We're driving/moving from Ohio to MA Thursday. Help on routes.

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Here are the three routes Google Maps gives:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou...1.376809,-77.01416&spn=8.949689,19.753418&z=6

Note we aren't moving to Boston, MA, exactly, but for privacy, that's the destination I picked. The 3 routes are basically the same for our actual MA city destination.

Basically a breakdown of the three options:
1: Columbus to Akron/Cleveland to southern NY on the PA line to Albany to Springfield to Boston (86E and 90E)
2: Columbus to Akron/Cleveland to upper NY (Buffalo, Rochester, Utica) to Albany to Springfield to Boston (90E)
3: Columbus to Mansfield to Akron to Youngstown through PA to Scranton to Danbury through CT and RI to Boston (80E and 84E)

Anything I need to be aware of on any of the routes, or has anyone actually gone part or all of this way before and can offer any advice? We were thinking option #2 because it has less road changes. 450 miles on the same road is about as simple as it gets.
 
Just try to avoid rush hour (around 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm) when you hit I-90 as you approach Boston. Probably either of the first two routes is fine.
 
You forgot to bypass the toll roads as they will be expensive and will slow you down considerably. I would also heavily advise against going the "easy" route as you're more prone to highway hypnosis that way. Avoid 4PM-7PM if at all possible in NYC, Providence (four hours away from NYC), and Boston (one hour from Providence).
 
All of the "avoid tolls" options go near or through NYC. I'm pretty sure that'd slow me down more than any tolls.

I'm going to go over these thoughts with my husband tonight. Thanks folks.

EDIT: Also as a note, we are driving at night. Planning on leaving late afternoon and getting there around 9am the next morning. That's when the movers will be there and when the apartment office opens. Rush hour traffic thus won't be much of an issue.
 
If you're going overnight then going through NYC won't matter. It will however matter if you're driving alongside the Canadian border as that's a major route for trucking.
 
If it's not an area you're familiar with, sticking to the same road for as long as possible makes it easy.

I've driven a chunk of route #2 in reverse from Boston westward, and it's a pretty simple/brainless drive.

I've also driven parts of #1 and #3 and given the three options, I'd go with #2 out of the options you've picked.
 
Take I-80 through Pennsylvania. It's the only road that doesn't charge tolls. Also, you're 2 hours north of NYC. Newburgh doesn't get nearly as much traffic.

Also, I-86 isn't interstate the whole way. There are stretches (like around Binghamtom) where you will drive through town and get slowed down by lights and what not. If you're looking to meander through the Finger Lakes region, it's a good option.
 
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I've taken most of route 2 before from Rochester, NY to Boston. If you end up anywhere near NYC you're doing it wrong haha. You might pay more taking the toll roads (then again maybe you won't if you factor in the extra gas used from a non-direct route) but you will no doubt get there faster since the thru-way is 2 lanes where you can pass whenever you want and other options through NYS are going to be one lane where you might be stuck driving 40-50 mph.

You will probably pay over $20 in tolls for the NYS thruway and Mass. turnpike if you haven't looked it up yet.
 
If you're planning on arriving to the greater Boston area around 9am, anticipate traffic EVERYWHERE. There's a lot of construction going on especially on the north end of the city. Welcome to Boston! :D

When you connect onto 90E/Mass Turnpike, DO NOT SPEED, especially if you're coming from Rt 84. Lots of cops. LOTS.

I'd also recommend making the last 5 or so miles a local drive if possible.
 
The only toll roads in PA that I know of is the PA Turnpike. I recommend 80 since there will be no toll roads and all the construction will be done for the day since it's at night. PA has a fuckton of construction on 80 and 81 but since you are going at night, it wont matter.
 
I would go with #2. The drive through PA in #3 is painful. Nothing to see, pitch black, and if you slightly swerve off the road...
 
I like 84 - it is pretty reliable traffic-wise although if you are moving to one of the surrounding areas of Boston you are going to sit in traffic as you approach the city. I routinely travel from the NYC area to the Boston area (like 10+ times a year) and I always take 84 and it's never really an issue although there are some times where I've been stuck in traffic but usually due to an accident or something.

Good luck with the move and get ready for the insanity of the east coast. It is a grind.
 
[quote name='Javery']I like 84 - it is pretty reliable traffic-wise although if you are moving to one of the surrounding areas of Boston you are going to sit in traffic as you approach the city. I routinely travel from the NYC area to the Boston area (like 10+ times a year) and I always take 84 and it's never really an issue although there are some times where I've been stuck in traffic but usually due to an accident or something.

Good luck with the move and get ready for the insanity of the east coast. It is a grind.[/QUOTE]
Yeah. 84 to 90 isn't bad. It's 90 to 84 thats a KILLER. I used to drive to Philly every couple months for 1.5 years and it was always bad.
 
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