<p>Will be leaving on a weekday, returning on a Sunday. I’ve looked at Mapquest and it shows 2 different routes. Does anyone have suggestions on which way, in general, would be best to go? My plan is to leave no later than 7am, it will be either a Tuesday or Wednesday. Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>I live in NJ and do the Boston trip often and have also driven out towards Harrisburg (Hershey) - here is what I suggest</p>
<p>Mass pike to 84 south to 684 south to saw mill parkway to 87 west over tappan zee bridge to 287 south/west to 78 west to 81 south</p>
<p>(the saw mill is tricky but beats doing I95)</p>
<p>(you will hit rush hour some time in Connecticut but there is no way around that if you leave at 7 am)</p>
<p>It will be 6 hours of driving (without traffic issues)</p>
<p>Another option: Take I 84/Mass Pike to Scranton, PA. Connect with I 81 and head south to Harrisburg. I have family members in the Harrisburg area and they much prefer this route. They’ve experienced dreadful traffic jams around the Saw Mill/Tappan Zee/NYC, using both of the commonly driven Mapquest routes. They make better time and enjoy the more peaceful drive. Allow just under 7 hours for the trip. It’s rare to have any slow traffic using this route. Just checked GoogleMaps–H’burg to Scranton and Scranton to Boston–it confirms their approximate driving times.</p>
<p>I agree with the route through Scranton. We live in Boston and our families are both in PA, so we do these drives a lot. The northern route is much calmer and an easier drive.</p>
<p>One tip we’ve learned - I 84 around Hartford gets crazy. Take 91 South (immediately before Hartford) from 84, to 691 West. 691 ends back at 84 near Cheshire. You miss a lot of 84 traffic. It sounds longer, but only adds a few miles and saves lots of time and headaches.</p>
<p>I would absolutely go 84 to Scranton and pickup 81. Did the drive using Mapquest routing from western CT down 287 to 78 and NEVER AGAIN. Came home on the Scranton route. </p>
<p>I have a rep who calls on me from Western MA and strongly recommends the Scranton route when going to his corporate HQ near Hershey and Harrisburg.</p>
<p>Getting around Hartford easily … take RT. 2 from 84 (slightly before the 91 intersection), cross the river on RT 3 in Glastonbury. Pick up 91 south to Meriden, take 691 across towards Waterbury where you’ll pick up 84 west.</p>
<p>We have done the NE to PA drive many, many times. I wholeheartedly agree with all others who recommended the 84 to 81 route.</p>