What is the best route to NYC coming from the north?

[Throwmeabone]

I live in upstate New York. I just went to NYC yesterday taking 87 to 287 then through NJ for a bit and then to 95 (crossing over the GW bridge). Every time I've been on the George Washington bridge it has been slow and annoying. On the way back I went farther north and went across the Tappan Zee Bridge. I thought that was much faster and easier.

 

[nycxandy]

I usually take the the thruway (87) > Palisades Parkway (NJ) > GWB.

I travel from Albany to NY once every two/three weeks. I usually leave around 6PM, arriving in the city at a little past 8.

 

[bruceb]

Your only other choice would be RT#787 to RT#90, then ove the Patroon Island Bridge to the Taconic State Parkway, then over to the Triboro Bridge .. only problem is the Taconic is 2 lanes each way, if I recall correctly. But it is a much nicer drive and you don't have to deal with the GWB .. either way, you are looking at about 150 miles or so each way, depending on exactly where you are starting from and going to.
This is calculated from your home town to about E97 & 1st Ave in Manhattan +/- a few miles or so.

 

[Throwmeabone]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Your only other choice would be RT#787 to RT#90, then ove the Patroon Island Bridge to the Taconic State Parkway, then over to the Triboro Bridge .. only problem is the Taconic is 2 lanes each way, if I recall correctly. But it is a much nicer drive and you don't have to deal with the GWB .. either way, you are looking at about 150 miles or so each way, depending on exactly where you are starting from and going to.
This is calculated from your home town to about E97 & 1st Ave in Manhattan +/- a few miles or so.

Interesting, I didn't realize that was an option. I'll have to try that sometime. Do you know what the speed limit is on the Taconic State Parkway?

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Throwmeabone
I live in upstate New York. I just went to NYC yesterday taking 87 to 287 then through NJ for a bit and then to 95 (crossing over the GW bridge). Every time I've been on the George Washington bridge it has been slow and annoying. On the way back I went farther north and went across the Tappan Zee Bridge. I thought that was much faster and easier.

I'd stay away from pallisades and GWB, it's always a huge clusterfuck right before the bridge on the jerz side. I've gone through bronx on the 87 and 95 and it's been a LOT better. Just try to hit stemford out of rush our, because 95 turns into a parking lot there.

 

[bruceb]

Mind you, I am not 100% certain of the entire route .. it looks feasible per MS Streets & Trips .. you need to know your local roads to get to RT787 and then watch for signs as you get near NYC for where or which bridge you want to get to. Also a correction, it seems this road is 3 lanes each way for almost all of it.

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: Kensico Dam Plaza to Saw Mill River Parkway junction is a 50MPH speed limit

NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND: Applied north of Saw Mill River Parkway is a 65MPH speed limit

http://www.nycroads.com/history/speed_NYS/

http://www.nycroads.com/exits/taconic/

http://www.nycroads.com/roads/taconic/

 

[Doodoo]

I always take 84 over to taconic all the way down and take the Rt 100 S Central Ave exit to I87. Then follow the signs for I95 and US1 GW Lower Level. Then take exit 1 which should bring you right out to the west side highway. This way you'll avoid all the ridiculous tolls in Manhattan.

 

[bruceb]

That would work, but if he wants to get to the East Side of upper Manhattan, the Triboro / Harlem River Drive to FDR south is much faster and will leave him on the east side. Your idea is fine, if his destination is more toward the west side of Manhattan.

 

[Doodoo]

Yeah it all depends on which side he wants. Like you said, For the east side, the Triboro Bridge onto FDR is much faster.

 

[Throwmeabone]

Originally posted by: Doodoo
I always take 84 over to taconic all the way down and take the Rt 100 S Central Ave exit to I87. Then follow the signs for I95 and US1 GW Lower Level. Then take exit 1 which should bring you right out to the west side highway. This way you'll avoid all the ridiculous tolls in Manhattan.

Does that mean the lower level of the GW bridge doesn't have a toll?

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Throwmeabone

Originally posted by: Doodoo
I always take 84 over to taconic all the way down and take the Rt 100 S Central Ave exit to I87. Then follow the signs for I95 and US1 GW Lower Level. Then take exit 1 which should bring you right out to the west side highway. This way you'll avoid all the ridiculous tolls in Manhattan.

Does that mean the lower level of the GW bridge doesn't have a toll?

no toll going to jersey, toll going to manhattan

 

[Doodoo]

You actually head towards NJ, but get off right before you get on the GW via exit 1. The sign will say something like last exit in NY. Its like 5 minutes longer going this way, but i don't mind it since it saves on the tolls.

 

[nycxandy]

Originally posted by: Doodoo
You actually head towards NJ, but get off right before you get on the GW via exit 1. The sign will say something like last exit in NY. Its like 5 minutes longer going this way, but i don't mind it since it saves on the tolls.

Uh, how do you get from NJ to NY?

 

[nycxandy]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: Throwmeabone
I live in upstate New York. I just went to NYC yesterday taking 87 to 287 then through NJ for a bit and then to 95 (crossing over the GW bridge). Every time I've been on the George Washington bridge it has been slow and annoying. On the way back I went farther north and went across the Tappan Zee Bridge. I thought that was much faster and easier.

I'd stay away from pallisades and GWB, it's always a huge clusterfuck right before the bridge on the jerz side. I've gone through bronx on the 87 and 95 and it's been a LOT better. Just try to hit stemford out of rush our, because 95 turns into a parking lot there.

Well, it actually depends. I've tried the 87 to 95 (across the Throgs to Queens) and there was so much traffic in both directions. It would've been faster for me to take my normal route of Palisades > GWB > FDR. Of course, this is at 9-10PM on a Friday.