Northeaster Road Trip Advice Needed

[Richard in Florida]

I'll be driving north on 95 through New Jersey on my way to Albany. What's the best least stressful way to transition from 95 onto 287/87?

[V12Bill]

Close your eyes and step on the go pedal.

[rossodino34]

If you have to go through NJ V12Bill kinda nails it.
If you can avoid NJ fight your way through DC-Baltimore, pickup I-83 into Harrisburg, then I-78 to I-81 up to I-84 which puts you on the New York Thruway. May be longer but may be worth it.

[jrhaelig]

The NJ Turnpike connects to I-287 at exit 10.

You'll drive from Bill's house to mine in the process.

The Pennsylvania route sounds nice, but NJ would be flatter if that matters.

[GSCOV]

81 to 78 to 287 Watch the signs

[jacob smith]

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Follow rossodino34 advice. Time wise you are talking less then 45 minutes and you do not have to deal with the traffic.

[Barry-ct]

I-84 from Scranton to the NY border is under construction with traffic shifted to one side or the other due to reconstruction and bridge replacement.

[Richard in Florida]

Originally Posted by rossodino34

If you can avoid NJ fight your way through DC-Baltimore, pickup I-83 into Harrisburg, then I-78 to I-81 up to I-84 which puts you on the New York Thruway. May be longer but may be worth it.

That rang a bell as advice received a few years back. And since I am in no hurry and not a big fan of traffic, that's what I'll do.

As for the comment about power, I'll be driving a 2015 Camaro convertible with the top down whenever possible.

[Grandadeo]

On my last trip south through NJ I-95 ripped the pro welded left front shock mount off the frame of my '32 Roadster. On my next trip to New England I drove around NJ as described above.

Lee

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Once you get over the Del Mem Bridge, take 295 vs the NJTPK - you'll save some tolls and it is a nicer ride in my opinion. Just watch your signs for 295 - that will connect with 195 - go east towards the coast and then pick up the NJT for 3-4 exits getting off at exit 10 for 287, 287 runs you into the thruway and you are golden from there. Things will be a lot easier with an EZPass for the tolls ...

[Sid the Maineiac]

I like Tom T 's advice. Traffic will not be bad! Just did this recently. As for cruising with the top down you might want to wait until next June to make your trip ! Snow will build up in a convertible EVEN with the heater on this time of year !! LOL

[A bones]

Originally Posted by rossodino34

If you have to go through NJ V12Bill kinda nails it.
If you can avoid NJ fight your way through DC-Baltimore, pickup I-83 into Harrisburg, then I-78 to I-81 up to I-84 which puts you on the New York Thruway. May be longer but may be worth it.

Both are correct. Given the time and fuel I don't mind the Scranton PA route. The hills are considerable as is the distance.

Taking your question at face value (I-95 to I-287) LOOK THIS ONE UP. I used to run this frequently. I-95 when in DE run in the middle lanes for I-495 to bypass Wilmington, back on I-95, Chester and Philly can get sticky, but nothing like DC and Balt. Cross into Jersey on I-95 Over the Delaware river. At the bridge count one, two, three exits. The third NJ exit For NJ route 31 North is yours. A few miles up the there is a small one lane circle. Take the second exit to continue rte 31 North. This by the way is a nice two lane tree lined country (suburbs?) road. So about twenty miles-give or take- you're going down a steep long hill watching for a big sign for US 202 East, as well as NJ 31 on the right. Take the ramp. US route 202 is your classic four lane with a grass median. As you pass through Flemington NJ what appears to be a circle is more like an intersection, (you're just going straight) with the circle on the left as RT 31 heads North. Your path is US 202 East through Bridgewater NJ(expect volume traffic). After Bridgewater keep left to enter I-287 North. You're on your way at the Western side of the I-287 loop.

This is one of the nicer views of Jersey. As I said I ran this often for years. I give it the least stress and the shortest distance.

Sooo I'm so slow at the keys and playing with dog there were seven posts during my reply. Just need to say everyone is right. However there is no way to not expect stress in NJ, The Scranton ride is a hoot.

By the way, love your avatar.

[scrapiron]

Take the roads less traveled,,,and 95 ain't one of them,,,,

[paul2748]

If your destination is 87, an alternative way is to go up 95 and take the exit for the Garden State Parkway and stay on it to 87. This avoids the George Washington Bridge and the outskirts of NYC which you would run into if went all the way up 95 . There are tolls on the GSP, but if you have EZ pass its a breeze.

As others have said, time your trip to avoid mornings and late afternoons because of the commuter traffic. It can be terrible if there is an accident.

[jim1932]

Originally Posted by GSCOV

81 to 78 to 287 Watch the signs

You need to hit 24 between 78 and 287 or that is a long excursion.

From Florida with no planned route, take 95 then up through Charlotte to 81 to 84 to Thruway.

ADDED BONUS - this by-passes over $20 in tolls between Baltimore and the thruway.

[Kahuna]

Tolls? What are tolls? Have to pay to go somewhere? Or, pay to get somewhere quicker?

[Cecil/WV]

Originally Posted by jim1932

You need to hit 24 between 78 and 287 or that is a long excursion.

From Florida with no planned route, take 95 then up through Charlotte to 81 to 84 to Thruway.

ADDED BONUS - this by-passes over $20 in tolls between Baltimore and the thruway.

This would be my route as Jim says, but I will add details--95 to 26 to Columbia and 77 thru Charlotte to 81. Miss all the BS around Washington, Baltimore and Philly.

[VeryTangled]

Originally Posted by Cecil/WV

This would be my route as Jim says, but I will add details--95 to 26 to Columbia and 77 thru Charlotte to 81. Miss all the BS around Washington, Baltimore and Philly.

Hi Everyone, Richard, whenever I need a slick route somewhere I consult Cecil.

I hope I'm not telling any tales that I shouldn't be, but among other things, he's a professional bus driver. So there aren't too many places he hasn't figured the best routes to and from.

Now from me, I-95 is a crapshoot. I've done the run to and from Spring Training the last two years and (knock wood) it has treated us well. I'm waiting for the payback.

The section from Richmond to Tysons Corner around DC to Baltimore is almost frightful enough to take extra time/miles to avoid. I drove that two weekends ago (South Sunday AM, North Sunday PM) and the other side was jammed (5 miles of crawl) on both the down and back trips, so again I got the lucky side of the coin.

Whatever route you use, be safe!

[42Ford M-H]

My 2 cents if you are coming from Florida, Not sure where in FL. I go to Orlando once a year and live in upstate NY. We take I4 > 95 > 26? to Columbia > 77 > 81 all the way. For you I would take 81 to Binghamton and take 88 to Albany. Hate 95, Unless its 2am and then even that isnt a safe bet

Usually spend the night in Christiansburg, VA Hotels are < $100 a night

[jim1932]

You haven't said WHEN you are going. Weekday rush hour traffic is bad around any major city (Charlotte and Harrisburg included). Problem with 95 is getting from Richmond to above NY without hitting a rush hour in one or more of them. Next to impossible.

Not likely to get much convertible use. They are Skiing near Albany