[Mitch Paradise]

Hi,

My gf and I are taking a road trip through CT and then continuing onto Western Massachusetts over Thanksgiving. In classic road trip fashion, we'd like to stay off of the Interstate and see the sights while we're driving. There are two legs to this trip. First, we'll be leaving from NYC and traveling to New Haven. Then we'll be leaving from New Haven (or Hamden) and driving to Northampton, MA. Any suggestions for nice routes between NYC and New Haven or New Haven to Northampton? There's nothing in particular we'd like to do, just looking for pleasant alternatives to the Interstate. We won't be in a hurry.

Thanks!

[JayCT]

Take the Merritt Parkway (CT Route 15) to New Haven. It is an extension of the Hutchinson River Parkway and is a very pretty ride. From New Haven to Northampton, you normally take I-91. You could get off the highway at Exit 8 and take Route 17 up to Middletown. It is not the most scenic but there are some nice sections. Middletown is a nice place walk around a bit. Jay

[DawnMTL]

The Merritt is a terrific ride!
And have a great time in Northampton -- super town!

[western mass and love it]

well from New Haven you could take Rt 5 all the way up into Hamp. But it would take forever.

[foxywench]

im not familiar with the routs on, but rt 34 is also a beautiful ride.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

If you're traveling the week of Thanksgiving, the Merritt would be a horrible option between the hours of 3-7:00 p.m.

[Mitch Paradise]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

If you're traveling the week of Thanksgiving, the Merritt would be a horrible option between the hours of 3-7:00 p.m.

Care to expand on that? Just curious...thanks for the replies so far by the way.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by Mitch Paradise

Care to expand on that? Just curious...thanks for the replies so far by the way.

It will be a parking lot.

In the a.m., commuter traffic on the parkway and 95 heads south. In the p.m., the traffic is going north. Northbound p.m. traffic crawls during major holiday weeks.

[missionhill]

If New Haven weren't in the equation I'd take 684 and 84 to Routes 7 and 202 through Litchfield and all that to route 10, which then takes you right into Northampton. From New Haven I'd take the interstate to hartford, then head northwest on Albany Ave over to route 10 and take that all the way to Hamp. Not the most scenic route but much more so than U.S. 5 or I-91.

[nep321]

The Merritt (Route 15) is great, but so is U.S. 7, because it goes up into the Litchfield hills, all the way up to the Berkshires. Then, you can hook onto I-90 (Mass Pike) east bound and take an exit to I-91 north in Westfield or Holyoke (i forgot which city exactly), and Northampton will be right up there. I know the Berkshires aren't in CT, but they are gorgeous IMO. The speed limit on U.S. 7 is often 50 mph, so it's not a slow road, either. Traffic probably won't be as bad as I-91 and Route 15, either.