Driving to NC from NH (Southern Pines, Aberdeen: garden, safe, trailer) - City-Data Forum

FrancisB · 04-02-2008, 10:40 AM

I will be driving my son down to his summer job in Aberdeen, NC from New Hampshire at the end of next month.

Do any of you folks who make this drive regularly one way or another know a way to get from New Hampshire to the Aberdeen/Southern Pines area that would NOT take me through New York City (i.e., straight 95)? Of course, I would rather not spend 20 hours in the car, but if there's a trick, I'd love to hear it.

I appreciate any tips. Thank you.

frogandtoad · 04-02-2008, 12:00 PM

I drive this every summer and I do go through on 95--it's the fastest way. You can go to mapquest and ask for an "alternate route" around NYC, but it's going to be longer--there's no way around that. I just make sure that I time it so I hit NYC before or after rush hour (last year I stayed outside NY and left at 4am to get through NY before rush hour) and it was well worth it--I cruised through and was there before I knew it (OK, that might an exaggeration!)

Waterboy526 · 04-02-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogandtoad

I drive this every summer and I do go through on 95--it's the fastest way. You can go to mapquest and ask for an "alternate route" around NYC, but it's going to be longer--there's no way around that. I just make sure that I time it so I hit NYC before or after rush hour (last year I stayed outside NY and left at 4am to get through NY before rush hour) and it was well worth it--I cruised through and was there before I knew it (OK, that might an exaggeration!)

Of course if you leave really early, then you'll probably hit DC rush hour right at it's worst (which is pretty much half the day).

just_sayin' · 04-02-2008, 06:06 PM

Just curious...where about in NH are you coming from?

RuralCoastalGuy · 04-03-2008, 04:35 PM

I would first suggest taking I-95 and further suggest that you make the drive at night if you and your son are comfortable with night driving. My Wife and I made the trip down from Boston a number of times, always at night, and each time it was uneventful.
I also recommend that you get a AAA triptip showing the most direct route and the alternate route, but if you are not an AAA member you can get something similar online at Mapquest.com.
Have a safe trip

Waterboy526 · 04-04-2008, 05:30 AM

Google maps also has a great function where you can click and drag routes to see the mileage and which ones might save more time. I like google maps much better than mapquest.

beckycollage · 04-04-2008, 09:40 AM

I made the trip last june with my 75 yo mom. To avoid the major headaches I picked up 84 in CTwent all the way across to 81 and stayed on until I hit Staunton/Waynesboro where I took 64, the 295 bypass around Richmond and then onto 95 into NC - sure saved alot of nitro popping for my cardiac mother lol lol - the tractor trailer trucks were giving her fits. It added about 5 hours max to the trip but it was well worth it. I figured no matter what time I left Maine I'd hit some kind of city stop and go - so I would have lost the time anyway in traffic. Not a bad trip - have fun

FrancisB · 04-04-2008, 11:21 AM

Nashua/Hudson. We will probably plan on leaving NH late, maybe 11pm or so, packing snacks and drinks. It's true 95 is really the most efficient route. It's tough in that there's always traffic there....and DC driving is just scary. And then Virginia lasts for-e-ver. Complain much?

My son, though he's 19, will go stir crazy if I add too much time to the trip. He's still not too old for "are we there yet"?

Jonny94 · 04-07-2008, 04:26 PM

My route has always been Mass Pike to 84 to 684 to White Plains, pick up 87 and go over the Tappanzee Bridge, then south on the Garden State Parkway and exit onto the NJ Turnpike. At that point you're back on 95 and I stay on 95 the rest of the way. This route is not quite as fast as 95 through NYC, but I can't stand 95 in SW Connecticut.