[MRVphotog]

Instead of going through Troy and the Rt 7 commercial sprawl which is slow driving with many traffic lights stay on I87(Northway), get off between Glens Falls and Lake George exits and follow the directions for the Rt149/Fort Ann/Rt 4 to 22A to Rt 7 route previously mentioned.

Getting off the Northway and going over the new Champlain Bridge is an option but the access off the Northway via the Ticondaroga exit is some extra miles.

People tolerate going thru Troy only if they are going to southern Vermont.

[Chadd1014]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

Instead of going through Troy and the Rt 7 commercial sprawl which is slow driving with many traffic lights stay on I87(Northway), get off between Glens Falls and Lake George exits and follow the directions for the Rt149/Fort Ann/Rt 4 to 22A to Rt 7 route previously mentioned.

Getting off the Northway and going over the new Champlain Bridge is an option but the access off the Northway via the Ticondaroga exit is some extra miles.

People tolerate going thru Troy only if they are going to southern Vermont.

I always stay on RT 87 N the North-way and take the Essex Ferry across. I don't like all those 22A type roads. As long as the ferry is running, I do the same going South. It's worth a few dollars to ride the boat to me.

I used Ted Bear's directions to ride a motorcycle back from North Carolina a couple of years back just to stay off of 95..worked out great 1000 miles in less than 24 hours.

Watch for little dead deer around NJ, all over the place...scary on two wheels.

[vermonter16]

I live in the DC area and I would normally go 95 to the NJ Turnpike to the Garden State Pkwy to the NY Thruway (87) up to Rt. 149 over to 4 and then 22A. I definitely would not go 7. 81 is ok and I know a lot of my family in Vermont like that route - but it adds time and mileage. You don't have tolls but I think it is around 60 miles or more out of the way. What time of day are you driving? We generally drive at night and we've made three trips (getting ready for a 4th next week) in the last few months and not had any issues with traffic, etc.

[Ellwood]

Originally Posted by vermonter16

I live in the DC area and I would normally go 95 to the NJ Turnpike to the Garden State Pkwy to the NY Thruway (87) up to Rt. 149 over to 4 and then 22A. I definitely would not go 7. 81 is ok and I know a lot of my family in Vermont like that route - but it adds time and mileage. You don't have tolls but I think it is around 60 miles or more out of the way. What time of day are you driving? We generally drive at night and we've made three trips (getting ready for a 4th next week) in the last few months and not had any issues with traffic, etc.

We drive down and back every year to the Keys and we avoid DC/MD/DE and NJ at all costs. The tolls are ridiculous and the congestion no matter what time we go through DC/Baltimore is a parking lot. We have even tried to get through there 4 AM and 8 PM, still congestion. In the RV, the tolls were $65.

I recommended 7 because the OP didn't state where they were going in VT in the original post. I agree, 7 can be slow.

[Ellwood]

Originally Posted by Chadd1014

I always stay on RT 87 N the North-way and take the Essex Ferry across. I don't like all those 22A type roads. As long as the ferry is running, I do the same going South. It's worth a few dollars to ride the boat to me.

I used Ted Bear's directions to ride a motorcycle back from North Carolina a couple of years back just to stay off of 95..worked out great 1000 miles in less than 24 hours.

Watch for little dead deer around NJ, all over the place...scary on two wheels.

I have driven all over on my Harley (which currently is for sale) and one of the prettiest rides is on Rt 100 in VT. If you know someone I have a 2007 Ultra loaded and pristine for sale.

[vermonter16]

Originally Posted by Ellwood

We drive down and back every year to the Keys and we avoid DC/MD/DE and NJ at all costs. The tolls are ridiculous and the congestion no matter what time we go through DC/Baltimore is a parking lot. We have even tried to get through there 4 AM and 8 PM, still congestion. In the RV, the tolls were $65.

I recommended 7 because the OP didn't state where they were going in VT in the original post. I agree, 7 can be slow.

Yeah 4am and 8pm are still high commute times. At night time, you might get construction on 95 in Maryland or on the beltway here in the DC area, I know it well. That's why I leave at 3am for my commute every day. I fare great through NJ at night time. I guess it's all about timing in the end. If the person is driving during the day, yeah, 81 would probably run a lot more smoothly.

I guess when it comes to tolls, since we have so many toll roads around here I don't think about it. Well, I do think about it but it is just one of those things you just deal with. We have the traffic management tolls that rise and fall depending on congestion. We have a 14 mile stretch of road that costs over $20 in commuter traffic. On a normal basis it costs you $10. We have another new toll that costs you over $6 to go 3 miles and that can increase if traffic is really bad. So you can sit for an hour to go a few miles or spend most of your paycheck every day on tolls, lol. Such is life.

Good points though.

[azwildcatfan]

Thanks for all the tips!
We will be traveling during the day, with three kids (one who hates driving at night-fights sleep if in the car at night!) So avoiding congestion was our main plan. It seems we have a solid route mapped out now, much easier with the comments made here! Thanks again. We look forward to making Vermont our home soon!

[harpoonalt]

We use our GPS to plan routes. We see the difference in time using the fastest time option vs "avoid highways and tolls" . We did that when we went to the outer banks and it was 30 minutes longer avoiding highways, but way more relaxing and scenic. Great way to find fun places vs. grinding out the miles on the interstate.

[azwildcatfan]

I just wanted to say thanks again, we made it safely and with little congestion (aside from road construction in PA). Beautiful drive!

[Ted Bear]

Originally Posted by azwildcatfan

I just wanted to say thanks again, we made it safely and with little congestion (aside from road construction in PA). Beautiful drive!

Glad it worked out well for you.