[finana]

Hello,
My husband and I are moving to the area from Boston. My husband will be working at Yale, and would like to ride his motorcycle to work (!!). Just how bad is the commute from Old Saybrook to New Haven? How long does it usually take? When does rush hour begin/end as far as the backup on 95 into New Haven? I know Shoreline East looks like the best option, but my husband will ride the bike sometimes anyway. Does anyone know how long it takes to get to Yale from the Old Saybrook train station via Shoreline East and one of the shuttles? Which shuttle is best - the commuter one, or the one run by Yale?

Thank you very much for your help,

Ashley

[KH02]

I would say about 40 minutes but allow more for traffic situations, which on 95 can happen ANYTIME of day. It would not be a good ride on a motorcycle IMO because it's a lot of stop and go on the highway which is never fun on a bike.

Someone else will give you shuttle info as I'm not as familiar.

[heather121]

The only spot on that commute that will have consistent traffic is approaching the Q bridge into New Haven (7am-10am probably). But as KH noted, traffic can happen anytime on 95 (accidents, construction, etc), and from Old Saybrook to New Haven it's only 2-lanes so passing/getting around accidents is going to be limited.

Most of the traffic going northbound, however (for the return trip), is going to be beach traffic in the summer afternoons (3pm-6pm), which can clog from Guilford all the way to the Old Saybrook bridge, if you're unlucky enough to be stuck in it.

[JayCT]

It is about 35 miles from Old Saybrook to New Haven and would take about 35 to 45 minutes without traffic. With traffic it will be about an hour or more depending how bad it gets. For the next 8 years, I-95 will be under construction in New Haven so your husband should consider taking the train if possible. THe train trip is about 45 minutes and the shuttles usually meet the trains since there are a lot of people from Yale that use the Shoreline East Trains. Depending where in Yale your husband's job is, another option may be to walk from State Street station which is not too far from some of Yale facilities. Your husband should talk to Yale more about where his office would be and options for getting to and from the train. They should know better. Jay

[wavehunter007]

My wife works at Yale and makes the commute from the Saybrook/Lyme area to New Haven 5 days a week. It’s 33-miles bridge to bridge (Saybrook Bridge to Q bridge). Normally, it takes her about 30 – 40 minutes. Saybrook is exits 67 to 69 and New Haven (downtown) is the 48/49 exits. On average (meaning most of the time)…most of the traffic you will hit is way down near exit 50 in East Haven. It’s normally clear sailing all the way from Saybrook to Branford, with much less traffic (and truck traffic), than from New Haven to Bridgeport/Stamford areas. From May to late September, there is the influx of beach traffic headed to the resorts/cottages in eastern Connecticut, the Casinos, the Rhode Island Beaches…etc. This is mostly a Friday afternoon/long weekend/holiday weekend issue.

The Shoreline East is a fantastic alternative for people who live along the I-95 corridor in coastal Connecticut. The new train station in Old Saybrook is clean, safe, and has free parking. The train ride from Saybrook to downtown (get off at the State Street stop, NOT Union Station) is about 35-mins.

Good Luck.

[finana]

Thank you all for your input - it's very helpful. It sounds like traffic is an issue, but it will not be as bad as it is in Boston - that is good news.

We will definitely look into the train.

Best regards,
Ashley

[Niffy]

*bump*

Do any of you guys drive this route regularly? I'm finding your estimations on travel time to be VERY generous.

I live in Branford and work in Old Saybrook--it takes at least 30 mins for me to get to/from work. That's with no traffic/accidents or red lights, and me driving around 70/75 MPH. I live closer to the East Haven line, so I have to deal w/ Rt 1 and the many lights to get on at exit 54, and work near exit 67.

I also attend SCSU and go straight from work. That takes about 45-50 mins depending on road/traffic conditions.

I would plan on it taking approx. 1 hr by car from OSB to NH (and vice versa).

Good luck!

[nhctguy]

If he is going to ride his motorcycle, I would suggest using Route 80, which runs parallel to I-95. It will take longer in time but when traffic is jammed on 95, it is a good alternative (and safer, IMO).

The Q bridge is def the biggest traffic issue. It has far ranging repurcussions, which are exacerbated in the summer. The afternoon approaches from route 34 (downtown)/I-95/I-91 are all backed up into/over/after the bridge. Though coming from Boston, you may think our traffic issues are non existant. haha.

*a tip for yourself or others going over the bridge in the afternoon - do not get on route 34 in downtown to make the approach to the bridge. Use chapel street out of downtown, right onto Olive Street, left onto Wooster Street, which leads directly onto the ramp for the bridge bypassing all of the traffic.