SundayRiver 3 hrs from boston??

[skididdie]

Sunday River says on its website that its only 3 hours from boston. is that true? i would think it would be longer. if it is true, then ill be heading there tomorrow for a day trip.

 

[playoutside]

Think that's a stretch; I drive 75-80 on highways usually, don't think I've ever gotten to SR in 3 hrs though. I'd plan on more like 3.5 with no traffic. It's pretty much an hour to Bethel after you get off of 95 and I find it tough to go much over the speed limit on secondary roads -- esp in the small towns.

 

[snowmonster]

I believe it. It's do-able.

I do the Boston to Sunday River drive every weekend almost (I live in Brighton). Takes me about 3 hours on Saturday mornings. Usually, it's a bit over 3 hours with the pit-stops and all. I drive 75-80 on the highways but take it easy on the towns along Route 26.

With no pits-stops, this is how the trip breaks out time-wise:

Boston to the Maine border: 1 hour
Maine Turnpike to Gray (Exit 63): less than an hour
Gray to Sunday River: 1 hour and change

Last Saturday, we left Boston at about 630 AM and were on the slopes before 10 AM. We left Sunday River at around 5 and we just missed a few minutes of the Patriots game.

I rarely ever stay at the River overnight. It's definitely worth a day trip. Have fun!

 

[MonkeyBrook]

We do the RI to SR drive every chance we get. I have made it to our place in Newry from RI in 3:45 (yes, moving quickly at night). We are 70 miles from Boston....SR is about 170 miles from Boston....it is certainly possible. Rt. 26 to SR is 55 miles and times on 26 can range from 50 minutes (with a few short cuts) to 1:20 (rush hour if there is such a thing up there). Good luck.

 

[ckofer]

So basically the answer is: if you drive like a bastid, yes

 

[MonkeyBrook]

Under safe conditions, yes. We know we are on good pace if we make it to the exit in Grey (180 miles in 2:40 / 2:25. That is averaging 75....so not too bad and I had a big ** by my statement that this is not normal. 4 hours is the ride for us...give or take 10 minutes on either side.

 

[freebie]

I've done it in 2 1/2 from Boston,but that was when I was young and stupid, we were really cranking, guessing 3 hrs is close to doable though

 

[riverc0il]

Clear roads, leaving early, and good road conditions, yes three hours is very possible at reasonable speeds.

This is somewhat related, but this thread really begs one of my biggest puzzlements. People think Burke is so far away from Boston, but is actually quicker to get to than Sunday River and almost all highway unlike Sunday River. Still boggles my mind how Sunday River gets slammed with Boston Metro traffic driving three hours on clear roads and people think Burke is a further drive when it is actually closer. Herd mentality and all I guess. Hijack over, now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

 

[deadheadskier]

The conditions would have to be just about right. Mapquest calls for 3:27 and a length of 177 miles. I wouldn't consider mapquest the source, but I would say 3.5 is more realistic than 3.

I live in Portland and I'm typically on the lift in 1:40 when I go to the River. I do spend a solid 15 minutes getting to 95N from where I am in town though. Quickest I've ever made it from Boston to here is 1:30.

You just can't plan on 3 hours in my opinion though. There are plenty of sections on 26 where if you get caught behind a slow driver, you can be screwed for many miles.

 

[Vortex]

I leave boston sometimes on friday and I make it to the River in just about 3 if I'm ahead of rush hour. 95 route. Not really speeding no stop for anything.

Nashua to the River is 180 miles a little further north and west. everett turnpike to 93 to 3 to 115 to 2 Takes 3.15 usually with a stop for gas.

 

[tcharron]

Sunday River says on its website that its only 3 hours from boston. is that true? i would think it would be longer. if it is true, then ill be heading there tomorrow for a day trip.

It's possible, from the outskirts. From in the city, I'd say three and a half. And that's no traffic. About an hour and a half on I95, and your over half way there.

 

[MichaelJ]

Also, note that the new exit ramps and connector called Rte 26A have had a considerable impact on the drive, as you no longer have to maneuver through the traffic lights in the middle of Gray. That alone used to take 10 minutes or more.

 

[loafer89]

The Maine border from my house is about 2hours 15 minutes away. Beware that the section of the Maine Turnpike prior to the Gray toll booth is a known speeding trap. I have never had any trouble in Maine, but have seen alot of people pulled over on that section.

It takes me about 4 hours and 15 minutes to get to Sunday River, but I do not live anywhere near Boston.

 

[skididdie]

alright, alright......i went up to SR today. from haverhill ma it took me 2hrs 45min. traffic was fine on 95 but i got caught up with some slow drivers on 26. i mean cars were going below yeah.....BELOW the speed limit. that is a big NO NO to skiers.....anyways the ride was good, the mountain was awsome!!! its a lot more challenging than the other mountains ive skied of late (Sunappe, W.V., Loon, Cranmore) ive also realized that i cannot ski un-groomed trails. i tried a couple and i felt like i was doing rodeo bull riding. but a fun day nontheless. i will definately go back. thanks to everyone that responded to my post. AZ ROCKS!!!!!

 

[Vortex]

Glad you have fun. Be careful.. you could become a regular.

 

[ctenidae]

We did it in a solid 3, maybe 3.15, certainly no more than 3.30 two weeks ago. We rated it as "just on the edge" of day tripability, mostly because of how early you have to get going to get the required skiing time in, and we didn't know where to stop for breakfast.