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4tfamily · 01-12-2013, 06:52 PM

We're traveling from southeastern MA down I95. We'd like to go around NYC. What's the best way? Tappan Zee Bridge?

W4RLR · 01-12-2013, 07:53 PM

Tappan Zee Bridge is the best way of avoiding NYC.

docj · 01-12-2013, 08:00 PM

Everyone has his own "best way" for avoiding NYC. Although the Tappen Zee is Ok, we prefer to take I-84 out of MA connecting to I-81. You can stay on 81 until after you pass the Balt/DC area. It connects to I-64E in Charlottesville which then takes you to VA288 on the west side of Richmond. You end up rejoining I-95 south of Richmond having missed all the major metro areas. Even the Google analysis of the time it takes to do this shows it to be only slightly longer and the "real-world" time is often less than having to deal with the inevitable traffic jams in multiple cities. Our objective when planning our routes is to minimize stress and this route does it for us.

4tfamily · 01-12-2013, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

Everyone has his own "best way" for avoiding NYC. Although the Tappen Zee is Ok, we prefer to take I-84 out of MA connecting to I-81. You can stay on 81 until after you pass the Balt/DC area. It connects to I-64E in Charlottesville which then takes you to VA288 on the west side of Richmond. You end up rejoining I-95 south of Richmond having missed all the major metro areas. Even the Google analysis of the time it takes to do this shows it to be only slightly longer and the "real-world" time is often less than having to deal with the inevitable traffic jams in multiple cities. Our objective when planning our routes is to minimize stress and this route does it for us.

Sounds good, but does it take you into high elevations? We're actually headed to Atlanta, but wanted to go 95 to avoid going through the Appalachians at any point, only because of the time of year.

Also, coming from Southeastern MA, what do you think would be the best way to pick up 84?

Thanks!

chuckinthebus · 01-12-2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4tfamily

Sounds good, but does it take you into high elevations? We're actually headed to Atlanta, but wanted to go 95 to avoid going through the Appalachians at any point, only because of the time of year.

Also, coming from Southeastern MA, what do you think would be the best way to pick up 84?

Thanks!

This is our normal way out. Boston, MA to Atlanta, GA - Google Maps
But we stay on 81 and go through Knoxville to get home to Chattanooga.

capsfloyd · 01-12-2013, 09:02 PM

Come to Texas , we avoid NYC also in Texas... Lol
Safe trip boys and girls

GG1 · 01-12-2013, 09:08 PM

From Mass take the NY Thruway south to I 287 in New Jersey to the NJ Turnpike (I 95) south to the Delaware Memorial Brdge continue onto I 95 south

hometool · 01-12-2013, 09:14 PM

i live in hanson ma (near brockton) i use i495 to i90(mass pike) to i84

docj · 01-13-2013, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4tfamily

Sounds good, but does it take you into high elevations? We're actually headed to Atlanta, but wanted to go 95 to avoid going through the Appalachians at any point, only because of the time of year.

Also, coming from Southeastern MA, what do you think would be the best way to pick up 84?

Thanks!

Although you can always hit bad weather in NY or PA this time of year, I-81 runs through a valley and isn't at high altitude. If you're going to Atlanta you would pick up I-85 just south of Richmond, that way you would have the "pleasure" of being on I-95 for only 11 miles. We know because we have used this route to get to Raleigh, which is on the way to Atlanta!

Norm Mac · 01-13-2013, 09:54 AM

No Tolls - No Traffic - Minimal Mountains

Take 84 West (We take MassPike to exit 9 Sturbridge)(no real direct route from Southest MA near cape)

I84 West through Hartford, Waterbury, Newburgh, NY all the way to Scranton, PA (This segment is a lttle hilly but not bad)

In Scranton take I81 South to Harrisburg (this segment is VERY hilly, up and down constantly)

In Harrisburg take I83 South toward Baltimore (this segment is pretty level)

Near Baltimore take 695 Beltway (South,West?) around Baltimore to I95.

You can then take 95 south to DC Beltway and then 95 all the way to Florida.

This path keeps you on the Interstates, minimizes the interior mountains, and eliminates all tolls southbound (except MassPike). It does not avoid traffic near Baltimore or Washington DC.

We used this exact route in September and liked all exept the I81 hilly portion

demoon · 01-13-2013, 11:24 AM

IMHO, the Tappan Zee to 287 and 95 is not that big a deal. It is 100+ miles shorter and you stay out of the mountains. This time of year the PA mountains can be nasty. Also, last time we went 94 to Scranton it was in tough shape - hopefully that has been repaired.
As an aside, we live near Worcester, just off the MA Pike, so that is our route west. But, if I lived in southeast MA I might think about just heading west on 95 to 287. 495 and the Pike are no charms when it comes to traffic.
That being said, everyone has their favorite routes and what works for one may not for another.
Have a great trip and travel safe,

ChooChooMan7 · 01-13-2013, 11:34 AM

Unless you are traveling at night, I would go over the TZB or take the 84 to 81 route around the metropolitan areas.

To get to 84, you can go Mass Pike. For me, I would go Rt 6. Just a little more scenic and a little less mileage, but about the same amount of time.