Driving from Connecticut, NJ=PIA

[miles1]

We're planning on driving to the World next month from our home in Connecticut (yes, we're crazy). We just returned from a college road trip to Philadelphia, which for us involves driving through or around New York City and down the New Jersey Turnpike (I95) or the Garden State Parkway.

No offense to New Jersey readers, but I always find driving through New Jersey to be brutal. Today the 3 hour drive from Philly wound up taking 4 1/2 hours because of the traffic on the turnpike. The Garden State wasn't much better; we probably averaged 50 mph.

So, I was wondering if anyone had driven to WDW from New England by I-84, crossing over to I-81 and hooking up with I-95 in Maryland. According to Mapquest, this route takes an extra hour to WDW. Is it worth it?

 

[tigsmom]

We're planning on driving to the World next month from our home in Connecticut (yes, we're crazy). We just returned from a college road trip to Philadelphia, which for us involves driving through or around New York City and down the New Jersey Turnpike (I95) or the Garden State Parkway.

No offense to New Jersey readers, but I always find driving through New Jersey to be brutal. Today the 3 hour drive from Philly wound up taking 4 1/2 hours because of the traffic on the turnpike. The Garden State wasn't much better; we probably averaged 50 mph.

So, I was wondering if anyone had driven to WDW from New England by I-84, crossing over to I-81 and hooking up with I-95 in Maryland. According to Mapquest, this route takes an extra hour to WDW. Is it worth it?

We're in NY (about 45 miles north of NYC) and we do the I87 to I287 to the NJ Turnpike to 95 when we drive down. My brother always takes 84 to 81 because he lives closer to 84 and he only goes to Virginia. He has told us numerous times that the drive is much better and less monotonous and there is not as much traffic...we may try it next time we head down, but it adds on more time for us because we have to go about 30 miles out of our way to hit 84.

 

[miles1]

We're in NY (about 45 miles north of NYC) and we do the I87 to I287 to the NJ Turnpike to 95 when we drive down. My brother always takes 84 to 81 because he lives closer to 84 and he only goes to Virginia. He has told us numerous times that the drive is much better and less monotonous and there is not as much traffic...we may try it next time we head down, but it adds on more time for us because we have to go about 30 miles out of our way to hit 84.

Thanks. We're probably 2 minutes from 84 westbound entrance and I visit the Scranton area a lot to see family, so getting to 81 seems to take no time for us. (Not to mention that New York and Pennsylvania State Police seem to forget that the road exists ).

 

[Nemo14]

We've done both (from RI), and the I-81 is a much prettier way and avoids not only the NY and NJ mess, but also the Washington DC traffic too. In the summer it's our route of choice.

 

[mickeysshoes]

We live in Woodbridge, VA and when visit my cousin in Pittsfield, MA thats the way we go. Its much better drive than 95 and dont forget it will be cheaper toll wise so that will help make up for the extra time and gas. I cant tell you how but I know some folks keep right on 84 and dont hit 95 till much further south than Maryland or Virgina. Might to worth looking into so you can avoid the traffic and mess on the NO VA /Richmond part of 95..:shrug: good luck with your drive.

 

[tigsmom]

We live in Woodbridge, VA and when visit my cousin in Pittsfield, MA thats the way we go. Its much better drive than 95 and dont forget it will be cheaper toll wise so that will help make up for the extra time and gas. I cant tell you how but I know some folks keep right on 84 and dont hit 95 till much further south than Maryland or Virgina. Might to worth looking into so you can avoid the traffic and mess on the NO VA /Richmond part of 95..:shrug: good luck with your drive.

That is where we usually stop (my niece lives in Lakeridge) for the night (we usually leave late in the afternoon when school gets out)...nice area. :wave:

 

[mickeysshoes]

That is where we usually stop (my niece lives in Lakeridge) for the night (we usually leave late in the afternoon when school gets out)...nice area. :wave:

I drive thru Lake Ridge to and from work!!! :wave:

 

[njDizFan]

No offense taken, I'm from NJ and I know what it's like trying to traverse our highways. Unfortunately in the summer you are pretty much going to have these issues every weekend no matter where you are going. People from Philly area trying to get to Atlantic City and Long Beach Island and from NY and the North, people trying to get to the Jersey shore.

The only option is during the week and early in the morning. Otherwise Turnpike and Parkway are going to be insane.

 

[ArtieJim]

Driving in NJ is a huge pain in the butt and we're all jerks on the road too. I think it all depends on the time of day you hit the roads in NJ and what road you're taking (95/the turnpike, I'd imagine), once you get down past Rutgers it seems to open up a bit, but that is a long way from the GWB down to exit 9 or wherever it is.

 

[righttrack]

The 95 corridor, through Connecticut, NY, NJ is extremely fast, if you take it very early. A 4:30am departure would have you driving through NJ as fast as you could drive, yielding smooth sailing until you hit a little DE traffic after the bridge. A little bit in Baltimore, and DC should be calmed down by the time you reached it. Leaving later, is just painful, IMO.

No, I wouldn't try the 84-81, but that's just me.