My Route to CT-STOC

[STBNE]

I am wondering what is the best route to CTSTOC from NJ? I have mapped it and I have consulted my road atlas.One way is to go I-95 in southern Conn.to New Haven then up I-91 to Glastonbury.The other route is to take I-87 in NY to I 287 to I-684 to I-84 into Waterbury then continue on I-84 to I-691 and connect up to I-91 up to Glastonbury.The latter route is problably the one I would choose....because I did not like I-95 the last time I drove it abt 15 yrs ago.Is one route safer than the other??? Is there more traffic along the southern route than the more northerly one? Also coming from NJ,I would most likely cross the Hudson River via the GW Bridge.I have been over the Tappanzee coming into Tarrytown NY and that bridge is ready to fall apart! So I would not even consider going over that again until it is totally replaced.I have heard that the Tappanzee is a rusting hulk that is in need of total replacement.That will be the next bridge to collapse into a river.:eek: :eek: ... all thoughts are apreciated.:cool:

[richd]

One way is to go I-95 in southern Conn.to New Haven then up I-91 to Glastonbury.The other route is to take I-87 in NY to I 287 to I-684 to I-84 into Waterbury then continue on I-84 to I-691 and connect up to I-91 up to Glastonbury.The latter route is problably the one I would choose....because I did not like I-95 the last time I drove it abt 15 yrs ago.Is one route safer than the other??? Is there more traffic along the southern route than the more northerly one? Also coming from NJ,I would most likely cross the Hudson River via the GW Bridge.:cool:

Depending on the time of day that you are crossing the GWB, you might want to consider the Henry Hudson Parkway which will turn in to the Saw Mill expressway that ends at I-684 and continue on to 84 from there. I will say this, 84 can be a nightmare around rush hour from where 684 hits it to Hartford. I-691 is a good alternative and again depending on the time, you can go Route 3 to Route 2. I agree with staying away from I-95, but you might want to consider the Merritt parkway (route 15) all the way up to I-91. If you decide to go that way, you can take the Henry Hudson to the Cross County Expressway to the Hutchinson north - it will turn into the Merritt parkway in CT.

[STBNE]

Depending on the time of day that you are crossing the GWB, you might want to consider the Henry Hudson Parkway which will turn in to the Saw Mill expressway that ends at I-684 and continue on to 84 from there. I will say this, 84 can be a nightmare around rush hour from where 684 hits it to Hartford. I-691 is a good alternative and again depending on the time, you can go Route 3 to Route 2. I agree with staying away from I-95, but you might want to consider the Merritt parkway (route 15) all the way up to I-91. If you decide to go that way, you can take the Henry Hudson to the Cross County Expressway to the Hutchinson north - it will turn into the Merritt parkway in CT.

Rich,It looks like I would like to take the GWB to Henry Hudson Pkwy to the Cross County to the Hutchinson pkwy to the Merrit Pkwy to I-91...I might be coming up with SteveST1300 but I am not sure yet depending on what his plans might be....If I come up solitary I would leave on Fri around 10 am.This would put me at the GWB around 11am as I would try to avoid rush hour(s)...coming home will be on a Sunday so that should be less traffic (but not necessarily).According to my road atlas the Merrit Pkwy is a scenic route ...so that is to my liking..is this a 2 lane road??? Thanks for the suggestions...BNE:cool:

[georgeorge]

Rich,It looks like I would like to take the GWB to Henry Hudson Pkwy to the Cross County to the Hutchinson pkwy to the Merrit Pkwy to I-91...I might be coming up with SteveST1300 but I am not sure yet depending on what his plans might be....If I come up solitary I would leave on Fri around 10 am.This would put me at the GWB around 11am as I would try to avoid rush hour(s)...coming home will be on a Sunday so that should be less traffic (but not necessarily).According to my road atlas the Merrit Pkwy is a scenic route ...so that is to my liking..is this a 2 lane road??? Thanks for the suggestions...BNE:cool:

No the Merritt parkway is not a 2 lane, it's a 4 lane divided highway and a very nice one at that. That would be my first choice to get here. It will dump you right onto I-91 North and then just on Rt. 3 to cross the CT river and into glastonbury and then in glastonbury you'll wanna pick up Rt. 2 East. Get off at exit 13 (Rt. 66) and take a left. Go about 5 miles to Rt. 85 and take a right. Then about 2 miles and take a left onto Rt. 207. Then our road (Leonard Bridge Rd.) will be a left off 207 in about 2.5 miles. And we're about 3/4 miles up the road.
We will however be doing breakfast prolly in Danbury at the Blue Colony Diner on Rt. 84 off exit 10. So, maybe your route coming over the TappanZee would be a better choice if you would like to do breakfast with the rest of the gang.

[Bones]

Check with SteveST1300...he's an NJ dude and CT-STOC veteran who can offer good insight into routes to New England.

[STBNE]

Brian,
Breakfast on Fri am?? If so I wouldn't be leaving until 10 a.m. so that would be kinda late....if you read my post ....I stated that the Tappanzee is not an option for me...I hate that bridge!It is a disaster just waiting to happen..also have a phobia abt bridges so fuggggedaboutit..LOL.But I like the Merrit Pkwy and as suggested by Rich ...that would be the way for me...Thanks for the invite...If I dont come up Thurs nite with SteveST1300 then I wont arrive at the campgrnd until at least 2p.m. on Fri....if I come up on thurs eve I will stay 1 nite at the Hop River motel and could be avialable for a Fri RTE breakfast run.Steve has yet to make final plans..but it just occurred to me that I could come up Thurs earlier in the day...I might just do this I will let you know...I would think traffic would be better on a Thurs than a Fri..at any rate I am looking forward to this event and meeting everyone:) :cool:

[STBNE]

Check with SteveST1300...he's an NJ dude and CT-STOC veteran who can offer good insight into routes to New England.

Thanks Bones... I have already communicated to him abt the possibility of us ridin up together...he has yet to finalize his plans so in the event i am coming up solo I wanted to know the best routes so I can have a plan:cool: I think I have the best route already:D Wish uld make NNESTOC but I have prior committments here:(

[richd]

If you decide that The Henry Hudsun is the way you wan to go, take the lower level of the GWB and stay in the left lanes - there will be an exit at the end of the bridge. Watch the turns coming off the bridge as there is a lot of merges that happen in a short distance.

[STBNE]

If you decide that The Henry Hudsun is the way you wan to go, take the lower level of the GWB and stay in the left lanes - there will be an exit at the end of the bridge. Watch the turns coming off the bridge as there is a lot of merges that happen in a short distance.

Yes Rich... I believe there are signs directing which level to take for the Henry Hudson but Thanks for reminding me.With any luck the time of day that I come across the GWB will be relatively free of rush hour traffic.I am getting psyched for this.:D :hotpepper