RE: Getting Around NY City

[BaysideBruce]

 
We are going to Maine this year and I am trying to find the best (quickest and easiest) route to get around New York City.  I am coming from the Baltimore area and will be pulling our PU.  Any suggestions??
 
 Thanks!

[tlhdoc]

 BaysideBruce
We live in central PA and have towed our PU to Maine several times.  You can take 83 N to the Harrisburg PA area, and then get on  81 N to the Scranton PA area, then get on 84 N and take it all the way to Mass.  You will be on good roads all the way and you will avoid NY City.[]

[whitestar505]

 BaysideBruce
I am with you on this item. I have lived in and around New York city all my life and I am still looking for that around path/route. Most of the time I go to Binghamton and take interstate 88 to Albany and go south to pickup interstate 90 across Mass.to 95. The trip through PA and interstate 88 is very nice compared to around NYC. I know this seems out of the way but the trip is much nicer.
 
 I any case, Good Luck. I will be watching the posts for so better ideas.

[Ernhrts3n8]

 BaysideBruce
When we come back from Dover, DE for the races we go 95 North, to the Garden State to I-287 to I-684 to I-84.  We tow the campers this way all the time.  Much easier than going through NY.  Good luck.  If you need more information just email me and I will go into more detail.

[rednekrubbrduck]

 BaysideBruce
Only other alternative route I can offer is take 81N to Syracuse NY...go east on the thruway to Albany (this will take you thru the Cherry Valley portion of Upstate NY with has some stunning views), then north again like the others have said.  May be a little longer..but another option.  When I was working in NYC, and DC back in 01, it seemed like the section of highway between NYC and Albany was all bumper to bumper traffic (have kin in both Troy...and Syracuse).  Another thing I learned was to NEVER drive a full size pick up in Queens..it was parked at the hotel when I was working (took subway from job to job), but coming and going was a free-for-all it seemed.  No wrecks..but as soon as I was out of the city..had to pull over at a rest stop to calm my nerves a bit.  Found a new found respect for the big rig drivers that have to venture into the city.  Good Luck.

[AustinBoston]

 tlhdoc

ORIGINAL:  tlhdoc
 
 We live in central PA and have towed our PU to Maine several times.  You can take 83 N to the Harrisburg PA area, and then get on  81 N to the Scranton PA area, then get on 84 N and take it all the way to Mass.  You will be on good roads all the way and you will avoid NY City.[]
 

 After having actually looked at a map, this is what I would vote for.  I m not familiar with I-83, but we have used I-81 to scranton & I-84, then the Mass Pike (I-90).  In Mass, Take I-495 to I-95 and Maine...unless the northern part of I-495 is under construction.  (I-495 south of the Mass. Turnpike is a mess right now).  Much of I-81 and I-84 in PA can be quite hilly and winding for an interstate.  I-84 goes through Hartford and can be congested at times.
 
 The route across the Tappan Zee bridge (I-287) is generally much better than trying to go through the city, but if you hit it at the wrong time, you ll think you re on I-95 in the heart of the city.
 
 All of the other suggestions (so far) will add hundreds of miles over the route tlhdoc suggested.
 
 Austin

[whitestar505]

 AustinBoston

but coming and going was a free-for-all it seemed. No wrecks..but as soon as I was out of the city..had to pull over at a rest stop to calm my nerves a bit.

    What is a 100 miles ?

[SuZone]

 BaysideBruce
Here s one more opinion![] Go north on I83 north to I81 all the way into New York State, then take I88 north to Albany, joining with I90 East, the whole way over to I495 North to Maine!  
 Hope you have a great trip![]

[Gone-Camping]

 BaysideBruce
As one that goes up there from Virginia, I ll throw in my 2 cents worth...
 
 Just go on up I-95, once in NJ I usually stick with the NJ Turnpike as it just easier, though more costly way to do it. About 2/3 the way up, you ll have an exit for the Garden State Parkway, take that, and head north on it. You ll have 4 toll booths wanting you to toss in a couple of quarters each time, but once you cross over into NY, that ll be on tolls for a while.
 
 Garden State ends at I-287, at this point you have 2 choices. You can go west/north and take I-287 to I-84, or you can go east/south on I-287 and follow it to I-684 north, take that to Brewster and pick up I-84 from there.
 
 I m not sure how far I-81 is from Baltimore, but if it s close at all, just use that instead, I-81 runs into I-84, then from there it s straight through NY and Conn and ends at the Mass Pike...
 
 Good luck, and when you re going through the Biddeford Maine area and see a beat up old Volvo passing you at about 75mph, it ll probably be my younger brother, give him a wide berth!

[whitestar505]

 SuZone
SuZone,
 
   I guess you did not read my message.[]

[whitestar505]

 BaysideBruce
Hey BaysideBruce,
 
   Unless you fly, jump from a plane, or dream your drive away, it looks like you just about have it all. All of these I have considered myself at one time or another.[8D]

[BaysideBruce]

 BaysideBruce
Thanks for all the suggestions and directions.  I knew I could count on you people to tell me what your opinions are.  Now all I have to do is figure out which one may work the best for me.... as if there is only one " right"  answer.  Again, thanks for all the replies.  You have come up some very helpful suggestions.
 
 BaysideBruce

[SuZone]

 BaysideBruce
Actually Whitestar, I did read your reply, and thldoc s reply,too!.  Both of you had similiar routes, but I did add I83 & I495 to mine[].  This really is the long way to go, but it definitely should be the " less stressful"  route, although the stress level does pick up once you get close to I494, just outside of Boston!  There have been times, where I have come to a complete standstill on that interstate!  I make sure I bring a lot of CD s to pass the time![]

[whitestar505]

 SuZone
OK, No Problem... Being from the DC area, what s a little wait in line, right BaysideBruce...[]