CT to VT - directions

[gmcunni]

i've always taken 91 north but this weekend my starting point is different and google is suggesting Rt 7 north as the shortest trip. Anyone know this route and what to expect for traffic on a Friday evening? not leaving CT until 9 PM.

 

[drjeff]

Some people who I am friends with who live in the SW corner of CT/Westchester County/NYC/Long Island areas and are Mount Snow regulars love the rte 7/22 option, especially when the weather and road conditions are good, but most tend to cut over to 91 and take that way up, as there are lots of small towns and reduced speed areas along 7/22 that can be "annoying"

I've done the trip one time all the way up 7 from Danbury into VT, and while I will say that it was a very scenic and fun road to drive, it seemed like I was on roads that had a speed limit under 40mph at least a 1/4th if not 1/3rd of the time, so it wasn't a "quick" trip

 

[frapcap]

I've done both of those routes. I still take 91 99% of the time. In the early morning hours or late at night RT 7 can be quicker, however with all of the small towns, slow cars, and fluctuating speed limits The Doctor mentioned, it might only end up 10-15 minutes faster.
He hit the 'annoyance' factor on the head. Definitely have to obey the speed limits, too. Plenty of town police officers take notice of those who are speeding, similar to the Rt30 drive to Stratton. However, it is very scenic when the sun is coming up in the morning, but you won't get the benefit of the route at night.

I typically take 91 because you can ignore the 55mph speed limit in most places and go with the flow of traffic at 65-70 to make up the difference in time that your map is showing.

 

[gmcunni]

thanks.. i was leaning to 91 anyway. i'm hopeful that by leaving @ 9 PM i'll miss some of the typical traffic congestion

 

[emmaurice2]

7 is the route I take 95% of the time. From Cornwall, Route 7 is definitely the better bet. The only suggestion I would make is when you get to Great Barrington, Take 23 West to 71 North to 22 North, then follow the direction as given.

Watch out for cops at Stephentown (near Jiminy Peak) and New Lebanon, NY and then again on Route 7 in VT.

 

[drjeff]

thanks.. i was leaning to 91 anyway. i'm hopeful that by leaving @ 9 PM i'll miss some of the typical traffic congestion

FYI, my friends that take the 91 route say that as long as they roll through the greater Hartford/Springfield area after 7PM that unless the weather is crappy or there's an accident, traffic isn't an issue. Tending to leave from the Norwich, CT area on Friday PM and heading up 91, I know that as long as i'm through the Hartford/Springfield corridor before 4:45 i'm OK(I've gotta to try and make 6:30ish last call at my favorite Mount Snow base lodge bar afterall :beer: ), if I can't make it through there by then, then I'm either waiting until 6:30 or so to leave or re-route around Hartford

 

[crank]

At 9PM I would just go straight up 7.

 

[steamboat1]

I take Taconic then over to 22 over to 7 coming up & back from NYC all the time. It's the shortest way time wise & is pretty direct. Only thing more direct is straight up 22 but there are to many towns down south. 7 is not an interstate but it's a good road.

 

[gmcunni]

did 22 to 7. it wasn't bad. gps didn't go exactly the way google suggested, went west to NY then up rather then North to mass. no traffic at all.