We're leaving from Manhattan on Christmas morning to get up to our rented cabin in New Hampshire. The guy we rented the cabin from says to drive straight up I-95, but Mapquest is saying to cut over to I-84 at New Haven, get onto the Mass Pike eastbound and 495 northbound to pick up 95 again north of Boston. Looking at the map, I'm inclined to believe Mapquest on this one--seems like taking 95 straight through Boston would be pretty stupid. Then again, I haven't driven through the city since 1997. What do people suggest?

Mapquest's route is better than the cabin guy, but still not the route I'd suggest.

I'd take 84 to Mass Pike, then 290 to 495 to 95 -- saves a few miles plus some tolls.

Also, from Manhattan, I find it a much more pleasant drive to take the Hutchinson River Parkway to the Merritt & Wilbur Cross Parkways, though that's more a personal preference than an absolute better way.

On Christmas doing the 95 thing through Boston (I assume here you actually mean getting on 93 and not taking 128 around the city) actually won't be that busy. We travel North on Christmas day to NH for family and the drive is always quite quiet.

Having said that, if I were doing this drive I'd do 95 to 91 to 84 to 90 to 495 to 95 to 16.

You have some good advice here, two things - 84 does not go through New Haven so follow m/s advice of 91 to 84 to 90 and then wideman's 290 short cut. As for the Hutchinson/Merritt vs 95, 95 should be pretty quiet on Christmas day, but one never knows about CT construction and jack knifed trailers.

I agree that there'll be no traffic on 95 -- my preference for the Hutch/Merritt is more aesthetics than anything else.

Mapquest's route is better than the cabin guy, but still not the route I'd suggest.

I'd take 84 to Mass Pike, then 290 to 495 to 95 -- saves a few miles plus some tolls.

Also, from Manhattan, I find it a much more pleasant drive to take the Hutchinson River Parkway to the Merritt & Wilbur Cross Parkways, though that's more a personal preference than an absolute better way.

I HATE Toll roads, so I have done what you wrote Except I get off the I-84 by Sturbridge,Mass and take the '20' over to the 395 which becomes the 290 and then follow it as you wrote.
I ditto the Merritt, but this time of year not as nice as when teh clours are changing or the trees are all green. But I like it alot better then the Sterile I-95. sometimes I'll take the I-91 up to the 9 (Keene) and take the Mt roads across NH, better not be in a rush to get anywhere.

Thanks, gang. I will sit down with the map tonight and plot the strategy. Mapquest is saying about 5 hours door to door...does that seem right? The cabin guy says that it's a 2-hour drive from Boston, but I haven't driven NY-Boston in a dog's age so I don't remember how long that part should take.

Thanks, gang. I will sit down with the map tonight and plot the strategy. Mapquest is saying about 5 hours door to door...does that seem right? The cabin guy says that it's a 2-hour drive from Boston, but I haven't driven NY-Boston in a dog's age so I don't remember how long that part should take.

The Boston to Wakefield is about right, 2 hours I'd say.

I think 5 hours is pretty aggressive. I was thinking more like 5:30, but that of course depends on how fast you drive :).

We're leaving from Manhattan on Christmas morning to get up to our rented cabin in New Hampshire. The guy we rented the cabin from says to drive straight up I-95, but Mapquest is saying to cut over to I-84 at New Haven, get onto the Mass Pike eastbound and 495 northbound to pick up 95 again north of Boston. Looking at the map, I'm inclined to believe Mapquest on this one--seems like taking 95 straight through Boston would be pretty stupid. Then again, I haven't driven through the city since 1997. What do people suggest?If Mapquest is telling you to cut over to I-84 in New Haven, you need to stop using Mapquest. :D 91 intersects 95 at New Haven. 84 doesn't go down to New Haven.

That said, 95 should be a breeze on Christmas Day so from NYC take 95 to 91 to 84 East, to the Mass Pike, to 290 East, to 495 North, to 95 North, enter NH on 95, take to Spaulding Turnpike (Route 4 to Route 16) and then follow your local directions.

My husband and I drive to Maine and we follow those directions all of the time and once we get to 95 in MA from 495 we just stay on the interstate up to Portland. So I know most of your route VERY WELL.

Going to Boston is out of your way unless you want to stop in Beantown. I haven't timed the full NH portion of your trip but to drive from midtown Manhattan to the Route 4 split from 95 in NH, it should take you 4-4 1/2 hours. Closer to 4 1/2 if you're concerned about speeding which I am, unfortunately. ;)

I'll weigh in with another vote for the Hutch to the Merritt (which becomes the Wilbur Cross) to 91 to 84 to the Mass Pike to 290 to 495 to 95.

Remember to bring your EZ Pass with you if you've got one, as it will work on the Mass Pike, too.

I'm not too familiar with traffic patterns on Christmas Day from NYC to Hartford, but from Hartford north, you definitely want to take 84 to Massachusetts. I totally agree with Craz and recommend that you take route 20 in Sturbridge to 290 East to avoid the Mass Pike. That's the way I always take to/from CT/NYC. Take 290 East to 495 North. Do not go near Boston, it's out of your way and if there is any chance for traffic on your journey, it will be in Boston. That said, continue north on 495. However, you might consider getting off 495 at route 125 in Haverhill, MA (exit 51B off 495 North). Stay on 125 North until Gonic, NH, then hop on Route 16 North. We used to have a cabin just north of where you're going, so I used to drive this route regularly. If you take 125 instead of going up 95 all the way to the Spalding Turnpike in Portsmouth, NH, you'll shave about 25-30 minutes off your trip. You'll be able to drive at faster speeds on route 95, but 125 is much shorter and more direct so even though the speed limit is a bit lower, you'll be in the car less time. Also, by taking 125 to Route 16 in Gonic, you'll avoid the toll on 95 and another toll on the Spalding Turnpike. Hope you have a great trip.

I'll weigh in with another vote for the Hutch to the Merritt (which becomes the Wilbur Cross)My issue with the Merritt is that it winds around and you have up and down of small hills. On most days, I'd take the Hutch/Merritt because 95 is bad but on Christmas morning, I'd stick with 95. Best thing for the OP to do is to listen to the traffic reports. Then the better decision will be made. ^

Remember to bring your EZ Pass with you if you've got one, as it will work on the Mass Pike, too.It works all the way into NH. ^

I totally agree with Craz and recommend that you take route 20 in Sturbridge to 290 East to avoid the Mass Pike.This route has always interested me especially during summer weekend driving. :D It Route 20 a highway or is it stop/go traffic? How long is the drive on Rt 20?

My issue with the Merritt is that it winds around and you have up and down of small hills. On most days, I'd take the Hutch/Merritt because 95 is bad but on Christmas morning, I'd stick with 95. Best thing for the OP to do is to listen to the traffic reports. Then the better decision will be made. ^ It's obviously a matter of personal preference. Even without traffic, I find the drive on the Merritt to be so much more pleasant than 95.

I HATE Toll roads, so I have done what you wrote Except I get off the I-84 by Sturbridge,Mass and take the '20' over to the 395 which becomes the 290
If I-395 becomes I-290 in Worcester, why not take I-95 to Waterford/New London, then take I-395 (exit #75) from there?:confused: This way, you eliminate all toll roads and having to take route 20 (a major side road IIRC) - it will be all major highways without tolls.

OK, I can see I'm going to have to run out to the car and get the map NOW. I'm lost just reading this thread!

Analise, I do know (and Mapquest knows) to get on 91 before 84; I was just making a verbal shortcut there. I am convinced now by everyone that the cabin guy has no idea what he's talking about. I may not follow the suggestions on taking all the lesser roads, though...this sort of thing tends to drive me nuts if I find myself having to stop at traffic lights during the last few hours of the journey. I am something of a speedster (this is what you happens to you when your S.O. lives 115 miles down I-95) so I like to have as close to Autobahn conditions as possible. I love the Mass Pike :cool:

This route has always interested me especially during summer weekend driving. :D It Route 20 a highway or is it stop/go traffic? How long is the drive on Rt 20?

Route 20 is mostly a four lane undivided highway. From Sturbridge to Charlton to Oxford to Auburn on Rt 20 takes maybe 15 minutes, plus or minus. There are stop lights every couple miles or so (sometimes more) but the traffic moves along at about 50 mph for much of it until you hit Oxford then Auburn where it is more developed, but that moves at a steady clip too. If you are trying to avoid the Auburn or Sturbridge exit on the Pike (depending on which way you are going), it can save you time. Be warned that this stretch of Rt 20 used to be called the death road and it is marked prominently with white crosses marking fairly recent deaths (last 10 years or so) but the state put a lot of money into it and upgraded it over the last few years, but when going 60 around some of the curves while going down a hill simultaneousy, you have to fight the centrifugal force.

OK, I can see I'm going to have to run out to the car and get the map NOW. I'm lost just reading this thread!



Google earth is lots easier, http://earth.google.com/

Route 20 is mostly a four lane undivided highway. From Sturbridge to Charlton to Oxford to Auburn on Rt 20 takes maybe 15 minutes, plus or minus. There are stop lights every couple miles or so (sometimes more) but the traffic moves along at about 50 mph for much of it until you hit Oxford then Auburn where it is more developed, but that moves at a steady clip too. If you are trying to avoid the Auburn or Sturbridge exit on the Pike (depending on which way you are going), it can save you time.When we drove home from Maine after our vacation in mid October, we didn't realize the extent of traffic on the Mass Pike after both the Head of the Charles and some giant pumpkin festival. As soon as we got onto the Mass Pike from 290, it was bumper to bumper all the way to 84...all 10 miles of it. :td: The traffic reports both on XM and WBZ didn't mention a 10 mile backup. :td: :td: So that Route 20 alternative looks VERY ATTRACTIVE.


Be warned that this stretch of Rt 20 used to be called the death road and it is marked prominently with white crosses marking fairly recent deaths (last 10 years or so) but the state put a lot of money into it and upgraded it over the last few years, but when going 60 around some of the curves while going down a hill simultaneousy, you have to fight the centrifugal force.Thanks for the heads up. Is there still construction going on from the state funding or is it complete? Massachusetts road projects don't exactly have my full confidence. ;) Big Dig anyone?

When we drove home from Maine after our vacation in mid October, we didn't realize the extent of traffic on the Mass Pike after both the Head of the Charles and some giant pumpkin festival. As soon as we got onto the Mass Pike from 290, it was bumper to bumper all the way to 84...all 10 miles of it. :td: The traffic reports both on XM and WBZ didn't mention a 10 mile backup. :td: :td: So that Route 20 alternative looks VERY ATTRACTIVE.?Been there, done that. Problem is yo have to make your decision early. Once on the pike, there is no turning back. As I am sure you know, on the Pike, heading toward NY, stay left and there is plenty of room to move over later. One of the things that happens is that the right lane backs up for the Sturbridge exit way back because the signs say NY right Lane so everyone goes right and that causes the middle lane to slow to try to break in and they do it way too early and everyone sits.


Thanks for the heads up. Is there still construction going on from the state funding or is it complete? Massachusetts road projects don't exactly have my full confidence. ;) Big Dig anyone?

Construction is about 99% done. But as you know Mass drivers are pretty aggressive so everyone is driving 60 in a 50 mph zone and there are only some plastic poles in the middle of the road serving as a divider, so you are going 60, the guy 3 feet to your right is going 60 and the cars coming at you are going 60 but at least there is that plastic thingie.

Been there, done that. Problem is yo have to make your decision early. Once on the pike, there is no turning back. As I am sure you know, on the Pike, heading toward NY, stay left and there is plenty of room to move over later. One of the things that happens is that the right lane backs up for the Sturbridge exit way back because the signs say NY right Lane so everyone goes right and that causes the middle lane to slow to try to break in and they do it way too early and everyone sits.And the traffic ended at the 84 exit. :D Thanks for your pointers.

If I-395 becomes I-290 in Worcester, why not take I-95 to Waterford/New London, then take I-395 (exit #75) from there?:confused: This way, you eliminate all toll roads and having to take route 20 (a major side road IIRC) - it will be all major highways without tolls.

had the Merritt/Wilbur Cross not ended at the 91 but at the 395, I would do just that. I dont like the 95 or the endless back-ups that can & do happen, and try to avoid it altogether.

also by going with the 91 its I believe shorter and less of an 'L' (in our case a backwards L) the 91 to the 84 is alot more slanted so it should be shorter.

Having said that the few times that I did drive via New London I got off the 395 @ Exit 83A if I remember and took Route 169 up to Route 44 Putnam and then back over to 395, longer but soooo much nicer.