Headed to MA From NJ- question for CT folks

FirstCayman · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007, 10:59 PM

I'm heading to MA from NJ on ther 1st of June. Finally a nice long ride.

Natrually I want to avoid route 95 at all costs in all states. I usually take Merrit and 84. Last couple of years though I remember some bad construction and traffic on 84 in the Waterburry area. How is 84 these days?

Any other routes I should consider? Final destination North Andover. thanks

Jayman · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007, 02:15 AM

I drove 84 in Waterbury just yesterday. The construction is over for now..but thats another story...actually 84 in Hartford is usually the biggest problem, especially if its during rush hour. If your just passing through and want to make good time, the routes you've chosen are probably the best.

**Snowdog** · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 04:27 AM

Ahhh, but it's so nice to experience 84 now that the construction is over finally! Smooooooth and new around the Waterbury area.

I had to go from my house (West Hartford) to Teaneck about 2 weeks ago. I normally go route 8 and Merrit when I head down to JFK and leave the Cayman at home, but for this trip I took the 84, 684, Saw Mill, Tapan Zee, GS Pkwy route with the Cayman and it was a nice ride. Saw Mill was fun as expected given the turns ... traffic was light and saw no police. Worst bumps I remember were on 684, felt like a never ending series of expansion joints.

Hope you have a nice trip and we'll keep an eye out for you to post up on the spotted list

FirstCayman · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 03:27 PM

thanks for the feedback guys. it's nice to hear that the Waterbury section is finally done

Jayman · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 11:21 PM

The Waterbury/Cheshire section of 84 is done for now. Believe it or not the section just completed you were concerned about has been in the news a lot lately, seems the contractor doing all the drainage work. storm drains, short cut most of it and there are 10's of millions of dollars of work that have to be redone.

**Gator Bite** · #6 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 11:34 PM

The only problem in my mind with that route (I-684 to I-84) is that you are cutting out the most scenic part of the Merrit Parkway, from the state line through New Haven. If it were me, I would take the Merrit parkway through CT to I-91 North to I-84 East to I-90 East to I-495 North to Andover. Very nice ride. Of course I am assuming you will start in NJ on the Garden State Parkway to I-287 to the Hutchinson River Parkway which will turn into the Merrit Parkway.

The Merrit is only two lanes, but there are some very nice twisties in the Greenwich area, and lots of nice scenery from Stamford to New Haven.

FirstCayman · #7 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 08:04 PM

Hey GB - yeah on the way up North, I took GSP, 287 to Merrit. Stayed on the Merrit until somewhere in the 60's forgot which exit. Bailed out there to pickup some friends..

I agree, that road can be fun, but as you know what a pain in the A$$ it can be when the left lane is hogged by cars that simply wont move. But passing them with Ferocious acceleration was very satisfying. I remember the days that road had tolls. I saved the 84/684 thing for the trip back home....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gator Bite

The only problem in my mind with that route (I-684 to I-84) is that you are cutting out the most scenic part of the Merrit Parkway, from the state line through New Haven. If it were me, I would take the Merrit parkway through CT to I-91 North to I-84 East to I-90 East to I-495 North to Andover. Very nice ride. Of course I am assuming you will start in NJ on the Garden State Parkway to I-287 to the Hutchinson River Parkway which will turn into the Merrit Parkway.

The Merrit is only two lanes, but there are some very nice twisties in the Greenwich area, and lots of nice scenery from Stamford to New Haven.