We're towing a 38 ft FW from Chapel HIll NC to Cape Cod. Staying in Clarksboro NJ one night, then next night in Clinton, CT. Not looking forward to I-95 traffic in the NYC-Newark metro area. Do folks with experience driving in that area recommend taking I-287 from I-95 (near Edison) and going out around the metro area to take the Tappan Zee bridge? Is the extra distance/time worth it? Thanks!
The only thing wrong with NY is the tolls. If going west or comming from the west I like the Tappan Zee but if your in NJ on 95 already I would not go around just to miss the city. It is sometimes slow but still takes less time, it's an interstate, take your time and have fun.
Personaly I would take the I-81 North up to Pa. then pick up I-84 to the Mass Thruway, stay on the to I 495 righ on out to the Cape. It might be about 85 miles longer, but there will be only two tolls, In Newburg - the bridge and on the Mass Pike. You'll by pass all the Washington-Marryland-New Jersy know as the I95 Corridor. JM2Cents Bill
Imho you will burn more in fuel than you will spend on tolls. The GW bridge/Cross Bronx expwy can be a slow ride I have been in traffic on that road at 3am but it is also a short road no more than 10 miles long. Time your trip late at night (after 7pm} or mid day {10am - 2pm} and you will be fine. This is a heavy truck route take your time. Every time I leave Long Island this is the way we go. Happy camping
Polishnurse wrote: Personaly I would take the I-81 North up to Pa. then pick up I-84 to the Mass Thruway, stay on the to I 495 righ on out to the Cape. It might be about 85 miles longer, but there will be only two tolls, In Newburg - the bridge and on the Mass Pike. You'll by pass all the Washington-Marryland-New Jersy know as the I95 Corridor. JM2Cents Bill
You say 85 miles longer but when you get to the Cape it will 150 miles to far to the east of where the OP is going.
Clinton is only 80 miles from the Tappan Zee bridge.
johnnymike wrote: We're towing a 38 ft FW from Chapel HIll NC to Cape Cod. Staying in Clarksboro NJ one night, then next night in Clinton, CT. Not looking forward to I-95 traffic in the NYC-Newark metro area. Do folks with experience driving in that area recommend taking I-287 from I-95 (near Edison) and going out around the metro area to take the Tappan Zee bridge? Is the extra distance/time worth it? Thanks!
Living on Long Island, leaving it can be quite a chore...
If possible, plan your trip thru NY during "off peak" hours...
Night time? weekend?
This area does open up around mid-day, (if you can come through between 11am and 2pm you will encounter minimum traffic...
Between 8am-11am and 4pm-7pm are "stay away hours"
I95 north over the GW bridge is the shortest route...
Thanks to all who commented (so far). Yes, I plan on coming through the NYC area mid-day and I also thought about just hanging in the next to right-most lane on I-95 and letting the cars go by, as a lot of truckers do. We try not to drive more than 250 miles a day, so even with the I-287 "detour" the next stop (Clinton, CT) would be within our mileage limit. But if there's not much to be gained by going out of our way, then it sounds like I might as well go with the standard (quickest) route that my GPS says to take. Always like to get a cross-section of opinions. Never trust the GPS alone!
Polishnurse wrote: Personaly I would take the I-81 North up to Pa. then pick up I-84 to the Mass Thruway, stay on the to I 495 righ on out to the Cape. It might be about 85 miles longer, but there will be only two tolls, In Newburg - the bridge and on the Mass Pike. You'll by pass all the Washington-Marryland-New Jersy know as the I95 Corridor. JM2Cents Bill
x2. I always have this fear about being on the Cross Bronx Expressway at zero dark thirty, sitting in the broken down RV while the punks have it jacked up and are removing the tires from under me. Actually haven't done that trip in years, but I suspect nothing has changed.
2002 Keystone Cougar 286, 8,400lbs loaded, pulled with a 2004 F150 Supercrew, 5.4, 3.73 gears. Retired and enjoying life
IMHO, 95 through NYC and the GWB is a lot like going to a casino. You might win once in awhile, but the odds are stacked against you. As has been stated, you might breeze through, but it very well could take you more time than it would to go north to the Tappan Zee. Don't know about you, but I don't like lots of stop and go in my RV and that is what you are likely get for a stretch before, through, and after NYC.
Good luck and travel safe.
Offline
(1)(1).JPG)
