Best way to York from New England

Isn't there an interstate that goes west from Hartford that connects with the Tappan Zee?  You could take the Tappan Zee, Garden State Parkway, NJ Turnpike to PA TP connection, to Harrisburg, and down 83 to York.

 

It's been so many decades since I've traveled those roads I won't hazard a guess as to what's best.

Gary, The best way for you to go to York is just like you said. 84 to Scranton. 81 to Harrisburg, and 83 to York. it's about 35 miles further that way, but if you hit traffic the other way it could be a lot longer in time. I have gone every way possible over the last 60 years.

Personally I avoid large metropolitan areas even if it takes a little longer. Also GPS assumes running the speed limit with no delays. Your old route would have minimal traffic. An Alternative would be to take 87 south after crossing the Hudson to 287 to 78. Then you have to deal with tolls. Your old route would have minimal tolls.

 

Pete

Hi SUPERWARP,

   I live about an hour north of YORK.   When my WIFE and I go up to Maine each year we go up I 81 to I84 and stay in Sturbridge Ma. for the night.  Easy and enjoyable trip, stay the night at the Publick House before going to Maine.  I didn't want to fight traffic going up I-95 that's why we travel that route.  Little more time but worth it. Hope you have a wonderful YORK trip.

Stick to your old route.  Avoid the NY Metro area.  GPS is for people who can't read a map,and are too lazy to think for themselves. ( Here come the flaming arrows.)

 

Richie

I'll echo the sentiments to steer clear of I95 and the NYC metro area.  We drive from the Phila Area to Boston frequently, and we never consider I95.  All the mapping programs and the GPS want to take you that way, but it's almost never a good idea!

 

 

we live here and don't take 95. From where you are 84 to 81 is the way to go...scenic and a spirited drive.

 

rat

We travel frequently from DC to NY.  The others here are not wrong, but if you want to go the most direct route, you can go through the NYC area if (and only if) you want to leave very early.  If you can get into and out of the NYC area before 6:30am (I try to clear it by 6am), you will likely have minimal delay.  The earlier you go, the less the chance of delay.

 

Other routes are also fine but the reality I have experienced is that you can also run into traffic on these alternates -- construction, odd accidents, etc.  -- and then you have gone out of your way to boot.  The best way to avoid such things in general is to drive early and take the most direct route.  Also, if there is rain in the forecast for the day of the drive then I would plan to drive a different day.  Driving in the rain interstate is a guaranteed disaster from my experience.  HTH.

Stay away from NYC and GWB. Use the Tap.  Thats the way I go when I go anyplace up north from NJ.  just my opinion. Enjoy your trip. Steve.

Depending from where in New England  I 84 downtown Hartford,CT,  usually by-passed by I 91 south, to I 691  to I 84. 

 

Just to tweak the interstate routing.  I 81 south from Scranton is restricted to 50 MPH for considerable distance, and is usually somewhat congested, or under construction.  You may do well using I 380 from I 84 as an alternate route to I 80 and then I 81 south.  

 

Also note that the I 84 to I 81 South, Scranton,PA., quickly, and easily accesses Steamtown, National Historic site.

 

One of my favorite get lost trips is US RT 11 along the Susquehanna River to Harrisburg.  Northumberland, PA., Weaver Models, can be accessed from this trip route.   Beautiful Pennsylvania farmland, along one of the great rivers, IMO.

 

Harrisburg, Rt 322 and the PA turnpike, I 76, should get you back to I 81 south.  The section of I 81 south from Harrisburg to York, is always busy and congested. 

 

Enjoy your trip. 

Mike CT 

 

 

You guys are stating what I've been thinking,  I'll continue the old way.  If I feel adventures Saturday on the way back I can try I-95

Hi Gary,

 

I regularly take I-91 to I-84 to I-684 to I 287 to the Tappen Zee Bridge and I-287 to I-78to Easton PA. Not a bad route, but the Scranton Route is much better.

 

In no case try the George Washington Bridge. You can get delayed there at any time of the day or night.

 

Have a fun trip.

As i said I have made that trip over 300 or more times. I'll tell you another way, but don't try it if you never have. at Hartford take 91 to New Haven, then 95 a few miles to the Wilber Cross Pkwy, that turns into the Merit Pkwy which then turns into the cross county Pky. from there it turns into the saw Mill R. Pky, and that turns into the Henry Hudson Pkwy which takes you to the GW bridge. Then the Jersey Turnpike to the Penn tpke to  rte 222 to rte 30. Total dist from Portland 498 miles.

  Going 84 81 83 is 540 miles. I know all those routes because I used to live in Westchester County & NY city. 

Keep in mind on your trip from New England to Pennsylvania somewhere you have to cross the Hudson River, which is an estuary.  As far north as Poughkeepsie, NY,  the Hudson river, due to tides, flows backwards at times.  I 84 bridge is the Newburgh-Beacon bridge, toll east bound.  Some say the headwaters of the Hudson have never been found. 

 

There is a railroad bridge/walkway over the Hudson, old New Haven Railroad Bridge, New York State Park, that can be accessed, from Poughkeepsie, or Hide Park.  We spent 26 million on this project, it's worth the extra miles. IMO. 

 

Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, all, accept EZ Pass toll collection.  Welcome to the eastern United States.  

 

Trip from Western PA to Boston takes 12 to 13 hours. 

Most notable, last trip, was that I 80 truck traffic seemed to approach a solid train.  Night time, there are even more trucks.    

Stay away from the George Washington Bridge!!

 

That bridge has had the potential for major delays even as far back as George Washington's time.

 

I-84 and the Newburgh-Beacon bridge is the best choice.

Eddie,

I lived and was raised in Dobbs Ferry. Where did you live in Westchester?

Bob, my roots are New Rochelle.

Do Not, repeat DO NOT, take I-95 through New York City.

 

The section known as the Cross-Bronx Expressway was voted worst highway in America by a truck drivers association.  There is so much heavy truck traffic that grooves have been worn in the pavement.  When you try to change lanes you can go airborne!

 

From Hartford, the shortest route I would recommend is I-84 west, I-684/Saw Mill Pkwy/I-287 to Tappan Zee Bridge, I-287 south to I-78 West, US 222 south via Reading, US 30 west to York. (The route starting 78 west is the one I take from NJ.) 

  

Problems:  Expect a very rough ride on 684.  Saw Mill is narrow and winding. US 222 north of Reading is two lane with a few traffic lights. Enjoy the Kutztown bypass!

 

-OLDGUYFROMNJ

I agree.  Avoid I 95 thru NYC.

 

Train - Northeast Regional – 141

Depart Hartford, CT 6:35 AM

Arrive Philadelphia, PA 30^th Street Station 11:00 AM

 

Train - Pennsylvanian - 43 

Depart Philadelphia 12:42 PM

Arrive Harrisburg, PA 2:26 PM

 

Walk to Market & 5^TH

 

Bus to York, PA

Depart Harrisburg 3:32 PM

Arrive York, PA 4:51 PM