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I'll be driving from Allentown, PA to Hartford, CT next Thursday and had planned to take I-78 to Newark Airport where I'd pick up I-95 north. Pick up I-87 north after crossing the river at Ft Lee to the Cross County Parkway then continue north on the Hutchinson River Parkway followed by the Merritt Parkway.
I figured on leaving here so that I'd hit the I-78 / I-95 interchange at 9am. Theoretically, that would put me on the Merritt by about 10am.
Is the traffic at that time of the morning along my proposed route so awful that I should change my route to bypass NYC?
My alternate route would be to take I-287, cross the Tappen-Zee, then pick up the Merritt Parkway.
Going straight through NYC would save a lot of miles but, if the traffic is really bad, I could end up spending more time on the road.
The Cross Brox Expressway, other side of the George Washington Bridge can be a pain in the neck, as can I-95 as they are truck routes. If you are in a passenger vehicle, I would take the Henry Hudson Parkway north, pass through The Bronx, exit at the Cross County Parkway in Yonkers, and stay to the left as the road merges to become the Hutchinson noth. You do pay a toll at the Henry Hudson Bridge, but it's less expensive than the fuel wasted dealing with the Cross Bronx and I-95.
The Tappan Zee should be moving fairly well by that point, too, though there can sometimes be residual delays on both bridges.
__________________
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
I figured on leaving here so that I'd hit the I-78 / I-95 interchange at 9am. Theoretically, that would put me on the Merritt by about 10am.
I think that's ambitious. Probably a little unrealistic if you mean you will have entered CT by 10am.
Quote:
My alternate route would be to take I-287, cross the Tappen-Zee, then pick up the Merritt Parkway.
Going straight through NYC would save a lot of miles but, if the traffic is really bad, I could end up spending more time on the road.
I would take I287 to the Tappan Zee (and then consider taking I684 to I84 to Hartford).
It isn't a whole lot of additional miles and is probably a better bet to arrive on time.
Another problem with the I-78/95 plan is that leaving earlier doesn't help. If anything it makes it worse (my wife takes that opposite route, away from the city, around 7am and it's not pretty early in the morning).
The Cross Brox Expressway, other side of the George Washington Bridge can be a pain in the neck, as can I-95 as they are truck routes. If you are in a passenger vehicle, I would take the Henry Hudson Parkway north, pass through The Bronx, exit at the Cross County Parkway in Yonkers, and stay to the left as the road merges to become the Hutchinson noth.
Good call on the truck routes. Lots of traffic.
Let me say this back to you to make sure I understand.
1. I-78 through the Holland Tunnel.
2. Laight Street to 12th Ave (aka Rt 9A)
3. North on 12th Ave until it becomes the Henry Hudson Pkwy
4. etc
I would avoid the tunnel. You can get the HH Parkway at the George Washington Bridge. At an off hour, the Holland can be easier, if there's a problem on the bridge, but I would not take it at the time you're proposing a delay at the Holland is almost inevitable.
You can get to the Henry Hudson from both levels of the George Washington Bridge, so you would follow the New Jersey Turnpike north. Pay attention to the delays, however, on the traffic report, since if they are significant on the morning you're traveling, I would divert to the Tappan Zee. You can always make your way to the Palisades Parkway in Northern NJ to get to the Tappan Zee, too, if a problem arises after you're on the Turnpike.
If you want to avoid all of the issues, I would suggest heading through the Delaware Water Gap to 84 at Port Jervis, and crossing the Hudson at Newburgh, but it will take a while to get there in PA, since you're not going to be on an Interstate.
__________________
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
Thank you very much for your insightful replies to my questions. I'll put them to use this coming week when we set out on our trek.
You're welcome. Have a safe trip.
__________________
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
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