Efrem

The one in Foxboro (Foxborough to traditionalists), south of Boston, exit 13. ("The other" in your question.)

Analise

Thanks!

OB one

Drove 290 west to 495 South to the Bourne Rotary Thursday at 2 pm and then the back north at 2 pm Friday. The paving is, as you say, from about the Rt 1 exit to the 95/495 interchange going southbound on 495. Only one lane is open, but use of the breakdown lane is allowed, so as soon as I saw the sign allowing driving in the breakdown lane, I moved over into the breakdown lane and continued along at about 45 mph while many cars crawled along the highway at 25 mph-ish. I kept hoping no one would cut in front of me as there was nowhere else to go.

Coming back today at 3 pm, I purposely looked as it is Friday and likely to have heavier Cape traffic but it looked similar to Thursday's traffic. Moving, but slow, but I imagine tkey75 is right on, at rush hour it would be awful.

ExpoTrac

Hi OB One,

I hope you went 290 east to 495 South, or you really went out of your way

OB one

Ooops, that is very embarrassing. Of course I went east or I would have ended up on the Pike in Auburn. which is the long way to the Cape.

OB

ps. give your wife my wife's regards.

Efrem

That was the day before yesterday, so time for an update. Which route did you take, and how was it?

johnmcq

I took 95 from Freeport, Maine, to Providence. It took about 2 hours and 45 minutes - and that includes two bathroom stops.

One reason I did so well is that New England drivers were right on my butt the whole time, and I was doing 10 to 15 miles over the limit.

hanks to all of you for the advice.

tkey75

You made good time! Glad your journey was safe. I've made that trip many times and know how the NE corridor of 95 can be a busy, action packed road.

A00234826

If I going to NY city or Washington DC from Maine
I should go on I-95 from Maine, through NH, and stay on I-95(rt-128) through Massachestts and Stay on I-95 south all the way through Providence, New Londen, New Haven, bridgeport, NY City
(STAY AWAY FROM I-84 at all cost) I-95 through RI and northen CT has less truck traffic as to I-84 and its alot shorter to go on I-95 all the way from Maine to NY city then to cut on mass pike to I-84.

Analise

Welcome to Flyertalk.

Why would you stay away from 84 and go that long route to NYC? 84 b/w the Mass Pike and Hartford is fine. Your route adds a lot of time and mileage; maybe that's what you like.

mclee19

+1 to Analise's question - why would you avoid I-84? It actually adds about 15 miles...

Best route is 95 to 495 to 90 to 84 to 91 to 95, at least if you want to be on 95 approaching NYC. Other wise stay on 84 to 684.

If you really must miss 84, take 495 across the pike, it becomes 395. That will take you to 95 near New London. Still shorter than 95 all the way.

lo2e

Might as well add one more to your list if you're going to take all those different routes anyway!

Or is the general consensus that avoiding downtown Worcester is worth paying a smidge more in tolls on the Mass Pike?

tkey75

Why? I have been driving that road for almost 20 years, at all times of day and other than the very occasional construction or accident, have never, ever hit any traffic. Whereas 95 in RI and especially CT, where it's a 2 lane direction of highway with narrow shoulders, can be pretty rough all the way from New London to New Haven.

Analise

Unless there is an accident (assuming it's reported), we always take 290. Why not go the fastest route?

OB one

Skip 290 if you headed west on 290 at 5 pm on weekdays. Where 190 and 290 merge is always backed up at 5 pm but after the 146 turnoff, 290 opens up, so you are taking maybe 4 exits of traffic.

Leisure travelers are unlikely to hit Worcester at this hour, however.