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Here is how I usually go if I don't feel like taking my chances on the GWB:
Cross Island ---> Throgs Neck (695) ---> 95 N ---> 287 W ---> 87 N. You do need to pay attention to the signs. This is not the easiest way but you will avoid the GWB traffic.
Here is how I usually go if I don't feel like taking my chances on the GWB:
Cross Island ---> Throgs Neck (695) ---> 95 N ---> 287 W ---> 87 N. You do need to pay attention to the signs. This is not the easiest way but you will avoid the GWB traffic.
The time isn't too critical, give or take 15 minutes or maybe half hour difference I was just looking for something more straight foward without a gajillion exits and lane changes and having to watch every single sign. I haven't been behind the wheel for an upstate run in like 10 years so I never really paid too much attention when someone else was driving. I'm fine once I get on the Thruway.
I know most of upstate pretty good but I'm horrible with the city limits. Go figure.
Here is how I usually go if I don't feel like taking my chances on the GWB:
Cross Island ---> Throgs Neck (695) ---> 95 N ---> 287 W ---> 87 N. You do need to pay attention to the signs. This is not the easiest way but you will avoid the GWB traffic.
Yes, that is sort of the "default" way of getting to the Thruway from Long Island. Probably not the fastest, but it keeps you on Interstates and/or the Thruway system as much as possible, and it avoids the Cross Bronx.
Minor nitpick: the Throgs Neck Bridge is I-295, not I-695. After the tollbooth, you bear right, onto I-695 NB, which is a connector to I-95 NB.
Another routes which I have never tried, but I've been told is a good way to avoid the Tappan Zee Bridge if you are going further north: either take I-95 NB to I-287 WB as described above by JDawg, and then take I-684 NB. Or, take the Whitestone Bridge to the Hutchinson River Parkway to I-684 NB. (you can also switch between I-95 and the Hutch if you want to take the Throgs Neck and the Hutch, or the Whitestone and I-95, but I'm trying to keep it simple). Either way, take I-684 NB to the end, and then take I-84 WB, and cross the Hudson on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. You can then pick up the Thruway (I-87) if you need to go further north.
For what it's worth, Pelham Parkway, and Mosholu Parkway are nice ways to get across the Bronx (definitely beats the Cross Bronx), but I doubt that they are part of any fastest or easiest way to get to the Thruway.
Here is how I usually go if I don't feel like taking my chances on the GWB:
Cross Island ---> Throgs Neck (695) ---> 95 N ---> 287 W ---> 87 N. You do need to pay attention to the signs. This is not the easiest way but you will avoid the GWB traffic.
This is absolutely a better route and is my standard. Also consider the taconic parkway. I avoid the lower taconic by taking 287n to 684 N to 84W to the taconic.
Depending on where you are going this can save you a bit on tolls if you can skip the TappanZee.
Cross Bronx to GWB to palisades parkway to 87 north. I went to college outside Albany and this was by far - on a regular basis - the quickest route. Of course that was *ahem* quite a few years ago. But we also used to go to Saratoga every summer till about 10 years ago and that was the route we always took. You can make it to Albany in 3 hours barring any major traffic issues. I have tried every route there is and this one was always the best.
This is exactly the way you want to go!
Use the upper GWB and just make sure you are over the bridge by 7:00 am to avoid traffic during rush hours.
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