Suggestions on routes to Billerica, MA from Montgomery, AL (Boston: housing, rental)

[alabamafam]

All,
Thanks much for the many replies I received from you all since Nov 2007 when I first used this site to gather info about homes near Hanscom AFB. My wife and I visted the area 2 weeks ago and found a rental home in Billerica, MA that will accomodate us just fine. Again, thanks much for all your advice. By the way, it was our first time in the Boston area and while the weather was rainy and a bit chilly for Alabama standards (the high was something like 57 or 60 degrees) we had a great time and we're looking forward to the next 2 to 4 years. I've read post of people talking about how "cold" people from the area could be but we really didn't experience much of that. However, I did have to ask a few folks to repeat what they said

Ok, now that our housing situation is secure, I need help on figuring out the best route to take from Montgomery, AL to Billerica (actually, it's more like which route to take from the Northern VA/Washington DC area, our plan is to drive there from Montgomery and stay with family on our way to MA) Mapquest does a great job of laying out a route, but there may be folks on the site how have actually driven it and may have some good pointers. I heard I should certainly have toll money ready as I will probably encounter a number of them. While my desire is to press forward and get there, I'll be driving my wife and 2-yr old twins and I have a feeling we'll be stopping pretty regularly!

[brightdoglover]

I'd suggest the route I take from Philadelphia- Jersey Turnpike to Garden State Parkway to Tappan Zee Bridge, then up 84 in CT, then the Mass Pike to 495 north to Rt. 3 to Billerica.

Do not think that "Old Route 1" is a scenic route.

I-5 straight north is probably what Mapquest would suggest. However, you go right through New York City, and end up too close to Boston on a very confusing bottleneck (where you're going north and south at the same time, according to road signs). Swinging west of New York City, the Tappan Zee Bridge, takes you about 20 miles west of the city, and going up through I-84 gets you to the Pike about 50 miles west of I-495, which is where you want to be.

Around 84, there's a bit of travel on, I think, 684 or something. A map could tell you, but the main point is not to take 95, but to cross on the Tappan Zee (a magnificent sight, by the way). You will not encounter any real traffic anywhere on this route.

From DC to south Jersey, dunno. I'm sure someone else can pitch in.
Congratulations on nailing down the tough part of your move! It should all go well.

[brightdoglover]

P.S. Where I said "I-5," I meant "I-95."

[jayrandom]

From DC to South Jersey the only real bet is 95. DC is a total mess, though, so go at an odd hour if you can help it. Avoid NYC as best you can, the idea to take the Tappan Zee is a good one, although if you go through anywhere near rush hour that could give you problems, too. Depending on where in Virginia you start out and how much you hate traffic vs. hate traveling extra distance 81 to 84 is an option. It's very pretty and through the mountains, but not very near DC.