Driving Philly to Eastern CT; How do you go? (York: how much, deed)

[selhars]

How do you drive from Philly to eastern CT….the Norwalk, Darien, Westport, Greenwich, Bridgeport area?

-- DO you swing east and go north…so you swing west….stay of GSP north, then go east over the Tappan Zee.

I've always just sucked it up and stayed on 95 the whole way, GW bridge and all. And to be honest I've had good luck with that. But I also feel like I'm pressing my luck, and it may not hold out. I've heard horror stories.

I know some people who swing east and take the Veranzano, and swing east through Brooklyn and Queens.
A friend is highly recommending I stay on the GSP, staying west of NYC, go north to 287, then east across the Tappan Zee. I've heard others say they take that way. I just never have before.

But I'm thinking I might want to try that way.

Your advice? Your experiences?

[mrknowitall526]

From the Lehigh Valley, we take 78 to 287 to the Tappan Zee bridge, then either get on 84 or 95 depending on destination.

[selhars]

I''ll be driving from the Philly airport.
So coming up on 295, to the Jersey Turnpike.

I guess one unknown is di I then switch over to the Garden State Parkway, and stay to the west on NYC, and go up to 287 and over the Tappan Zee…and THEN get on 95 up to Norwalk.

OR...do 95 the entire way and take the GW through Harlem and Washington Heights.

[FrankInPhilly]

The shortest way is taking the GW. It can also be the most hair-tearing: even if the GW is clear you can get stuck on the Cross Bronx and other parts of 95 in and close to NYC. I drove to Boston a couple of weeks ago and took this route: no problems, but coming back ... "problematic."
I'd use GW as Plan A, but on my way up on the NJTpk I'd be listening to AM 880 (WCBS) for traffic reports (or, if you have someone with you, have them monitor WAZE or similar). Then near Exit 13 (I think that's the one for GSP) make the decision about taking the Parkway.
As you monitor traffic, keep in mind that you should be concerned with the status of both NYC (GW, Cross-Bronx, ...) and the Tappan Zee.
Yeah, it's very tactical :-) Good luck.

[KEVIN_224]

The Garden State Parkway/US Route 9 Exit in Woodbridge is 11. I think Exit 13 in Linden/Elizabeth is for I-278.

Also, if you take the alternate route with The New York Thruway (I-87/I-287) and the Tappan Zee Bridge, be careful. You might get distracted with portions of the new bridge going up to your left as you drive south/east. There is a poorly marked lane shift once on the Westchester County side, close to where the former toll plaza was. After that, it's business as usual.

[selhars]

Kevin, thanks.
Are you saying that't the way you would go?

We've never gone that way, always just sucked up staying on 95 and the GW.

How much time to you think the GSP to 287 will take. Al things being equal is it 10 mins longer, 20 minutes?

Some times it's worth 15 mins longer if it's a more pleasant or at least less "stressful" drive.

Our destination is Norwalk….and since we've never gone that way, we just don't know if it is in deed "worth it" go go around west side go turn east across the Tappan Zee. Or just stay on 95.

[KEVIN_224]

Sometimes, on bus trips back from the Port Authority towards New Haven then northward, the bus might take I-95/GW Bridge, exit on I-87 North, then to I-287 East towards I-95 North, putting you in Port Chester, NY...less than one mile from the Connecticut state line. Not exactly a smooth alternate. I've never been on a Greyhound or Peter Pan with the Tappan Zee.

If your destination is Norwalk, why does this thread say EASTERN Connecticut? That's in Fairfield County, between Stamford and Bridgeport. NORWICH is in eastern CT...well southeastern Connecticut, really (via I-95 to I-395).

[selhars]

You're right, sorry. I just have never thought of it that way. But of course you're correct.
I guess I never think of just how east, CT really is. I just think east coast, eastern CT.

I just wanted to convey that I wasn't going up to Torrington and that area.
But yes Norwalk is our destination…

I suppose I was looking for something definitive…like "yes, taking the GSP is definitely worth it." A friend goes that way and recommended it.
But so far it on this thread seems it's more like" comme ci comme ça. which leaves me where I was before….torn.

But that's like and traffic in that area I guess.

[kidphilly]

It all depends on the time


if off hours then 95/NJT to the GWB then to CT


If off hours would look at 95 to NJT to GSP to Tappenzee (or even Newburgh if nasty) then route through NY into CT to your destination

[Clark Park]

Avoid NYC at all costs.