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Directions to Obx

Directions to Obx




Hi all, new member here.
We are planning a trip to Nags Head next year and I was trying to map out a route to OBX from near Boston. We are old so we try to limit our drive to 7 hours a day. AAA tells me to go on 90 until 84 going through Hartford then get on the SMP (whatever that is) connect with 95 go over GWB and stay on 95 until just past Philly get on rt1 south to Seaford DE. It’s about 7 hours from my house. After that continue on rt 13 south. That is the shortest route but the tolls are about $50. People coming from the Boston are,what do you feel is the best route. We will be leaving on a Friday. Is this the best route, basing it on distance and travel time. I don’t need a headache drive.

Thanks in advance.

Rich


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RE: Directions to Obx




Yup, that is the best way to go unless you want to deal with I 95 traffic through Philly , Wilmington , Baltimore and DC . It is ugly going that way . Rt 13 has lights going through Eastern Shore of Md and Va and is a boring drive but you will get to see cotton growing once you hit Va to give you a true sense of being in the south ! Worse traffic you will hit is coming off the CBT and into Va beach !It Is worth the tolls !


RE: Directions to Obx




Thanks for your reply.
See attachment for how they want me to go around Philly.




RE: Directions to Obx




I would agree with that route except that you want to get on RT287 west to the Mario Cuomo Bridge after going south on the SMP(Saw Mill Parkway). Go over the bridge(We still call it the Tap) and get on the Garden State Parkway South to RT 95 South. You will avoid the The George Washington Bridge and Traffic carnage that close to NYC. I would say don't go through that area anytime between 3-7pm. The GSP can have "Shore"
Traffic on Friday that time as well. If you Start at 8:30am you miss alot of the Boston traffic going east, and are past the rush hour heading into Hartford. You will get near NYC around 12:30-1:00pm so will miss the traffic there. The only other traffic You would hit would be down in Virginia beach if you hit the rush hour there.


RE: Directions to Obx




Yes. Stay on Jersey side and avoid Philly. Stay on the NJ Turnpike and go over the Delaware Memorial Bridge. You'll pick up I-95 again in Delaware for a short time before getting off on Route 1.

Happy traveling. .


RE: Directions to Obx




When we go south in January we do the Tappanzee to 287/87 to 78 to Harrisburg PA and 81 south. It adds a 100 miles to the trip but we miss the mess on 95.

If we left at 8:30-9 would we miss the GWB traffic getting there about noon? Last time we did the GWB was on the way home from Florida in 2020, we hit zero traffic.

Thanks for your comments.


RE: Directions to Obx




I lived in Northern NJ for 50yrs. I think 2020 was the Covid year. I remember driving through DC that year doing 75mph the whole way through feeling like I drove into a Mad Max movie. Traffic across the TAP that year was always moving fine to non-existent, I avoid the GWB like the plague so I cant comment on that.

The toll coming back for you will be around $10.70 now at the TAP, and The GWB is something like $21.00 I think. I hope you have a fun and safe trip!


RE: Directions to Obx




Night 1 stay in Lewes Delaware.

I live full time in Lewes, this time of year is a great time. Stay in the Dogfish Inn in Lewes.

From Lewes to the Wright Memorial Bridge is 4 hours and 15 minutes.




RE: Directions to Obx




Thanks all.


RE: Directions to Obx




A lot will depend on the time you are leaving and plan on getting to Fairfield County and around NYC. I'm Metrowest Boston and do the OBX trip several times a year. There are several routes, and some are preferred depending on the time you are going. GWB can be iffy. Fine at night.

84 - 684 - Sawmill to Tappan Zee. Then GSP to 95.

84 - Charter Oak Bridge - 91 - Wilbur Cross/Merritt - 287 to Tappan Zee.

Merritt Parkway can be bad for traffic. Only two lanes. 84 in Danbury has had a lot of traffic the past few years, too.

I grew up in Fairfield County. 95 in Fairfield County was to be avoided in the past. Traffic on the Merritt had been so bad lately that GWB/95 is actually back in play again for me after avoiding it for decades.

A lot of traffic has even driven me to even use the Newburgh Bridge on 84 to cross the Hudson.

If you have a lot of time and want to do something scenic, there's another way across the Hudson that doesn't see much use. Bear Mountain Bridge. I was making good time and thought it was bumper-to-bumper to the Tappan Zee coming home, so I decided to do that. Pretty neat. Was the world's longest suspension bridge for a little while. A bit out of the way to get to from both NY and CT sides, though. Scenic overlook over the Hudson on the east side of the Hudson. I pulled in there to try to figure out where the hell I was.

Click to follow link...


RE: Directions to Obx




During June - August, do not go into Lewes. Stop and go traffic watching traffic lights change three times before you get through. Stay on Rt113 South until south of Salisbury where you will find many options for lodging for the night. I have friends and family in Lewes, but I don’t go there in high summer season.


RE: Directions to Obx




During June - August, do not go into Lewes. Stop and go traffic watching traffic lights change three times before you get through. Stay on Rt113 South until south of Salisbury where you will find many options for lodging for the night. I have friends and family in Lewes, but I don’t go there in high summer season.

Greg MD


LOL, it's not that bad, but I hope others take your advice. Traffic is actually brutal from 24 on south. Route 9 is simple and that takes you straight into Lewes.

113 South to Route 9 East in Georgetown is a piece of cake.




RE: Directions to Obx




I’m in my 70’s and made the trip alone this past summer. I live north of Boston, and was able to make the trip in 2 days. 13. 5 hours. I usually go 495 to Mass pike. I pick up Rt 84 in Conn. go thru Conn to 684, to 287. west to the Mario Cuomo Bridge . Pick up NY thru way to Garden State Parkway South I avoided George Washington Bridge and Traffic at all cost. i go thru Delaware on DE 1 S. To US 113 s. To 13 s to 64. Chesapeake tunnel bridge has beautiful views. Someone On obx connections gave me the directions about 8 years ago. I usually stop in Dover Delaware on the way down. On the way home I stop in Tarrytown N Y for the night. I don’t mind the traveling. I hope my memory serves me correct. Please feel free to correct.


RE: Directions to Obx




Hi all, new member here.
We are planning a trip to Nags Head next year and I was trying to map out a route to OBX from near Boston. We are old so we try to limit our drive to 7 hours a day. AAA tells me to go on 90 until 84 going through Hartford then get on the SMP (whatever that is) connect with 95 go over GWB and stay on 95 until just past Philly get on rt1 south to Seaford DE. It’s about 7 hours from my house. After that continue on rt 13 south. That is the shortest route but the tolls are about $50. People coming from the Boston are,what do you feel is the best route. We will be leaving on a Friday. Is this the best route, basing it on distance and travel time. I don’t need a headache drive.

Thanks in advance.

Rich

Poorman148

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