoid rush hours in Boston metro, NYC metro areas. If you plan to hit Boston around 10 AM, you will be in NYC area around 2 PM and that accomplishes that.
Ignore mapping program timing for NJ - something always happens in NJ. If it doesn't celebrate by buying cheap gas in NJ - and they pump it for you by law.
EZPAss NY has fast mail order service for toll transponders if there is not a place near you to buy one. You do not need to be a NY resident.
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