Portland to Providence - 95 or 495?
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,248
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Worcester, MA, BOS, PVD, BDL, MHT, ??ORH??
Programs: Delta Platinum, HHonors Diamond, PC Platinum
Posts: 11,928
There's ongoing paving on 495 in and around the 95 interchange (ongoing for like 5 years ) that is really tying thing up in the evening hours. There was a report just two nights ago of 495 S just north of the 95 exit having 7 miles of paving with only one lane open. The traffic was not good in that area for many miles.
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.
#19
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Worcester, MA, USA
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold, Hyatt Platinum, HHonors, Marriott Silver
Posts: 547
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Worcester, MA, BOS, PVD, BDL, MHT, ??ORH??
Programs: Delta Platinum, HHonors Diamond, PC Platinum
Posts: 11,928
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,248
I need to drive from Portland to Providence on Friday morning, June 20th.
If I follow Mapquest directions, the vast majority of the trip will be on Interstate 95.
They estimate my 180 mile trip will take about 3 hours 15 minutes.
Considering it's a Friday in June, is this realistic?
I'm not familiar with Boston traffic or road construction, but, as a Chicagoan, I can imagine.
Would I be better off taking 495?
Thanks
If I follow Mapquest directions, the vast majority of the trip will be on Interstate 95.
They estimate my 180 mile trip will take about 3 hours 15 minutes.
Considering it's a Friday in June, is this realistic?
I'm not familiar with Boston traffic or road construction, but, as a Chicagoan, I can imagine.
Would I be better off taking 495?
Thanks
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: United, American
Posts: 91
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.
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.
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595
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.
#24
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 15
I-95 is the best route for Providence, NY city
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.
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.
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
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.
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.
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.
#26
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC
Programs: Choice Privileges DIA, HHonors, United, Delta
Posts: 136
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.
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.
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.
#27
Ambassador, New England
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Maineiac, USA
Programs: Amtrak, WN RR, Choice
Posts: 2,655
Or is the general consensus that avoiding downtown Worcester is worth paying a smidge more in tolls on the Mass Pike?
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Somewhere between here and there...
Programs: WWF, Appalachian Mountain Club
Posts: 11,595
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.
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
Unless there is an accident (assuming it's reported), we always take 290. Why not go the fastest route?
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Worcester, MA, BOS, PVD, BDL, MHT, ??ORH??
Programs: Delta Platinum, HHonors Diamond, PC Platinum
Posts: 11,928
Leisure travelers are unlikely to hit Worcester at this hour, however.