How to avoid traffic on Saturday through CT, NY, NJ?

Question

Driving south on 84/95 from New England to NC -- How bad is traffic between Hartford, NYC, and New Jersey on Saturday afternoon? Is it worth going west (84) to avoid? Thanks for tips.

Answer 1

I wouldn't use 95 to GWB One of my rules of life is never drive on the Cross Bronx Expressway and there is another bottleneck on 95 before the Bruckner Interchange. Use alternative route to GWB (297 to Saw Mill to Henry Hudson) or use 84 - 684 - 297 Tappan Zee GSP to NJ turnpike. That's my experience having lived in NJ Metro area over 40 years. There is heavy Traffic going out of NYC on Saturday Morning and heavy traffice returning on Saturday late afternoons -- 4PM and later, especially in the summertime

Edit Yeah there is construction on 287 I just don't think traffic will be that bad on a Saturday afternoon.

Answer 2

At the southern end of I-684, on I287 in White Plains there is road construction. Scary if you are not used to it as 53' long tractor trailers don't slow down on the narrow lanes and bump/bounce around within inches of other vehicles. Fergetaboutit. Take I-84 over the Hudson RIver and down the New York State Thruway (I-87) until Suffern, then I-287 south to the Jersey Turnpike south. On I-287, traffic can get heavy around Morristown but unless there is an accident or breakdown, it keeps moving ok on Sat. afternoon.

Answer 3

I think that you may find this interesting
These are mapquest's numbers
BOS> RDU
1) Via Hartford >New Haven > NYC>DC > RDU - 720 mi
2) Via Harrisburg >White Plains NY> Danbury > BOS-784 mi
3) Via Harrisburg> Scranton > Danbury > BOS -799 mi
Would I trade 80 more miles for much less traffic , a more scenic route and no tolls ?
In a New York minute

Answer 4

I would say taking 84 to 684 south then 287 all the way into Jersey would be the way to go.

Answer 5

nice weather yes. Shore traffic will kill you
what time do you want to leave 4 a.m. to miss this or
7 a.m.

go the long way to avoid the bumper to bumper
Co-op city is alwyas a mess .
so avoid the GW and the issues