Drving Northern NJ to Sugarbush...any suggestions?

[gores95]

Hi all. Tried doing a search for this and did not come up with anything. Two couples with kids going to Sugarbush leaving on a Thursday early afternoon. Returning Sunday late morning.

What is the best route? I have heard the 84E to 91N then 89N to 100S or take the Thruway/Northway to 4E to Killington then turn up 100N by the K Access Road. It just seems like a LONG slow drive up 100 from there.

Any suggestions? I have not been to Sugarbush in 25 years and looking at a map it is in the middle of NOWHERE!

Thanks,

Marc

 

[gores95]

Oh and someone mentioned that if we take the 91/89 Route you can get off at Exit 5 on 89 and cut though 64 and 12A and end up saving 20 minutes or so rather than going to Exit 9 on 89. I will watch the weather that day because evidently the shortcut goes over a mountain pass.

Marc

 

[Tin Woodsman]

The exit 5 route would be over Roxbury Gap. I wouldn't recommend doing that at night if it's your first time. From Northern NJ, definitely take the western spur route up the Thruway to Rt. 4. Rt 100 north of K-Mart isn't that slow at all, actually. You only pass through 4 real towns that require you to slow down. The rest of the way is a comfortable 60mph drive. And coming up on Thursday night you won't run into the K-Mart traffic on Rt 4, so no need to take alternate routes (which exist) to avoid it.

 

[thetrailboss]

I'd probably lean more to the 91-89 drive simply because 100N out of K-mart has some narrow turns in it and can be a nasty road in bad weather.

 

[nelsapbm]

What about coming up 87, over 149/4 to 22A north to 17 east and up and over the App Gap? (assuming the weather is OK. Would be curious if it is any faster than the above mentioned routes.

 

[hammer]

I've done many trips between Mass. and the Jersey shore, and I've found that taking I-95 along the coast and joining up with I-91 in New Haven is slightly shorter than I-84 to I-91.

If you go closer to the coast in CT, you also have the option of going route 15 (Merritt parkway) which is a little more scenic and was not as busy as I-95.

 

[smootharc]

From Route 4 / NY & VT Border.....some thoughts.

What about coming up 87, over 149/4 to 22A north to 17 east and up and over the App Gap? (assuming the weather is OK. Would be curious if it is any faster than the above mentioned routes.

Here's my thoughts:

I think you're on the right track coming up the Northway vs. 91/89 which pulls you so far East....but other's may feel differently.

So, coming Northway to 149 to VT border, from there....I've tried all the roads, all conditions, all times of year, and it's a tough call. Here are my suggestions and observations, bearing in mind this is only my experience.

Wouldn't recommend 4 all they way to Rutland, then up on 100....as Rutland is a total bog down/time suck, and lower part of 100 heading up is very twisty. I've found this to be time consuming.

The route quoted above is also one I tried, but milage is long and time is long.

Here's what I believe is the best route in terms of roads/miles/and time. Again, other's experience may differ, and there are some two lane "smaller highways" types of roads here.....well plowed and maintained, and highways, but if you're not comfortible in winter conditions, then perhaps longer, more "larger interstate highway like" roads are for you.

From NY/VT border head East on 4 to exit, I believe, #4 - Take 30North to 73. Turn right and take 73 to Brandon. 73 and 7 are the same for a 1/2 mile through town. Continue on 73 heading East out of Brandon. 73 takes you over a gap to Route 100 just below Rochester. Straight 20/25 minute shot up 100 to Warren / Waitsfield.

 

[gores95]

Re: From Route 4 / NY & VT Border.....some thoughts.

What about coming up 87, over 149/4 to 22A north to 17 east and up and over the App Gap? (assuming the weather is OK. Would be curious if it is any faster than the above mentioned routes.

Here's my thoughts:

I think you're on the right track coming up the Northway vs. 91/89 which pulls you so far East....but other's may feel differently.

So, coming Northway to 149 to VT border, from there....I've tried all the roads, all conditions, all times of year, and it's a tough call. Here are my suggestions and observations, bearing in mind this is only my experience.

Wouldn't recommend 4 all they way to Rutland, then up on 100....as Rutland is a total bog down/time suck, and lower part of 100 heading up is very twisty. I've found this to be time consuming.

The route quoted above is also one I tried, but milage is long and time is long.

Here's what I believe is the best route in terms of roads/miles/and time. Again, other's experience may differ, and there are some two lane "smaller highways" types of roads here.....well plowed and maintained, and highways, but if you're not comfortible in winter conditions, then perhaps longer, more "larger interstate highway like" roads are for you.

From NY/VT border head East on 4 to exit, I believe, #4 - Take 30North to 73. Turn right and take 73 to Brandon. 73 and 7 are the same for a 1/2 mile through town. Continue on 73 heading East out of Brandon. 73 takes you over a gap to Route 100 just below Rochester. Straight 20/25 minute shot up 100 to Warren / Waitsfield.

This way sounds interesting. Just got out my VT map. I see 30N off of 4. But on the map, before you get to 73 there is another road heading East (144 maybe..it looks like it goes by Burr Pond). It looks like more of a straight shot to Brandon. Do you know this road or would I be better off going a little farther north to 73?

Thanks.

 

[bvibert]

I'm not sure if there is any addition info here or not, but you might want to check out this thread on skiMRV.

 

[smootharc]

Re: From Route 4 / NY & VT Border.....some thoughts.

This way sounds interesting. Just got out my VT map. I see 30N off of 4. But on the map, before you get to 73 there is another road heading East (144 maybe..it looks like it goes by Burr Pond). It looks like more of a straight shot to Brandon. Do you know this road or would I be better off going a little farther north to 73?

Doable....it's pretty twisty, lots of driveways, undulates....but I've found that's an okay summer route. We are talking about a square mile or so of the route here. I have found keeping on 73 "seems" faster. But, yes, 144 is a hypotenuse.

 

[skibum1321]

What about coming up 87, over 149/4 to 22A north to 17 east and up and over the App Gap? (assuming the weather is OK. Would be curious if it is any faster than the above mentioned routes.

I wouldn't want to drive over App Gap in the winter.

 

[gores95]

I'm not sure if there is any addition info here or not, but you might want to check out this thread on skiMRV.

I checked out the thread Brian thanks. One interesting note in that thread that I did not know...VT law allows you to pass on a solid yellow double line. Can someone confirm this?

This way sounds interesting. Just got out my VT map. I see 30N off of 4. But on the map, before you get to 73 there is another road heading East (144 maybe..it looks like it goes by Burr Pond). It looks like more of a straight shot to Brandon. Do you know this road or would I be better off going a little farther north to 73?

Doable....it's pretty twisty, lots of driveways, undulates....but I've found that's an okay summer route. We are talking about a square mile or so of the route here. I have found keeping on 73 "seems" faster. But, yes, 144 is a hypotenuse.

OK I will stick to 73. Thanks.

 

[smootharc]

Hope it works.

P.S.

The VT welcome center is great at the NY/ VT border. Water, bathrooms, tons of literature, and a nice little kids area.

Brandon is a great little town, with a super bunch of shops and eats along a brick fronted main street.

There are a few unexpected turns on 73 over the mountain - sharp 90 degree ones that kind of sneak up on you, so be alert.

The run up 100 from 73 has 2 cutie towns with eats and a few shops, and a great nature area in the Granville Gulf reservation, an idyllic 7 mile stretch. Nice little stop off to see the frozen falls. Watch for Moose, and, though I've never run into it, sometimes black ice.

Have a great time in a great valley.

 

[nelsapbm]

Regarding the App Gap in the winter. I do it all the time in my Honda Accord. It's a very well maintained road. In fact, it's the route the Governor takes daily on his commute to Montpelier. Lots of folks who live in the Bristol area take it daily to work in the Valley.
If you're not used to steep, windy roads, then I imagine it would be intimidating. I wouldnt want to do it in a raging storm, but other than that its usually a-ok.

 

[NYDrew]

YOu can hit bad conditions in the "death zone" in ct. or you can hit bad conditions on 100.

I have never seen a wreck in the death zone that didn't look like the car was finished...and I've seen a lot of them.

100 is a nasty road too, but I think any accident there would be not so bad (trip could continue) or a total fireball off some cliff.

I personally prefere northway to 100, but I usually come from binghamton. This one is going to be up to you. Times are probably the same. If the weather remains like this,I would go with 95 through ct.

 

[Talisman]

I drive on VT Rt-100 from Mt Holly to Sugarbush frequently during ski season and think of Rt-100 asa 'good' road. There are occaisonally some a-hole drivers on the section South of US Rt 4, but really enjoy the drive. When driving Granville Gulf during heavy snow it is tough figuring out where the road is, but you aren't far from the 'bush. Keep repeating 'hell on the highway means heaven on the slopes.'

During heavy snow storms I have found that direct secondary roads are usually better than driving on the inter-state highway. I find my driving skills can handle most conditions by slowing down, having snow tires and anticipating road curves, but other drivers are the wild card.

 

[smootharc]

A good point....

During heavy snow storms I have found that direct secondary roads are usually better than driving on the inter-state highway. I find my driving skills can handle most conditions by slowing down, having snow tires and anticipating road curves, but other drivers are the wild card.

...and one that is counter intuitive to the idea that major highways are always best and fastest. I've had some hairy moments on the NY thruway with plows, and clueless ones doing dumb things based on the conditions.

 

[skibum1321]

I'm not sure if there is any addition info here or not, but you might want to check out this thread on skiMRV.

I checked out the thread Brian thanks. One interesting note in that thread that I did not know...VT law allows you to pass on a solid yellow double line. Can someone confirm this?

You can pass on double yellow. It was originally a law made because of farm machinery on the road. Just keep in mind that the lines are usually double yellow for a reason.

 

[andyzee]

I've tried a number of different ways, one I didn't try is th Rt30 suggestion. Personally, I would stay away from Rt 84. Just do the Thruway up to exit 23 and cut thru Troy to Bennington, or Thruway to Northway and take the exit for Rt149. In either case I would drive up to Killington and then go up 100. Yes it may be a little winding and a bit slower, but damn, it's also some very nice scenery. People, slow down, enjoy nature

 

[NYDrew]

Cross on double, since when? As one of the youngest in here (therefore most up-to-date on driving rules) I can definately say that you can't do that in ny. Last time I picked up a driving handbook was about 7 years ago though.