[billpritjr]

Hello folks

We will be travelling from Wash DC to Hartford, CT in a few weeks, via car, and would like to know the best route. Less traffic is better.

Also, we may try to drive on a Sunday if this will help keep traffic down.

Thanks

[ctcoldplay11]

I have driven that route many times and I always felt I-95 up through Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey was the best bet, but instead of crossing through NYC over the George Washington bridge, to instead take the Tappan Zee bridge. Once over the bridge, you'd take I-87 and hop on the Hutchinson River Parkway towards CT which transfers to the Merritt Parkway once into Connecticut. You'd meet I-91 in Connecticut somewhere near Meriden and that would take you straight up to Hartford.

Hope this helps!

[ctcoldplay11]

And to clarify, I-87 is the highway that takes you over the Tappan Zee, so you would just follow that until the Hutchinson River Parkway interchange.

[kidyankee764]

I would go over the Tappan Zee to 684N to 84W to Hartford. Much less traffic than 95 and the Merritt.

[ctcoldplay11]

That's a good option as well kidyankee!

[WILWRadio]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I would go over the Tappan Zee to 684N to 84W to Hartford. Much less traffic than 95 and the Merritt.

I've driven both ways several times and this one is the better of these two options. But another option to consider that I've used is I 95 to I 287 to I 684 to I 84. The latter is ideal unless you hit a lot of road construction. Check on the road work for each route before deciding which way to go.

[BigHouse9]

I just did the ride last week and would definitely say to take the Tappan Zee instead of the GW - so much easier.

[Uconn97]

Ditto on the Tappan Zee - we went this way on our last trek to DC. Much easier.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

I would go over the Tappan Zee to 684N to 84W to Hartford. Much less traffic than 95 and the Merritt.

My mistake - you will take 84E to Hartford, not west.

[CrimsonHoo]

I live in DC as well and usually take the route that Kidyankee mentioned. The real determinant is the time of day you intend to drive. The NJ Turnpike turns into a parking lot most weekend afternoons, though it is better during the school year on a non-holiday weekend. For that reason, I typically get on the road from DC early -- 6 or 7 am (with wife and son). If we can't go early, we go late -- after 7 pm. (I'd note that the GW bridge is still backed up even if you get there around midnight.) Also, if you don't have a speedpass for paying tolls, this route is awful, since the toll booths are always backed up.

If the traffic looks to be bad in NJ, my parents have taken a longer route through PA, which involves almost no traffic. Hop on I-83 north of Baltimore, then take I-81 in Harrisburg, and get on I-84 in Scranton. This is at least 60 miles longer, but barring construction the ride is very easy at most times of the day. I also believe, but don't remember for sure, that there are no tolls on this route.