I take it that sticking with the Interstate is the safe vibe from reading your posts
Okay, how about Providence - Boston - Concord - Montpelier - Hartford - Albany - Providence? Time wise, google, yahoo and mapquest doesn't show much of a difference (11 hrs or so).
While this route will require a backtrack on the Hartford - Albany - Providence route, I think this will keep me from taking state routes.
Any advice on this particular route?