Which online driving directions do you use most often? We are driving to Maine next month and while I already have TripTiks through AAA, for fun I wanted to see the routes the other online maps would suggest. Now I'm wondering what would be the best way to go. We are already looking at a minimum drive time of 8 - 9 hours, I don't want to add to it if I can help. (Though I can't do much if we get caught in commuter or construction traffic - I'm not sure how we could avoid that.) All the routes agree after Connecticut (we are stopping in Hartford), but since we are coming from the south, we need to drive through (around?) New York City, and there are a few different routes. I wish I knew the area better and knew which one to take!

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 03:53 pm:

Typically we use MapQuest, but it can be quirky. Sorry, I'm not familair with the NYC area at all. In fact, we tend to avoid it if at all possible. LOL! When will you be stopping in Hartford?

By Amecmom on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 03:58 pm:

Stay out of Manhattan if you can (FDR Drive - West Side Hywy)Stick with the George Washington Bridge and see if the Turnpike connects with the NYS Thruway - which is what I think you need to take north.
I'll check them out and then see which one looke like the "least" traffic. NY traffic is not fun.
Ame

By Amecmom on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 04:04 pm:

OK - Take 295 North, to The New Jersey Turnpike, then follow to the GW bridge. Take the Hutchenson River Parkway to 95 north.

The mapquest directions I saw were just fine. They'll keep you out of major trouble.
Enjoy your vacation!
We're headed in the opposite direction - from NY (close to CT) to Virgina.
Ame

By Colette on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 04:12 pm:

I use mapquest, but usually get the triptiks so I have an extensive road map too. Where in Maine are you going?

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 05:30 pm:

mapquest

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 06:29 pm:

I usually use mapquest. We used mapquest to get out to a horse farm, that we didn't know where it was, but on the way home, we realized we knew the area better than we thought, and just took our own way home.

By Mommmie on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 08:45 pm:

I pull up several - mapquest, switchboard, yahoo - because they sometimes give different directions and you can weed out the ones that are wrong. Our house is wrong on one site and our lakehouse is wrong on another site. Both have the houses about 6 miles away from where they really are.

By Sunny on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 12:09 pm:

Ame - That's where I was wondering which would be the better way to go. The TripTiks have us going over the Tappen Zee bridge while AAA's site and Mapquest both suggest the George Washington bridge! I need to get together with DH and decide which way we want to go.

Trina - We are planning to stop in Hartford on the 16th and see the Mark Twain House and have lunch. It will be a quick stop since we plan to drive straight through to Maine afterward. I would love to stay overnight, but our budget and Dh's work schedule won't allow it.

Colette - We will be in the Bangor area for a wedding and are planning to take a side trip to Acadia National Park. I'm looking forward to that more than the wedding! LOL

By Amecmom on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 06:41 pm:

Tappan Zee bridge is okay, too. I actually prefer it to the GW when I go to Jersey. I *think* they are doing some work on the TZ, though - I'm not sure. As long as there is no construction, either the GW or the TZ sould be fine.
Enjoy!
Ame