[RockStam]

Does anybody here make the commute and have any advice to offer? Anything would help, especially what specific times in the morning are worst to cross that Tappan Zee Bridge, and if there are any ways to avoid the back-up associated around White Plains. I just graduated from college, and can't afford to move yet, so need to tough it out for a few months, so any advice will help. Thank you!

[MikefromCT]

Originally Posted by RockStam

Does anybody here make the commute and have any advice to offer? Anything would help, especially what specific times in the morning are worst to cross that Tappan Zee Bridge, and if there are any ways to avoid the back-up associated around White Plains. I just graduated from college, and can't afford to move yet, so need to tough it out for a few months, so any advice will help. Thank you!

Well,. . . . best thing I can recommend is taking the Merritt Parkway once you're in CT. It's the same hwy as the Hutch. River Pkwy when you're in NY. Traffic will be busy in the morning anytime from 6-10ish but since most folks commuting in the a.m. from the Stamford area are going INTO the city, you shouldn't have too much trouble. Same thingn if you're on the TZB. You'll probably have more luck with this than with I-95, which can be tricky and is notorious for accidents and rollovers around the Bridgeport area (usually exit 27). You may want to consider that.

Are there any light rail options available? Stamford has a huge train station, I would think that there would be something available for you. Or maybe not. But check it out.

[RockStam]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

Well,. . . . best thing I can recommend is taking the Merritt Parkway once you're in CT. It's the same hwy as the Hutch. River Pkwy when you're in NY. Traffic will be busy in the morning anytime from 6-10ish but since most folks commuting in the a.m. from the Stamford area are going INTO the city, you shouldn't have too much trouble. Same thingn if you're on the TZB. You'll probably have more luck with this than with I-95, which can be tricky and is notorious for accidents and rollovers around the Bridgeport area (usually exit 27). You may want to consider that.

Are there any light rail options available? Stamford has a huge train station, I would think that there would be something available for you. Or maybe not. But check it out.

Thank you, Mike, for the tips. To avoid I-95 when I can, and to use the Merritt when possible will definitely something I was not aware of. That helps out, thank you.

I have looked into rail options, but none are adequate enough for my job, as I will have to travel a bit once in Stamford.

Once again, thanks for the advice!

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

Well,. . . . best thing I can recommend is taking the Merritt Parkway once you're in CT. It's the same hwy as the Hutch. River Pkwy when you're in NY. Traffic will be busy in the morning anytime from 6-10ish but since most folks commuting in the a.m. from the Stamford area are going INTO the city, you shouldn't have too much trouble. Same thingn if you're on the TZB. You'll probably have more luck with this than with I-95, which can be tricky and is notorious for accidents and rollovers around the Bridgeport area (usually exit 27). You may want to consider that.

Are there any light rail options available? Stamford has a huge train station, I would think that there would be something available for you. Or maybe not. But check it out.

Actually, there's relatively no traffic northbound in the a.m. on the Merritt. The only hassle would be if there's a snowstorm.

Besides the main Stamford station, there are stations in Springdale and Glenbrook. Also, the Old Greenwich station isn't far from a certain portion of Stamford.

[RockStam]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Actually, there's relatively no traffic northbound in the a.m. on the Merritt. The only hassle would be if there's a snowstorm.

Besides the main Stamford station, there are stations in Springdale and Glenbrook. Also, the Old Greenwich station isn't far from a certain portion of Stamford.

So would you suggest hopping on to the Hutch/Merritt (instead of continuing onto I-95) from 287 to get to Stamford?

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by RockStam

So would you suggest hopping on to the Hutch/Merritt (instead of continuing onto I-95) from 287 to get to Stamford?

I can't vouch for what the Hutch would be like. I'd assume it would be good, but you know the old saying about when you assume. It's best to ask on the NY forum for a definitive answer.

The Merritt is a better choice than 95 when traveling northbound in the a.m. in Connecticut.

[MikefromCT]

The only thing to keep in mind with the Merritt Pkwy/Hutch River Pkwy is there are only two lanes and they're winding roads. I mean it's convenient since no commercial trucks are allowed on here, and it's definitely the more scenic of the two routes, but if there's an accident it can be a real hastle. These are rare, though. Just exercise good judgement as you would on any main thoroughfare and you should be fine. Driving on that will be a treat in the fall when the foliage begins. You will see what I mean once you start commuting on it.

[RockStam]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

I can't vouch for what the Hutch would be like. I'd assume it would be good, but you know the old saying about when you assume. It's best to ask on the NY forum for a definitive answer.

The Merritt is a better choice than 95 when traveling northbound in the a.m. in Connecticut.

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

The only thing to keep in mind with the Merritt Pkwy/Hutch River Pkwy is there are only two lanes and they're winding roads. I mean it's convenient since no commercial trucks are allowed on here, and it's definitely the more scenic of the two routes, but if there's an accident it can be a real hastle. These are rare, though. Just exercise good judgement as you would on any main thoroughfare and you should be fine. Driving on that will be a treat in the fall when the foliage begins. You will see what I mean once you start commuting on it.

Thank you both again, I really appreciate it. I will experiment with my commute with the various tips you've given to see which way best suites me. Once again, thanks for the help!

[grassroots]

I commute from Rockland to Stamford every day. Forget about the Merritt. By the time you reach the exit for the Merritt, you are already past the worst of the traffic. You really just have to worry about the TZ Bridge and White Plains traffic mostly.

Realistically, if you can make it to the bridge by 7:00, you'll be in good shape the whole way to Stamford.

The I95 traffic can look bad when you merge on to it from 287, but it moves. Taking the Merritt to downtown Stamford brings you too far out of the way IMO.

[RockStam]

Originally Posted by grassroots

I commute from Rockland to Stamford every day. Forget about the Merritt. By the time you reach the exit for the Merritt, you are already past the worst of the traffic. You really just have to worry about the TZ Bridge and White Plains traffic mostly.

Realistically, if you can make it to the bridge by 7:00, you'll be in good shape the whole way to Stamford.

The I95 traffic can look bad when you merge on to it from 287, but it moves. Taking the Merritt to downtown Stamford brings you too far out of the way IMO.

Thanks for the advice. Just out of curiousity, if I may ask, what time do you usually get to the TZB and then Stamford, just so I can have for a frame of reference?