[sk838]

I am a technogy assistant in Midtown Manhanntan. However, starting on April 1, 2014, I am bein moved to Downtown Hartford. I looked up my route on my GPS, and my commute is from Exit 8 (Bethel) to Exit 50 (Downtown Hartford.) GPS is saying about 1 hour and 15 minutes. My commute to Midtown is 1 hour and a half. Anyways, I have to be at work by 9:00AM, so I will leave at about 7:30AM. My job ends at 5:00PM, so I expect to be home by 6:15PM. But, is this commute doable? I have never traveled east of Exit 9 at those times. How is that commute?

[Stylo]

You will usually cruise all the way up to Hartford if you leave that early, but will hit some pretty serious traffic in Hartford on 84. Definitely doable in less than 90 minutes, except on days with bad winter weather or accidents. Use a smart traffic-driven nav app like Waze, it'll save you time. Some days you may even want to take 84>684>91.

[Lalalally]

Originally Posted by Stylo

You will usually cruise all the way up to Hartford if you leave that early, but will hit some pretty serious traffic in Hartford on 84. Definitely doable in less than 90 minutes, except on days with bad winter weather or accidents. Use a smart traffic-driven nav app like Waze, it'll save you time. Some days you may even want to take 84>684>91.

Bethel to Hartford = 84>684>91 ???

[Stylo]

Typo, obviously. Meant 691.

[Lalalally]

Gotcha

[SeaDoo342]

Originally Posted by Stylo

You will usually cruise all the way up to Hartford if you leave that early, but will hit some pretty serious traffic in Hartford on 84. Definitely doable in less than 90 minutes, except on days with bad winter weather or accidents. Use a smart traffic-driven nav app like Waze, it'll save you time. Some days you may even want to take 84>684>91.

Waterbury traffic...dont forget that. It's awful... up there with Hartford traffic.

[hvexpatinct]

7:30-8:30 is generally the worst time for 84 eastbound through Waterbury. If you can get to Waterbury before 7:30 it is often a fairly smooth ride but after that no guarantees - yesterday I hit the mixmaster at 8:15 and it took a solid 30 mins to get across Waterbury to 691 alone. You will then hit a backup in Farmington (exit 39-40) about 80% of the time. Taking 691 to 91 can save time but doesn't always.

5pm is the absolute worst time to leave Hartford and then try to get through Waterbury. It's solid traffic from downtown to about exit 40, and then from just past exit 26 all the way through Waterbury. I would expect a 90 minute drive to Bethel most days. You can often cut about 15 mins off by leaving Hartford at 4:30 instead.

[sk838]

So, as what you are saying, Hartford is the worst out of all of it and will take 90 minutes. So, only 15 minutes in traffic?

[FutureTown]

I live in Newtown (Exit 9-11) and border Bethel. I can reach Hartford in 45 mins with no traffic. If you speed (I don't suggest this), you can reach in 38-40 mins and Waterbury in 15 mins. With typical traffic, I reach Hartford in 50 mins. With your typical rush hour time, it'll take you anywhere from 75 to 90 mins in the morning. You'll hit traffic most likely twice. Once in Waterbury and again in West Hartford/Hartford. 5 to 6 P.M is THE worst time traffic wise. I've been stuck for 2 hours before eastbound. However, westbound was just as clogged.

Sometimes, rarely, you'll hit traffic in the teens exit (13-18). Usually cause of some accident or construction work going on. If that's the case, you'll be sitting for a while since it's mostly two lanes.

If you're used to commuting to Manhattan, you'll be fine. If anything, I suspect you'll shave some time. Newtown to Hartford is doable, but may not be pleasant (again, subjective). You'll probably like your commute more, tbh.

[sk838]

Well, if Google Maps says the trip takes ~75 minutes, I can probably do it in ~45. Also, what about exits 9-13. Eastbound is always clogged, but what about westbound? Right before Exit 8, I usually see cars slowing down ahead.