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One of the main reasons that the Major Deagan and the Harlem River and Upper East River Bridges are in such high demand are they are toll free. The HH and SM are tolled which in most cases gives you a better run. The only issue is if there is rain then the HH and West Side Highway become a parking lot.
The Saw Mill has no tolls. The only toll on the HH is the HH Bridge.
I find on a Friday afternoon, the worst time to drive NYC-NE, best thing is the HH to the SM, but stay on the SM all the way to the end where it merges with 684, and continue to 84 east. Of course the 684/84 interchange will be a mess, as will half of your drive on 84 in CT.
A few times I kept driving north of 684 on 22 to Pawling, then Patterson, then east to New Fairfield, then Sherman, Washington Depot, New Milford, Morris, East Morris, Thomaston, Bristol, etc. Tres scenic and no jams (after the weekenders on 22).
Oops, sorry! But I'll bet the fact that it involves driving through Harlem probably keeps out of towners away, I was a little reluctant, but what I saw was not what I expected. Parks and trees and rock ledges all along the way.
Yesterday I went to the 911 memorial and then up to Rockefeller Center, when I left around midnight I figured traffic shouldn't be to bad so I went my usual RFK manhattan span to Bruckner expy to 95. Sat in the cash only line at both toll plazas for about 15 minutes each. I will get an easy pass for the next trip for sure.
One of the main reasons that the Major Deagan and the Harlem River and Upper East River Bridges are in such high demand are they are toll free. The HH and SM are tolled which in most cases gives you a better run. The only issue is if there is rain then the HH and West Side Highway become a parking lot.
As misterstereoman mentioned, no tolls except the HH bridge, and unless they are going to mail me a toll invoice, I did not stop and I don't have easypass. I think the toll was closed, it looked like they were working on it?
I see on the map what your talking about with the alternate bridges, Willis Avenue Bridge is the very next exit past RFK bridge, is it very difficult to get back to Bruckner Expy north from that bridge? Or would you only go that route if you were going up Major Deegan? The cash lane at the Toll on RFK is a pain but the 4-5 lane cross over to get to 278/ Bruckner is even worse.
Would it be too far out of the way, when leaving Manhattan from the east side, to just follow Harlem river Drive to the end, to dyckman, to riverside and get on HH to SawMill to Cross County etc? Especially if you were planning on taking HRP/ Merit, and not 95.
I'm thinking about it, but I really don't mind driving in the city, it's just getting there. I seem to be pretty lucky finding parking, though I'm probably illegal half the time, when I got back to my car yesterday, down by the 911 memorial, there wasn't another car on the street except mine. Then I saw the yellow note on the poles, Film shoot, all cars removed by 5 pm, this was already 10 pm!
As misterstereoman mentioned, no tolls except the HH bridge, and unless they are going to mail me a toll invoice, I did not stop and I don't have easypass. I think the toll was closed, it looked like they were working on it?
I see on the map what your talking about with the alternate bridges, Willis Avenue Bridge is the very next exit past RFK bridge, is it very difficult to get back to Bruckner Expy north from that bridge? Or would you only go that route if you were going up Major Deegan? The cash lane at the Toll on RFK is a pain but the 4-5 lane cross over to get to 278/ Bruckner is even worse.
Would it be too far out of the way, when leaving Manhattan from the east side, to just follow Harlem river Drive to the end, to dyckman, to riverside and get on HH to SawMill to Cross County etc? Especially if you were planning on taking HRP/ Merit, and not 95.
Not sure about the toll on the HH, it's usually open, can't see them giving away the toll for free but you never know. I know no tolls on the Saw Mill and stuff but some folks will do anything to avoid them.
The Willis is fine for getting back to the Bruckner, two left lanes go north on the Deagan the two rights go to the Bruckner.
It all depends on traffic, sometimes the FDR/HRD can be backed up and getting crosstown to the West Side Highway 9A is a breeze but then you hit traffic on 9A.
But a more serious answer to driving out of NYC Friday rush hour on Fourth of July Weekend to go to New England would be: "Are you completely NUTS?" You'll spend half the weekend in your car.
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