Driving: JFK to Providence, return
Aug 10, 2018, 11:19 pm
#1
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Driving: JFK to Providence, return
Not too sure to post here or in NYC thread. Mod, please move if deems necessary. Thanks.Tuesday noon time driving from Hertz Rent Car JFK to downtown Providence, RI. I am not in a hurry. Please advise of best routes and traffic congestion to watch out for (I prefer country road with small town stops). From a 9 years old thread, I noted a couple of eating places in CT: Lenny & Joe’s, and Lobster Landing. Are they still around (map says so). Any other other recommendations, how about in RI?On the return from Providence to JFK, I have to catch a flight at 8:00PM on Friday. I am concerned about city traffic. Welcome recommendation for early dinner somewhere along the way (seafood please!). How much time should I allow for the drive, and what possible traffic jams should I expect on Friday evening?Thank you for your advice and suggestions.
Aug 11, 2018, 5:49 am
#2
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Noon is a good time to go. You aren't going thru Manhattan anyway, so no worries about city traffic.
Google Maps says fastest route to downtown Providence is 3 hours, which is I-95 all the way. If you want to stop to eat, those two places are fine, but you will be there more for lunch than for dinner.
If you want a more leisurely drive, Route 1 parallels I-95 and is very pretty in some parts, and very commercial in others, with tons of stop lights and town centers, etc. You will see beaches on that route, as well.
Heading back to JFK you will hit traffic on a Friday for sure
Google Maps says fastest route to downtown Providence is 3 hours, which is I-95 all the way. If you want to stop to eat, those two places are fine, but you will be there more for lunch than for dinner.
If you want a more leisurely drive, Route 1 parallels I-95 and is very pretty in some parts, and very commercial in others, with tons of stop lights and town centers, etc. You will see beaches on that route, as well.
Heading back to JFK you will hit traffic on a Friday for sure
Aug 11, 2018, 1:59 pm
#3
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Noon is a good time to go. You aren't going thru Manhattan anyway, so no worries about city traffic.
Google Maps says fastest route to downtown Providence is 3 hours, which is I-95 all the way. If you want to stop to eat, those two places are fine, but you will be there more for lunch than for dinner.
If you want a more leisurely drive, Route 1 parallels I-95 and is very pretty in some parts, and very commercial in others, with tons of stop lights and town centers, etc. You will see beaches on that route, as well.
Heading back to JFK you will hit traffic on a Friday for sure
Google Maps says fastest route to downtown Providence is 3 hours, which is I-95 all the way. If you want to stop to eat, those two places are fine, but you will be there more for lunch than for dinner.
If you want a more leisurely drive, Route 1 parallels I-95 and is very pretty in some parts, and very commercial in others, with tons of stop lights and town centers, etc. You will see beaches on that route, as well.
Heading back to JFK you will hit traffic on a Friday for sure
Any place for dinner that you & others might recommend?
About Friday traffic (toward JFK), how should I budget driving time, 3 hours or 5 hours?
Aug 11, 2018, 10:53 pm
#4
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Lenny & Joe's is a good option for lunch. You'll get there in about 90 minutes from JFK if you stay on I-95, and it's an easy hop off and back onto the highway.
Aug 12, 2018, 11:46 pm
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Aug 12, 2018, 11:51 pm
#8
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I did a quick look at AMTRAK, but then how do I manage NYC to JFK bit? I do have one luggage on roller & 1 backpack.
Aug 13, 2018, 12:16 am
#9
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No, I have not thought of taking the train. I thought the logistics would be a nightmare. That said, I love train travel. Could you please let me know the logistic and time involved.
I did a quick look at AMTRAK, but then how do I manage NYC to JFK bit? I do have one luggage on roller & 1 backpack.
I did a quick look at AMTRAK, but then how do I manage NYC to JFK bit? I do have one luggage on roller & 1 backpack.
You take the AirTrain (the same train you’d take to get to the car rental facility) to Jamaica Station (about a 10-minute ride; note that there are two trains, one to Jamaica Station and one to Howard Beach, so listen for the announcements to make sure you board the correct train). At Jamaica Station you will need to pay $5 to exit the facility. If you plan to do the same trip in reverse, buy a $10 metrocard from the machine and save the card for your return.
At Jamaica Station, follow the signs to LIRR (Long Island Railroad). After going through the glass doors to the mezzanine level above the tracks, use a ticket machine to purchase an off-peak ticket to Penn Station. (Again you can purchase a round-trip ticket if doing the same trip in reverse on your return). Most times of the day, trains run every 10 to 15 minutes to Penn Station. The trains to Penn Station depart from Track 1.
Once at Penn Station, follow the sign to Amtrak to connect to your train to Providence. On the Amtrak departure level you will find monitors where track numbers are posted, generally about 10 minutes prior to a train’s departure.
There are two types of trains that operate to Providence: the Northeast Regional trains and the more expensive Acela Express. The Acela is a newer and nicer train, makes fewer stops, and gets to Providence about 15-20 minutes faster, but is also more expensive. In either case, be sure to sit on the right side of the train for the best views (and on the left on your return).
Aug 13, 2018, 11:31 am
#10
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If you are driving I would recommend getting off I-95 and driving through Mystic CT which isn't much of a diversion. It is a cool little village with lots of eating options. Ford's Lobster in Noank (down the road from Mystic) is a no-frills Seafood joint right on the water.
The train is well worth considering too since it removes the worry over traffic, especially on your return trip to JFK.
The train is well worth considering too since it removes the worry over traffic, especially on your return trip to JFK.
Aug 13, 2018, 11:59 am
#11
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The train is the way to go especially returning to JFK for a Friday evening flight. As Blumie described, it's easy getting to Amtrak at Penn and it's a pretty ride. On the way to JFK from Penn, most LIRR trains go to Jamaica. Just look at the board.
Aug 13, 2018, 12:38 pm
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Although it will likely be more expensive, I would consider doing a one-way car rental from JFK to downtown Providence -- or New London, New Haven, etc. -- dropping the car off on Friday, and then taking Amtrak and the LIRR to get back to JFK.
The OP also needs to consider how he will pay for tolls on the route: either cash if he only uses facilities that still accept cash, or the rental company's transponder, which incurs a daily fee.
The OP also needs to consider how he will pay for tolls on the route: either cash if he only uses facilities that still accept cash, or the rental company's transponder, which incurs a daily fee.
Aug 14, 2018, 12:13 am
#13
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The logistics are pretty easy.
You take the AirTrain (the same train you’d take to get to the car rental facility) to Jamaica Station (about a 10-minute ride; note that there are two trains, one to Jamaica Station and one to Howard Beach, so listen for the announcements to make sure you board the correct train). At Jamaica Station you will need to pay $5 to exit the facility. If you plan to do the same trip in reverse, buy a $10 metrocard from the machine and save the card for your return.
At Jamaica Station, follow the signs to LIRR (Long Island Railroad). After going through the glass doors to the mezzanine level above the tracks, use a ticket machine to purchase an off-peak ticket to Penn Station. (Again you can purchase a round-trip ticket if doing the same trip in reverse on your return). Most times of the day, trains run every 10 to 15 minutes to Penn Station. The trains to Penn Station depart from Track 1.
Once at Penn Station, follow the sign to Amtrak to connect to your train to Providence. On the Amtrak departure level you will find monitors where track numbers are posted, generally about 10 minutes prior to a train’s departure.
There are two types of trains that operate to Providence: the Northeast Regional trains and the more expensive Acela Express. The Acela is a newer and nicer train, makes fewer stops, and gets to Providence about 15-20 minutes faster, but is also more expensive. In either case, be sure to sit on the right side of the train for the best views (and on the left on your return).
I have taken the AirTran + subway to Manhattan a few times before (I still have the metrocard!), but have never taken the LIRR to Penn Station. Thanks for the info. How long a ride is this (from Jamaica Station to Penn Station)?
I am typing this after I have already read through the posts following yours, there are many good suggestions there as well. Thank you ALL. I am incline to take the train from Providence to Penn on that Friday afternoon, because I am truly concerned about the metro NY/Long Island traffic!
Aug 14, 2018, 12:14 am
#14
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+1. Right on! Thanks.
Aug 14, 2018, 12:16 am
#15
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If you are driving I would recommend getting off I-95 and driving through Mystic CT which isn't much of a diversion. It is a cool little village with lots of eating options. Ford's Lobster in Noank (down the road from Mystic) is a no-frills Seafood joint right on the water.
The train is well worth considering too since it removes the worry over traffic, especially on your return trip to JFK.
The train is well worth considering too since it removes the worry over traffic, especially on your return trip to JFK.