[stevegrantsr]

Hi,

What would be the best route to take from Fairfield To Danbury especially during winter/snow time?

I know Route 58 takes directly into Danbury but worried how are roads during and after snow time? I have 2003 Camry? Should I get snow tires or all seasons tires would work.

Please advise.

Thanks
Steve

[Stylo]

I commuted 58 for over 3 years. It's definitely a lovely drive, although sometimes frustrating when you get a slow vehicle in front of you and can't pass for miles - if at all. Otherwise it's plenty scenic and little traffic.

Winter is tricky. It's a relatively well kept road compared to residential streets, but nothing like a real highway or busy state route. There's a few hairy turns that you need to pay attention to in inclement weather. Especially in north Redding. I've had the back end come out from me a few times on that road in snow. I've done a lot of car control homework - track days, autocross, driver's education. Knowing how to keep control in those situations is important. The average driver could get in trouble.

I would recommend snow tires to be safe on that route, personally. I didn't feel fully safe with all-seasons, even in my previous Pathfinder with 4WD engaged. It's worth the small investment for your safety. Also, be cautious and on the lookout for other drivers.

[stevegrantsr]

Thanks Stylo.

Do you think is 25 better alternative route compared to 58? I never been on 25.

[Stylo]

For traffic, no way. It's far more congested and moves slower, with a bunch of traffic lights. 58 barely has any traffic or traffic lights.

During snow storms, 25 might be safer as it's more widely traveled than 58 and probably gets plowed/salted more often.

[stevegrantsr]

Yes, I am concerned about snow/winter weather commute wise. Either it would be 25 or 7 as compared to 58.

[Stylo]

You wouldn't be able to fully take 7. You'd wind up backtracking on the Merritt to get to it which would be counter productive and the traffic is terrible during the winter. 25 might make sense during the winter. You'll have to experiment. The good news is it's a totally doable commute.

[7express]

58 straight up.

If you're worried about snow: 25 up.

[7express]

Originally Posted by stevegrantsr

Thanks Stylo.

Do you think is 25 better alternative route compared to 58? I never been on 25.

No. 25 is littered with traffic lights and if you get stuck behind a slow-moving truck, you literally have no-where to go. That's why I take 111 to 34. Even though 34 probably has more trucks then 25 does just because of the vital connection it has to from Putnam & Dutchess county to Central & southeastern Connecticut, it has no lights, so even if you go get stuck behind a truck, at least you won't have to start & stop and the truck can keep up a consistent speed.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by 7express

No. 25 is littered with traffic lights and if you get stuck behind a slow-moving truck, you literally have no-where to go. That's why I take 111 to 34. Even though 34 probably has more trucks then 25 does just because of the vital connection it has to from Putnam & Dutchess county to Central & southeastern Connecticut, it has no lights, so even if you go get stuck behind a truck, at least you won't have to start & stop and the truck can keep up a consistent speed.

This route would be way out of the way for the OP. I am not sure there would be any time savings, if not it would be a lot longer. Jay

[andthentherewere3]

Route 25 to Danbury is not a pleasant commute, I did that one summer. Traffic is very, very slow with crawling cars and traffic lights. And during snow people like yourself take 25, making the traffic slower. I'm not sure how it compares to 58, but if you must do 25 in the snow I'd suggest trying 25 to Mile Hill rd., then to 84, although that is not ideal, either. No matter which way you go through Monroe and Newtown, it's a very long commute.