Need Best Route: MD - NY - CT - RI

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

We are driving from Maryland Using Interstate I-95
To Newport Rhode Island - Early to Mid September

What are the best routes to get around New York

How much will it cost for Tolls...

We would like to stop at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Casino
and spend a day in Mystic Ct. sighting and taking photos.

The trip is just under 400 miles and takes on average 6 hours
but we expect it to take 8 hrs. We will be staying in Newport

*We know how to get to the Delaware Memorial Bridge*
We have not been pass Philadelphia Pa/NJ turnpike in years!!!

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Marti I think you might be stuck with 95. you can use 13 once in MD. I took a different way down south through PA that went into western VA but that added 100 miles to the trip.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

I seem to have a phobia about driving in the city, so I tend to go around whenever possible. If you get on the NY thruway north and then exit onto Rt. 84 east it would take you thru Hartford, then rt. 9 or 2 (can't remember) will take you south to the casinos. Rush hour on I-84 can be gridlock, particularly in the Waterbury area (what I am most familiar with) and Hartford.

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

I-95

I-95 Tolls

http://www.usastar.com/i95/tolls.htm


George Washington Bridge (I-95)
Ft. Lee, NJ to Manhattan, NY $6.00

[KenK Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close KenK]

I know you know the rt 50/301 way to get to 95 avoiding Baltimore....it is practiacally traffic less....Rt 50/301 over Anapolis Bridge to 301 to Del. Once in Del on 301 (you will know because the 4 lane MD section becomes a 2 lane local), stay on 301 to Middletown (note the WaWa and shopping center.

Then cut through Middletown (follow signage to Odessa), and just before Odessa, note entrance to Del Toll Road Route ONE (it is not stse route US rt one).

Stay on Del Toll Rt 1 and use E Z Pass ($1.00). You will note signage that says exit for NY & NJ and Delaware Bridge. DO NOT TAKE IT. It wastes time on US Rt 13.

Instead, continue on Toll Del 1 to exit that says Interstate 95 N. That exit will avoid all of Rt 13.

Stay on 95 N and decide....NJ Turnpike (TOLL), Interstate 295 (free) or I 95 through the Philly areas.

Most would pick NJ Turnpike...which might be the easiest way. I 95 will take you too far out of your way to easily get back to NJ turnpike.

Drs appoint...be right back

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

EZ-Pass

Traveling North is so expensive - lots of tolls
We just purchased our first Easy Pass today!

[KenK Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close KenK]

When you get near the Del Mem Bridge, if your choice is to stay on I 95, it will take you through Philly, and across the Del River just N of Trenton, where you will back track to the NJ Turnpike.

If, after you cross the Del Memorial Bridge, and there is an inkling of a back up, it might be those having to get tix. EZ Pass does not get a tix, and goes through the EZ Pass express lanes. (They get confused, so it backs up).

WCBS NYC 880 AM has traffic every 12 to 15 minutes. (So does KYW in Philly...forgot the frequency) If there is a real bad backup. WCBS will report it, even though out of it now clear channel area.)

If you can determine Turnpike problems before you get on, aim for Interstate 295, which runs along side the Turnpike & is free. But as you go N, it gets further apart. Exit it at Interstate 195 EAST to pick up the Turnpike just below Trenton. But, best bet is the Turnpike.

What have you decided on as to staying on I 95 or doing like Tony Said?

For I 95, you will stay on the NJT to the George Washington Bridge....and follow I 95 .

If you want to use the Tappan Zee Bridge, you need to get off the NJT at the GSP exit and go north on the Garden State Parkway to the NY Throughway and head toward the Tappen Zee Bridge. (All will accept EZ Pass). (EZ Pass isn't accepted S of Virginia -yet- as far as I know.

I can't help you much after the NYC area. I do know I 95 passes both Mystic and near the casinos.....but I also know the road itself could use some refurfacing,

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

A cheaper way

Once you have decided on I-95 for New Jersey you can opt to take it towards the GW Bridge. Stay in the local lanes and pay attention as you will take an exit prior to the Bridge for the Palisades Interstate Parkway ( toll free ) north.

Take the PIP to exit 9 87S/287W Tappan Zee Bridge. Cross the TZBridge and continue west on 287 to the Hutchinson River Pkwy (also Toll Free ) north. I want to say the Hutch is exit 11 but I'm not absolutely positive. The name of the road will change to the Merritt Pkwy when you cross into Conneticut continue north to Milford, CT where there is a switch over to I-95 north. This will take you past Mystic and towards Rhode Island.

You will save quite a bit of money and time using this route around NYC as you will pay NO tolls after the exit 16 NJTurnpike. Taking I-87N to I-84W is expensive and the long LONG way around.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Once you have decided on I-95 for New Jersey you can opt to take it towards the GW Bridge. Stay in the local lanes and pay attention as you will take an exit prior to the Bridge for the Palisades Interstate Parkway ( toll free ) north.

Take the PIP to exit 9 87S/287W Tappan Zee Bridge. Cross the TZBridge and continue west on 287 to the Hutchinson River Pkwy (also Toll Free ) north. I want to say the Hutch is exit 11 but I'm not absolutely positive. The name of the road will change to the Merritt Pkwy when you cross into Conneticut continue north to Milford, CT where there is a switch over to I-95 north. This will take you past Mystic and towards Rhode Island.

You will save quite a bit of money and time using this route around NYC as you will pay NO tolls after the exit 16 NJTurnpike. Taking I-87N to I-84W is expensive and the long LONG way around.

Lawren's way is also more interesting driving and should have a lot less traffic.

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Just for clarification, the Hutch is exit 9N off of 287. If you decide to go this way, let me know and maybe we can have lunch, as I am off of the Merritt in CT (exit 42), about 25 minutes north of 287.

Sharon

Once you have decided on I-95 for New Jersey you can opt to take it towards the GW Bridge. Stay in the local lanes and pay attention as you will take an exit prior to the Bridge for the Palisades Interstate Parkway ( toll free ) north.

Take the PIP to exit 9 87S/287W Tappan Zee Bridge. Cross the TZBridge and continue west on 287 to the Hutchinson River Pkwy (also Toll Free ) north. I want to say the Hutch is exit 11 but I'm not absolutely positive. The name of the road will change to the Merritt Pkwy when you cross into Conneticut continue north to Milford, CT where there is a switch over to I-95 north. This will take you past Mystic and towards Rhode Island.

You will save quite a bit of money and time using this route around NYC as you will pay NO tolls after the exit 16 NJTurnpike. Taking I-87N to I-84W is expensive and the long LONG way around.

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Trip Report

September 2, 2006 - Stormy Weather and Extremely Heavy Traffic

We left home around 10:30 AM and took the Eastern Shore Route
Route 50 over the Chesapeake Bay - Preston Lane Bridge - $2.50
North on Route 301 towards Wilmington - RT 40 to New Castle De
Across the Delaware Memorial Bridge (no toll northbound) to the
New Jersey Turnpike. Traffic was light - The weather was cloudy.

When we got up around Exit 4 on the Turnpike it got ugly!
Bumper to Bumper Traffic at a crawl from exit 4 to 9
Paid New Jersey Turnpike toll using EZ-Pass (not sure of cost)

We stayed on I-95 - thru New York - we could barely see the road
Crossed the George Washington Bridge Lower Level $6.00
Zip pass the Toll Plaza using EZ Pass while at least 50 cars sat in line

Took the New York Thruway - $1.25 - Seen a jack knife
Tractor Trailer hit the jersey wall and traffic was at a stand
still going South.

Finally arrived at I-95 CT State Line
Got off in Greenwich and had a Meat Ball Sub at Subway

Greenwich CT looks like a nice town and would like
to go back and spend a day or two there someday
(Huge Commuter Train Station just off I-95)

Traffic started to let up around New Haven and New London
Conn. but the rain keep coming down by the buckets!

Seen a scenic overlook sign just before the Mystic Exit
Passed the exit for Foxwood Casino where a Peter Pan Bus
was heading towards the Casino - We would have loved to
stop especially since it was Saturday Night - but kept going

We hit the The Rhode Island State line and got off on Exit 3
As soon as we made our turn onto RI 138 we found a
McDonalds.. We had a coca cola and rested for awhile and
then back on the road again. The last leg of the trip!

Dark - Wet - Rainy - we pushed on thru on a county road
and then approached the Jamestown - Newport RI areas

We got off second exit before paying toll and went to look
for our resort. We had to stop at FF The Bon Voyage Inn to
pick up our keys (Check In was fast and staff very friendly)

We arrived at The Fairfield Overlook in Jamestown at 10:45 PM
Four Hundred (400) Miles and Twelve (12) Hours on the road

Our Mineral Gray Mustang
Hit 100,000 today!

Hope the trip back home is better


Lesson Learned - Do Not Travel - North/South - On a Holiday Weekend

Thanks for all the suggestions

[Republiman Member Find all posts View Profile Close Republiman]

I know you are already done with the trip North, but I wuld suggest next time that when you are on the NJ turnpike you get off in Woodbridge where the turnpike hits the Garden State Parkway. Take the Parkway North until it hits 287/87, and take that East/South (287 is considered East West, 87 is North South) until it ends and hits 95 just outside of Greenwich, Connecticut.

This will keep you on highways, and avoid NYC without taking you too far afield.

You can easily reverse this route. Take I-95 south through CT. The first exit in NY is exit 21 (I-287 West). Take this exit and cross the Hudson river at the Tappan Zee bridge. Get off at Exist 13(A?) Garden State Parkway heading south. Garden State intersects with NJ Turnpike past most of the urban areas of the Turnpike.

FYI, you will crawl through CT on a Friday in summer if you are not part New Haven by 1pm.

Fred

BTW, I live in Greenwich. It is a great town!

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Our Trip Back


September 9, 2006 - Saturday - Bright and Sunny - Temps in High 70`s
We checked out of The Fairfield Newport Overlook around 9:30 AM

We would have loved to had spent more time here at The Overlook

We took Rhode Island - Route 138 West - to Interstate I-95
Stopped at Mc Donalds for a Coca Cola before getting on the Interstate

Then South on I-95 to the exit for Foxwoods. Rt. 2 to Foxwood Casino
The view of the hotel is beautiful - Stopped at Foxwood to look around
After our short visit we turned Left and took 2A to Monhegan Sun Casino
The exterior casino/hotel is made up of a series of silver & glass buildings
Once inside we found the Monhegan Sun to be too large to see in just
a short visit. We walked around and took a few photos of the exhibits

We then took I-395 (stopped for gas) back to I-95 South through CT
We crossed the Conn. State Line and took The first exit in NY (I-287 West)
We went across the Hudson River at the Tappan Zee Bridge (No Toll West)
Got off on 9 W and drove down along the River and continued South onto
The Palisades Interstate Parkway (No Toll) until we exited at a small town
near the West side of the GW Bridge. We seen a KFC/Taco Bell on left and
stopped for Chicken - Mashed Potatoes - Baked Beans - Cole Slaw - Soda

The KFC/TB restaurant employees were playing really loud Spanish Music
Too loud to really enjoy yourself or to relax and think after a long drive

Somehow we got back on The NJ Turnpike and Interstate 95 (EZ Pass)
and could see New York City on the Left & Newark Airport on the Right

It was about 5 PM as we passed the NY/NJ area &
traffic south was moving along pretty good all day

NJ Turnpike & I-95 - (North/South) - EZ Pass - Vehicle Cost $6.45 each way

We crossed the Delaware Memorial Bridge (South Bound EZ-Pass Toll $3.00)
Continued South Bound via Delaware I-95 (South Bound EZ-Pass Toll $3.00)

I-95 South Bound - All the way down to Baltimore County Maryland
I-695 East across the Francis Scott Key Bridge (EZ-Pass Toll $2.00)
As you cross the Key Bridge - You can see the Baltimore City Skyline

We rolled into our Neighborhood Grocery Store at 8 PM
The drive back took 10 and a half hours including stops
and a couple of short visits to both of the CT Casinos!

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Our Trip Back

Our Trip Home was much better - easier - faster
Thanks to Everyone`s - Advice and Suggestions

It sure feels good to be back

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

EZ Pass Tolls - Round Trip - $29.53

Our Trip to Rhode Island and Back
Using - EZ Pass Tolls- Round Trip

Cost - $30.65 - $1.12 = $29.53
EZ Pass Discount - GW $1.00 & NY Thruway $ .12)

What discounts does the Port Authority's E-ZPass offer?

Port Authority E-ZPass Discounts:

Peak hours:
6-9 a.m., 4-7 p.m.
Sat.& Sun.: 12 noon-8 p.m. - $5.00
($1.00 discount off cash toll)

Off Peak Hours:
All other times, including holidays:
New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day - $4.00
(2.00 discount off cash toll)

*Port Authority Carpool Plan
(Available all hours)
Toll rate is $1.00 and is available to all E-ZPass customers
who subscribe to the Port Authority Carpool Plan.
The plan requires that there are three or more people
in a vehicle with non-commercial plates.

Customers must use staffed "Cash-EZPass" lane and come to a complete stop
so that the toll collector can verify the number of occupants in the vehicle.