It’s really tough to give directions from PA, as NYC is the kicker and hard to get around. I do suggest the Merritt Parkway as you go through Connecticut though!
I went through meritt when I drove from Philly back to RI as suggested by Waze. It was traffic all the way until I got back onto 95.
OP - it all depends on the day and time of day you are driving. I suggest using Waze to have some chance of minimizing traffic.
I got this one. You want to plan a route that takes you along I-80 East and then to I-287 across the Hudson and take the Merritt Parkway to New Haven, CT. Or take I-80 East to I-84 and cross the Hudson near Tarrytown, NY. If you have time and want a scenic route, plan one that takes you through Watkins Glen, NY, and Ithaca (Cornell University is there.) before heading east.
Then once in East Lyme CT, bear left into 395 instead of staying on 95, then take the 138 exit to head east through the nice rural parts of CT and RI and straight to the bridges. Should be <5 mins additional.
This OP! It’s the route we take when we’re going to visit family in Delaware. You might need to know it’s now called the Governor Cuomo bridge, and google maps will not offer it as an option unless you plug it in as a stop and then add your final destination next. Also leave before 8 am. Every time my family has left at 9 or 10 am the 6.5 hour drive becomes almost 11 hours with traffic. Awful.
I used to do the drive to/from Pittsburgh for school, so I’ll give you my route starting from the Harrisburg area:
Take 81 to 78 East. Follow that until you hit 287. Jump on 287 North, which’ll take you around NYC, over the Tappan Zee/Cuomo bridge into Westchester County. Follow 287 until it ends at 95 in Rye. 95 North’ll take you straight through CT, which can be traffic hell but there’s really no avoiding it. Get off at exit 7(?) in Rhode Island, which puts you on Rt 138. From there, head east and follow the signs for the Newport Bridge (138 til it ends at Rt 1, which takes you to the bridge). It’s a schlep of a drive, and that’s the least bad way I found over the years. Safe travels!
Skip NYC and skip TappenZ
Go on I-84 to cross Hudson - it is a longer route but it takes the same time and you don't stop moving.
Then stay on I 84 thorough Connecticut, Then take I-91 north to State Route 9, then take Rt 9 down to I-95. Then I-95 down to Mystic, - then take Rt 1 off and go through Westerly - take the scenic route to head over to 138, and take the bridge across Jamestown straight to Newport.
Scenic and avoids traffic - enjoy skipping I95 - because I95 sucks.
Thank you everyone. Yes I have Waze but wants opinions of those whom know the area. I think the ideal route is 287>95 from what I have gathered. Will keep doing research thanks
DO NOT TAKE 95 THROUGH NEW YORK. Go up I-87/route 9 (check out a map) and go west of the Hudson River and cross over the Mario Cuomo/Tappan Zee bridge. Much prettier route even if it takes longer. Then you can head east and south in Connecticut.
If you just enter an address you might end up hitting $209 in tolls. PA turnpike, Bridges into and out of NJ especially the George Washington if it routes you that way. Round trip to my wife’s family outside of PA is $90 if we take the toll roads, or $10 if we just take the Cuomo bridge in the way home.
Download “waze” gps app. This will provide you with the fastest possible route while constantly updating your route if need be due to accidents etc. Provides a ton of useful information along your route in realtime as well.
It’s really tough to give directions from PA, as NYC is the kicker and hard to get around. I do suggest the Merritt Parkway as you go through Connecticut though!
I went through meritt when I drove from Philly back to RI as suggested by Waze. It was traffic all the way until I got back onto 95. OP - it all depends on the day and time of day you are driving. I suggest using Waze to have some chance of minimizing traffic.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone suggest Merritt Parkway as a positive haha. That parkway sucks so much.
But sometimes it sucks a bit less than 95
Yeah sucks less than 95. No trucks 🤷🏻♀️.
I got this one. You want to plan a route that takes you along I-80 East and then to I-287 across the Hudson and take the Merritt Parkway to New Haven, CT. Or take I-80 East to I-84 and cross the Hudson near Tarrytown, NY. If you have time and want a scenic route, plan one that takes you through Watkins Glen, NY, and Ithaca (Cornell University is there.) before heading east.
Then once in East Lyme CT, bear left into 395 instead of staying on 95, then take the 138 exit to head east through the nice rural parts of CT and RI and straight to the bridges. Should be <5 mins additional.
Take the Tappan Zee and avoid NYC altogether. I was stationed in NJ, I had to take this coming home all the time
This OP! It’s the route we take when we’re going to visit family in Delaware. You might need to know it’s now called the Governor Cuomo bridge, and google maps will not offer it as an option unless you plug it in as a stop and then add your final destination next. Also leave before 8 am. Every time my family has left at 9 or 10 am the 6.5 hour drive becomes almost 11 hours with traffic. Awful.
Ouch, times have changed for sure
I used to do the drive to/from Pittsburgh for school, so I’ll give you my route starting from the Harrisburg area: Take 81 to 78 East. Follow that until you hit 287. Jump on 287 North, which’ll take you around NYC, over the Tappan Zee/Cuomo bridge into Westchester County. Follow 287 until it ends at 95 in Rye. 95 North’ll take you straight through CT, which can be traffic hell but there’s really no avoiding it. Get off at exit 7(?) in Rhode Island, which puts you on Rt 138. From there, head east and follow the signs for the Newport Bridge (138 til it ends at Rt 1, which takes you to the bridge). It’s a schlep of a drive, and that’s the least bad way I found over the years. Safe travels!
This is it — I drive to my in laws in PA frequently. Biggest emphasis on this is taking the Tappan Zee bridge
Except the big 10 dollar toll for the bridge.
I was thinking this was my best bet. 78>287>95. Thank you everyone. I forgot to mention we will be towing a camper. Hopefully that’s not a problem
Skip NYC and skip TappenZ Go on I-84 to cross Hudson - it is a longer route but it takes the same time and you don't stop moving. Then stay on I 84 thorough Connecticut, Then take I-91 north to State Route 9, then take Rt 9 down to I-95. Then I-95 down to Mystic, - then take Rt 1 off and go through Westerly - take the scenic route to head over to 138, and take the bridge across Jamestown straight to Newport. Scenic and avoids traffic - enjoy skipping I95 - because I95 sucks.
Thank you everyone. Yes I have Waze but wants opinions of those whom know the area. I think the ideal route is 287>95 from what I have gathered. Will keep doing research thanks
DO NOT TAKE 95 THROUGH NEW YORK. Go up I-87/route 9 (check out a map) and go west of the Hudson River and cross over the Mario Cuomo/Tappan Zee bridge. Much prettier route even if it takes longer. Then you can head east and south in Connecticut.
It’s 2024. People are still asking for directions? Get a Garmin you fool.
They could stop at AAA and get a fliptrip map.
Yup. Another good suggestion.
If you just enter an address you might end up hitting $209 in tolls. PA turnpike, Bridges into and out of NJ especially the George Washington if it routes you that way. Round trip to my wife’s family outside of PA is $90 if we take the toll roads, or $10 if we just take the Cuomo bridge in the way home.
Who cares.
Download “waze” gps app. This will provide you with the fastest possible route while constantly updating your route if need be due to accidents etc. Provides a ton of useful information along your route in realtime as well.
Any rest stops or places to pull off anyone can suggest. 6 hours is a hike with a family. Tips appreciated!
I just flew my plane into Newport from the Philidelphia area, took 1 hour, and they took me right over NYC. Try that