Flatlander 4th of July Travel Strategy

With the 4th on a Weds this year we are looking at a 4 day weekend either ending on the 4th or starting on the 4th. Weather will probably play a role in our choice. Also thinking about traffic. Anyone have any input on which direction (north vs south) traffic will be going on the 4th?

Harvey wrote

With the 4th on a Weds this year we are looking at a 4 day weekend either ending on the 4th or starting on the 4th. Weather will probably play a role in our choice. Also thinking about traffic. Anyone have any input on which direction (north vs south) traffic will be going on the 4th?

Between where and where?  I doubt the direction will make that much difference because most people will want to stay put on the 4th.  Just as it's cheaper to fly on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day or New Year's Day.

Traveling up 87 between NY metro and the Adirondacks.

The pinch point is on 87 south of Albany.

So you think people will be taking the week off?

If you take Weds, isn't that a five day weekend?

Harvey wrote

Traveling up 87 between NY metro and the Adirondacks.

The pinch point is on 87 south of Albany.

So you think people will be taking the week off?

For what it's worth, I generally avoid the interchange between the NY Thruway and I-87 by taking I-787 and RT7.

So driving north on Sat and back Wed, 7/4 or north on 7/4 and back on Sun?  If that's the case then I would opt for leaving early on Sat morning.  Traffic headed back towards NYC on Sunday is likely to be bad by mid-morning and continue until pretty late in the evening.  Will have the people who took off the entire week, the latter part of the week, or just the weekend.

Even for people who only take part of the week off, I think most will want to be settled somewhere before dinner on the 4th.  All depends on how they want to celebrate that evening.

Drove south from last Saturday.  Started just south of Hartford.  Far more traffic in CT and around NYC/NJ now that it's past Memorial Day.  That's why I usually drive the longer way going thru PA on I-81 even for going to Boston from NC during the summer.  Takes the same amount of time and no tolls.

marznc wrote

For what it's worth, I generally avoid the interchange between the NY Thruway and I-87 by taking I-787 and RT7.

+1

Also, Waze sometimes takes me off RT7 to RT9 before circling back to the Northway.

Depending on where you start in NY, Taconic Parkway is better than the Thruway, especially to Vermont.

mm

Never go to VT in summer. Most of the time my only problem is southbound on the return trip well south of Albany.  Never saved much time taking 23 vs 24 heading north.

Harvey wrote

Never go to VT in summer. Most of the time my only problem is southbound on the return trip well south of Albany.  Never saved much time taking 23 vs 24 heading north.

From around Newburgh down can be unbearable on a Sunday evening

Exactly. Trying to figure out if that situation will be worse on Wednesday the 4th or Sunday.

Sunday

Travel early or late...Heading south get on the road by 6am...

I've got a reputation for pushing hard but that wouldn't happen if you offered our family a million dollar prize.

Harvey wrote

I've got a reputation for pushing hard but that wouldn't happen if you offered our family a million dollar prize.

It is supposed to be a VACATION after all.

What would you be doing the evening of July 4th if you drove north that day?  If you drove south that day?  Have to be something pretty special in the north country to make it worth driving south on Sunday.

Brownski wrote

From around Newburgh down can be unbearable on a Sunday evening

Another reason to skip the Thruway and take Taconic.

mm

Harvey wrote

Exactly. Trying to figure out if that situation will be worse on Wednesday the 4th or Sunday.

Take Tues, July 3 to Sat, July 9, and avoid all the stress. The week is going to be slow for business with July 4th in the middle of the week.

With no traffic on either route Google maps gives me almost an hour longer on the taconic sending me through Manhattan. Not happening.

If you abandon taconic in Newburgh you still hit the traffic but it's a longer ride.

I've been doing this drive for almost 30 years I've tried all the routes.

x10003q wrote

Harvey wrote

Exactly. Trying to figure out if that situation will be worse on Wednesday the 4th or Sunday.

Take Tues, July 3 to Sat, July 9, and avoid all the stress. The week is going to be slow for business with July 4th in the middle of the week.

This makes the most sense. The Taconic Parkway is awesome. I use to do Riverdale to Albany all the time and that was my preferred route but it doesn't work for where Harv starts from unfortunately

Can only take two days off from work.

Google maps is pretty good about recommending the shortest route.  If it ever recommends an alternative  to 87 I take it.

In all these years it has occasionally recommended 9w. Never the taconic.

Harvey wrote

Can only two days off from work.

Leave Tuesday after work and come home Saturday night. Maybe work until noon on Tuesday and work in the car on the way up.
Just say no to the Taconic.