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honestly, i'd try to avoid CT before NJ/NY. every time we head up that way..never fails..the worst part is CT.
Based on what the OP said, I agree with you.
Several people mentioned taking I-84 (Yankee Expressway) through Connecticut and New York all the way into Pennsylvania, and in fact that is probably what I would take. Others suggested taking I-95 (Connecticut Turnpike) through Connecticut, then crossing the Hudson on the Tappan Zee Bridge and finally traveling through New Jersey.
Both options would cut many miles off the trip and for most people I would recommend them. But both can be a traffic disaster at the wrong times. Especially on the I-95.
I-84 seems the better of the two. But both are doable especially if you travel after rush hour (but beware of construction starting at 9 or 10PM).
Still, the OP seems to want to avoid the confusion and the traffic of urban & suburban areas as much as possible so I left out Connecticut entirely on my plan.
Just went to and from Blacksburg Va and Boston Mass. Took 90w to 84w to 91s to Wilbur cross/ merrit/ Hutchinson/ 287 tappan zee 78w to 81s. Traffic moved well. Only issue is truck traffic on I 81 very heavy at times.
I noticed on way back in PA just before I 78 signage advising trucks to take 81n to 84e for New England. Also saw signage before Tappan Zee advising to take 287 to 87 to 84 for New England. Curious what is gained/ lost trying either of those options.
Also noted that, just before exiting 78 for 287 Google maps said going thru NYC on GW bridge was 2 min quicker.
If you're worried about traffic, why not travel at night?
Leave Boston at 6:30 p.m., you'd avoid all traffic in New York, Philly, and DC. You'll then be arriving in to Northern Virginia around 2 a.m. Sleep there and continue your journey in the morning.
Leave Northern Virginia at around 10 a.m. You'll miss morning rush hour in Richmond, and you'll be pulling into Savannah in time for supper.
Easy!
For whatever it's worth, I've always thought that the traffic around DC is usually worse than that near NYC. Atlanta is notoriously bad too.
Moved from Providence, RI area Dec.2015. Made eight trips via auto in last two years. Owned tractor trailer for 10 years, 20 years ago. The POINT? Traffic is so dense now that I do all in my power to drive at NITE. In my 70's and goin great but frustration of traffic from Richmond noirth to NE necessitates the nighttime travel. Yeah you can go via route 26-77-81-87 etc.but time does cost ya. Leaving NE again this week to do it all again and will only make up my mind when I turn the ignition ket,
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