[seventythree]

Hi,

We are moving to the New Haven area soon and are starting to think about where to live. I will be working in New Haven, so the commute is a big factor in our decision.

From what we can tell so far, Madison and Guilford are likely where we will end up.

Can someone tell me what the commute into New Haven is like coming from that direction? Does traffic back up as you get closer in to New Haven? If we use Google maps and it says 30 minutes normally to get into New Haven, how much should I add to that during rush hour?

Also, although we are most likely going to end up living east of New Haven, we haven't entirely ruled out west or north. Are those commutes better/worse than the Madison/Guilford commute?

Thanks very much in advance for the help!

[The_Explorer]

I'm curious about commuting from New Haven to Hartford for work if I got the job offer since I'm having a tough time finding a place that will accept lab mix or a mix breed dog, and affordable rent.

[Stylo]

Commutes from north are a but easier but no commute is really "bad".

91 south to both 95 north and south in the afternoons is the worst bit. It'll get better when the bridge project is done next year.

If you like Guilford/Madison, go for it.

[SeaDoo342]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Commutes from north are a but easier but no commute is really "bad".

91 south to both 95 north and south in the afternoons is the worst bit. It'll get better when the bridge project is done next year.

If you like Guilford/Madison, go for it.

The worst is getting ON 95/91 from the downtown area. It's a mess!

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by seventythree

Hi,

We are moving to the New Haven area soon and are starting to think about where to live. I will be working in New Haven, so the commute is a big factor in our decision.

From what we can tell so far, Madison and Guilford are likely where we will end up.

Can someone tell me what the commute into New Haven is like coming from that direction? Does traffic back up as you get closer in to New Haven? If we use Google maps and it says 30 minutes normally to get into New Haven, how much should I add to that during rush hour?

Also, although we are most likely going to end up living east of New Haven, we haven't entirely ruled out west or north. Are those commutes better/worse than the Madison/Guilford commute?

Thanks very much in advance for the help!

Coming from the Madison/Guilford area, you will likely hit some traffic in the morning but the I-95 reconstruction project has done a lot to minimize the traffic. There is also the option of taking the Shoreline East commuter train into New Haven since there are stations in both of the towns you mention and shuttles from Union Station to different locations in and around the city. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by SeaDoo342

The worst is getting ON 95/91 from the downtown area. It's a mess!

This is temporary. The state allowed the contractor to temporarily reduce the ramp from Route 34 to I-91 northbound to one lane to speed construction. Once that lane reopens, traffic will flow much smoother. Jay

[mitsene]

I drive from New Haven to Madison every morning. I typically see traffic backed up into at least East Haven, sometimes all the way back to Branford (so add another 15-30 minutes for that, if not more). I drive from Westville so in the return trip, I have to cut through downtown on the way home, and it typically takes 45-50 minutes even though the Google maps gives the time as 35 minutes. Traffic backs up over the Quinnipiac Bridge when you're coming from the east, and it's hard to avoid, even with new lanes being added.
I've tried to look up taking the train from NH to Madison. Metro north lines end in New Haven, so you'd be taking shoreline east, which is more expensive than Metro North but less expensive than Amtrak (if my memory serves correct). The line also does not run nearly as often as Metro North. If you live in downtown Madison it might be worth it, but if not you'd still have to drive to the train station and possibly pay for parking.
In that respect, I would take a good look at Woodbridge and even Seymour. There isn't as much traffic coming from that direction as there is on the highways, and they're still very nice little towns.

[Vandy-bound]

I drive from Hebron to New Haven every day for work and my commute doesn't seem to be much longer than for many who live a lot closer. It takes ~45 min from my house to the parking garage at work in the morning, as long as I leave before 7:30, and the reverse takes about 60 minutes exactly at night. I agree that the 91 exit 1 ramp and that whole general area is currently a mess, but I'm looking forward to things improving substantially as the construction wraps up.

I would guess that going all the way New Haven --> Hartford is about an hour, maybe 75 minutes, depending on where you end up at both locations.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by mitsene

In that respect, I would take a good look at Woodbridge and even Seymour. There isn't as much traffic coming from that direction as there is on the highways, and they're still very nice little towns.

The traffic from Madison/Guilford is not serious enough to look into other areas if those are the towns the OP wants to live in. 34 isn't exactly fun in the mornings either.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Stylo

The traffic from Madison/Guilford is not serious enough to look into other areas if those are the towns the OP wants to live in. 34 isn't exactly fun in the mornings either.

From Seymour and Woodbridge, you wouldn't take 34. You'd take 67 to 63 in Westville. It wouldn't take more than 15 minutes from Seymour. Less from Woodbridge. Add another vote for these towns, as the commute would be a breeze.

In the summer evenings, or Thursday/Friday year round, getting anywhere past East Haven (more specifically, past exit 54) from New Haven is very difficult. Speaking from experience.