[7express]

I already posted this in the MA forum, so if Jay or Stylo thinks its overkill, they can lock this, but I'm posting it here as well in case any of our CT residents go skiing/have visited/have family up in the Berkshire's/Berkshire region (Pittsfield/great Barrington, etc) in Western MA and can help me out here as well.

Coming up from Danbury, CT to North Adams, MA (going to Mass College of Liberal Arts MCLA). I figure I can get from Danbury to the CT/MA state line in about 60 to 75 minutes, but how is 7 through Pittsfield and Great Barrington?? Lots of traffic lights, or none at all like most of the way in CT between New Milford and Canaan?? Also, how long do you think it would take to get from the border to North Adams (I'm taking 7 up to Williamstown then taking 2 East)?? Google maps says it takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes, but I'll be leaving Danbury about 4:00 PM, wondering if I'll get any traffic in Great Barrington, Pittsfield or even in Williamstown??

Also, I'm free for directions if anyone has a faster way from Danbury up there. I've only been on 7 as far north as Canaan, so I'm going into unchartered territory tonight, lol.

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by 7express

Also, I'm free for directions if anyone has a faster way from Danbury up there. I've only been on 7 as far north as Canaan, so I'm going into unchartered territory tonight, lol.

How about 84 west into NY to the Taconic State Pkwy, then 90 East when the parkway ends? A small toll at the end and definitely longer-mileagewise, but no traffic lights. That would be my thought on a faster way.......

[7express]

Originally Posted by 7 Wishes

How about 84 west into NY to the Taconic State Pkwy, then 90 East when the parkway ends? A small toll at the end and definitely longer-mileagewise, but no traffic lights. That would be my thought on a faster way.......

I thought about that, but there's no direct access from the Mass Pike to route 7 or 8, so the time I saved on the Taconic, would be negated by the time driving from Danbury to the parkway (I'm coming from the Midtown WCSU campus, it takes me a lot less time to pick up 84 East then 84 West) and then getting off the Mass Pike making my way to route 7/8. I would think route 22 would be the better alternative through New York (that's what google maps said as well).

[kidyankee764]

I would probably go 84 to 8.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Google says:.............




Suggested routes

1. 105 mi, 2 hours 41 mins
   US-7 N
2. 121 mi, 2 hours 40 mins
   CT-8 N
3. 133 mi, 2 hours 42 mins
   Taconic State Parkway

The same time for all routes. LOL.

[LRPct]

Id take Taconic to rt 44 exit then 44 to 22. Or a different way to 22. From Sheffield mass on 7 slows down a bunch. GB is a neat lil (very small) NE town with lots of lights and 25mph. After that is Lee, equally small and slow. Pittsfield is just that. The pits, and has much worse traffic for a longer period of time/miles. Avoid 7 north of ct/ma line. Cops in Sheffield, GB, and Lee are hardcore about speed limits and everything else. Especially if you have Ct or NY plates. Youll gain extra attention from them and theyll make any traffic stop last an enternity.

[LRPct]

And actually 8 mightbe even better for you. A lil bit of a slow down when the divided portion enfs in Winsted, but not many small/slow towns to go through on the rural part north of that compared to 7.

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Google says:.............




Suggested routes

1. 105 mi, 2 hours 41 mins
   US-7 N
2. 121 mi, 2 hours 40 mins
   CT-8 N
3. 133 mi, 2 hours 42 mins
   Taconic State Parkway

The same time for all routes. LOL.

Wow, interesting.....

BTW, forgot about 84 to 8, I tend to think mostly about highways with exits, but it's a good option as it stays a "highway with exits" for awhile.....

[7express]

Thanks guys! Guess I'll be avoiding route 7 then. I'll probably go 8 straight up then. if I take 44 I'll have to get off to 7/8 anyways and that's just driving further out of the way.

[7express]

Originally Posted by LRPct

Id take Taconic to rt 44 exit then 44 to 22. Or a different way to 22. From Sheffield mass on 7 slows down a bunch. GB is a neat lil (very small) NE town with lots of lights and 25mph. After that is Lee, equally small and slow. Pittsfield is just that. The pits, and has much worse traffic for a longer period of time/miles. Avoid 7 north of ct/ma line. Cops in Sheffield, GB, and Lee are hardcore about speed limits and everything else. Especially if you have Ct or NY plates. Youll gain extra attention from them and theyll make any traffic stop last an enternity.

Couldn't be any worse then the cop I had in Keene, NH last year. Turned off the main road (route 9) wich had a 40 or 45 mph speed limit, onto I think it was route 10 a busy road, but not as big as 9 and only had a 30 mph speed limit. Soon as I turned onto the road flashing lights behind me going about 33-35 mph. Luckily the cop saved face and just let me off with a warning though.