Best Route?: Boston to Philly

July 22, 2006 12:32 PM

What is the best driving route from Boston to Philadelphia?

I am driving a moving truck from Boston to Philadelphia. We have driven down in our car using the Google Maps route and it was a bit complicated, which made the trip more stressful than I had hoped. This time I will be driving a much larger vehicle that I am not as comfortable with. Is there anybody out there that makes this trip regularly that can share a simpler/easier route? One that perhaps allows us to avoid as much NYC madness as possible. I am willing to sacrifice a quicker trip for a less stressful one. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

posted by Hillman Cobs to travel & transportation (10 comments total)

two words: Tappen Zee
posted by Gungho at 12:53 PM on July 22, 2006

Yeah, I second Gungho - take the TappenZee , then 95 North...

/not much else you can do about it
posted by mad_little_monkey at 1:07 PM on July 22, 2006

Wait, south - sorry read that as Philly to Boston...
posted by mad_little_monkey at 1:08 PM on July 22, 2006

I don't drive to Philly regularly, but my favorite way to get to NJ is I-84. Basically, take I90 to I84 at Sturbridge, then just stay on 84. Looking at google maps, it looks like you should be able to take 84 to 476 which will take you straight to Philly (but, as I said, I've never gone to Philly without going through my home in NJ first--so I won't speak to that part of the trip.)

I84 is nice because it skips NYC entirely. You do go through Danbury, Middlebury, and Hartford, but as long as you pay attention to the right-side exits (and don't take any of them), you should be fine. I have run into a few traffic jams in the major cities, but if you drive at night that's very much minimized (I usually leave Boston around 9 and get in to NJ around 2-3).

Good luck!
posted by fuzzbean at 1:49 PM on July 22, 2006

We've had a couple of good threads on this: Best way to get to Jersey Shore from the north? and Driving from NJ to NH.
posted by nicwolff at 1:52 PM on July 22, 2006

Another vote here for I-84. I used to drive from Boston down to Jackson, NJ (where Six Flags is, though that's not why I was going there) on a monthly basis. The two best things I ever did for that drive were:

1) Get a FastLane pass, and
2) Take 84 into Jersey instead of 95

Also, if you're planning on leaving late in the day, let me share this observation with you: When I would travel -- in either direction -- and leave at about 5:00pm, I'd arrive at around 11:00pm. If I waited until about 6:30pm to leave, I'd arrive...around 11:00pm.

Avoid rush hour, especially on the major highways. You really don't want to be stuck in rush hour on the cross-bronx.
posted by CrayDrygu at 2:06 PM on July 22, 2006

My suggestion would be 84 to 684 to 287, across the Tappan Zee, then down the Garden State Parkway until it crosses 95. That's all major highways and not terribly out of your way.
posted by smackfu at 2:31 PM on July 22, 2006 [1 favorite]

My parents live in Philly, and I've lived in New England for a long time, so I do this drive a lot. I'm seconding (or thirding or whatever) both FastLane and what smackfu said.

I switch over to the NJ Turnpike where it intersects the Garden State, and take that to the PA Turnpike to 95, but that's just personal preference. smakfu's route might be faster.
posted by dseaton at 5:40 PM on July 22, 2006

Boston to Philly: I went to college in Boston and I am from Philly. I used to do this drive many, many times. It's not fun, but you can do it in about 6-7 hours if conditions are right. Here's how:

Leave Boston via Mass Pike (I-90) West, to I-84 West. Take I-84 West all the way through Connecticut until it intersects with I-684 South to I 287 South. That crosses the Tappan Zee Bridge. Then, because you are driving a truck, you won't be able to take your truck on the Garden State Parkway, so stay on I-287 South until it intersects with the NJ Turnpike. Then get on the NJ Turnpike South to either Exit 6 (for the PA Turnpike and many of the Philly suburbs) or Exit 4 (which will send you on your way to the Ben Franklin Bridge and downtown Philly).

Safe travels!
posted by LilBucner at 5:55 PM on July 22, 2006 [2 favorites]

I've done this trip manymany times, and I'll put in another vote for LilBucner's route precisely.
posted by dmd at 9:06 AM on July 23, 2006