Driving - DC to Boston

Hello,

What would be the best route to drive from DC to Boston? We would like to possibly avoid main traffic and tolls.

Also, what would be the best way to reach Portland, Maine from DC?

Thanks for the replies!

Driving - DC to Boston

If you%26#39;re a member of AAA, you can free maps of each area, plus they%26#39;ll mark your route.

Meanwhile, here%26#39;s the best bet directions. This DOES include toll roads where it makes sense, since often that%26#39;s the shortest route and your time is much more valuable than the couple of dollars you%26#39;d save on tolls:

Washingon to Boston:

- 295 North

- 95 North into NYC over the George Washington Bridge. Watch for signs for Henry Hudson Parkway North right after the bridge.

- Henry Hudson Parkway North to Saw Mill Parkway North to Hutchinson River Parkway North to Merritt Parkway North in Connecticut to Wilbur Cross Parkway North (This SOUNDS much more difficult than it actually drives. Most you won%26#39;t even know you made the change).

- 91 North towards Hartford

- 84 East via the route 15 Bypass just outside of Hartford, CT.

- 90 East (Mass Pike) in Massachusetts into Boston

Driving - DC to Boston

Hi,

That route has traffic and construction all the time. However, basically Alanm%26#39;s route is what I%26#39;d suggest, with one change. Also, when you are on the NJ turnpike, although it sounds counter-intuitive, when the road splits into the car-only and all-traffic lanes, take the all-traffic lanes. The car-only lanes always seem to have much worse backups than the all-traffic lanes. I think it%26#39;s because so many people in cars decide that they don%26#39;t want to drive with the trucks, and they clog those lanes. Many times, driving in the all-traffic lanes, I%26#39;ve whizzed by miles of backed-up traffic in those car-only lanes.

Here%26#39;s what I usually do. When I get to exit 4 of the NJ Turnpike, I tune in to 880 WCBS AM. That%26#39;s the news station out of NY. Listen for the traffic reports. If they are not reporting problems with the GW bridge inbound, then go that way. ALSO...the GW has two levels, upper and lower. The lower level usually has less traffic problems. However, they usually say in the traffic reports which level is better, so listen closely, as you have to make that decision well before you get to the bridge.

IF the reports say that the GW is bad, take the Garden State Parkway exit off of the Turnpike, and take it north to the end, at I-287 East in Westchester. Follow signs to the Tappan Zee bridge. Take the Tappan Zee, and continue on 287 until you see signs for the Hutchinson Pkwy/Merritt Pky north. Then, continue with Alanm%26#39;s directions above.

Once you are in MA, on I-90 (Mass Pike), take that to I-95 north, and that will take you to Portland.

Thank you very much for the suggestions!

Here%26#39;s how we drive from the DC area to Boston---in PA, take I-81 north until you reach I-84. Take I-84 into MA and pick up the MA turnpike into Boston. It%26#39;s actually more miles than driving down I-95 but far fewer tolls and less congestion. Take a look at a good map to see how to best access I-81 from your exact starting point.