[Jericho79]

Hey everyone. I currently live near the Jersey Shore. I've driven through Connecticut twice in order to Boston or Foxborough. Both times I traveled to Massachusetts via the Garden State Parkway, the New York Thruway, the Tappan Zee Bridge, I-287, and I-95.

On my first trip it took me over 5 hours to reach the Boston area, and this past weekend it took me over 7 hours. Both times there was a lot of road work being done on the Connecticut Turnpike, which caused traffic to backed up for miles and miles. Plus, on the way back from Massachusetts, there were at least two accidents along the Turnpike.

I don't think I'd want to use the Connecticut Turnpike on my next trip to Massachusetts.

Are there any alternative routes going though Connecticut to get to the Boston area?

Would taking the Merritt Parkway and the Massachusetts Turnpike be a better option?

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

87>84>90>495.

Less direct, but should be much quicker, most of the time.

The Merritt Parkway is not an alternative if traveling during peak rush.

[mr2448]

taking I-86 to the Masspike is an option to Boston, but depending on the time of day Hartford and I-90 could be just as troubling. To get to Foxboro you could go the same way and use I-495 South to Route 1 and Foxboro, but that is an around about trip.

[awt1972]

You can get held up either way, I have been driving both routes from CT, 95 all the way or Parkway/91/84/Masspike.

I95 all the way is slightly more miles and time, but cheaper on fuel (at least for me, less hilly I guess!) I usually take I295 to circumnavigate Providence too as there are rarely any delays along that stretch of freeway.
Taking the other route, there is always a delay south of Hartford getting off of I91 onto I84E, its a pain. You can expect a delay there anytime. Also sometimes there is a big jam getting thru the tolls onto the Pike at the end of 84, although that is usually on holiday weekends and Sunday evenings, other times its not usually a problem.
On the return journey the worst hold up is usually just the unpredictability of the MassPike, and it can be slow getting off the Pike thru the tolls onto I84.

Back to your question - its a slightly better option but there's not much in it. I usually mix it up just for a change of scenery! Also I think I95 is worse this time of year with beach traffic, esp as its only 2 lanes some of the way thru CT/RI.

[Slipperman]

I287>I684>I84 straight thru CT on the way to the Mass pike.

[desertdunes]

I was born and raised in NJ and currently live in CT. I like:
Garden State Parkway to 287 (over Tapanzee) to 684 to 84
I hope you find a route that works well for you - there sure is a lot of traffic for such a trip - I make a similar trip annually and the traffic is always nuts even when leaving quite early on a weekend. 95, in my opinion, is the worst route, although my sister seems to like that way better.

[kidyankee764]

Definitely 287>684>84. Avoid 95 and Merritt Parkway.

[jp03]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Definitely 287>684>84. Avoid 95 and Merritt Parkway.

yes..go over the Tappan Zee

[Stylo]

Agree with 287>684>84.

[Jericho79]

Well, my next trip to Boston will be this October. I'll have to drive from the Jersey Shore to Braintree on a Saturday, and get there by mid-afternoon.

Would 287>684>84 still be the best idea?

Is traffic on Connecticut freeways as bad in the autumn as it is during the summer?