The Tappan Zee "Funnel"
 

It appears that many of us leave/arrive-at the lake having used the Tappan Zee Bridge, which funnels traffic around New York City.

There are several options to get to the Tappan Zee Bridge: I-91, I-93, I-84, Wilbur Cross, Mass Pike (90) + I-87. The in-laws use NH's Route 9 through Vermont. (I think I've used them all over the years -- even I-95).

Some hours-estimates "From the Lake" to the Tappan Zee Bridge — and what routes were taken — might be handy. I think 4½ hours would be very good time, including one stop.

Incidentally, Grant, I've missed that sneaky I-84 intersection too — but heading I-87 southbound!

That route should be kept secret!
 

Mapquest.com suggests that from Paulding Ave, Irvington, NY (a town directly adjacent to New England side of Tappanzee Bridge is 282 miles from just Gilford NH ( no street name). If you know of a route that will bring you to the bridge in about 4 hrs with a stop, that would be a valuable asset.

From just below Bridgeport, CT during non rush hours I do the trip in 4 hrs +/-, but no stops for 254 miles. I find I can stretch my engines legs doing the highways more than just direct routes, so I take 90, 290, 495 to 93 N then get off Lakes Region exit (29?) past the toll booth. The part of the trip that you have no time control over is the local roads to Gilford.

Best time from Northern NJ
 

Leaving Clifton, NJ at 6:30 am most days, I can usually make it to Alton Bay, NH (specifically Sandy Point) in 5 hours flat, providing there are no traffic delays and 1 quick pit stop in Conn at the rest area on 84 at just past Exit 69. The route I take is the Garden State Parkway north to the NY line (12 miles) and from there the NY Thruway across the Tappan Zee Bridge and then 287 to the Merritt Pkwy, to 91N, 84E, Mass. Pike to 495 (especially since 290 is under construction), then 3 North to Everett Tpke., 93 to Exit 15 in Concord. From there, 393 to 4/9/202, take the shortcut thru Chichester at the light just past Meyers RV's avoiding the Epsom Circle, and 28N to 11 at the Alton Circle. The trip is approx. 308 miles. I try to keep the cruise control at 68 mph on 84 and also on 495, which also lets me stretch my legs a bit. This route seems to be the best when travelling during the week either before or after the rush hour. I know taking 290 thru Worcester cuts off 7 miles, but the construction has slowed me down when I've tried it even during mid-morning. Now that EZ Pass has arrived in NH I don't have to stop to pay tolls or fish tokens out of the ash tray for the entire 300 mile trip.

I have been following an old trip tick from AAA for many years and take 684 from 287 and get on 84 near Danbury. We are about 350 miles total and the best time we ever make is 6 1/2 to 7 hours from Central NJ. I84 always seems endless. Our final destination is Meredith. Anything that you think would be faster would love to know about it.

My record is 7 hours from Pitman NJ (far south) 400 miles(in a rented vehicle and no boat) . That was using the NJTP to the GSPKWY then follow gh's route for the most part. Most times it takes 71/2 to 8 hours , or at least that is what I plan on.

We use the Whitestone or Throgs Neck Bridge
 

The old route was Whitestone,Hutch, 684,84,90,290,495, rt 3-293-93 and it would take 5 1/2 hrs to get there ( we would leave 530am and get off the highway about 1030-1045 includes 3 stops 84 near Mass , Mass Pike exit9,10 Charlton Plaza and Manchester plaza on rt 93 and get to weirs at 1045.

Now we take Whitestone, Hutch, 95,rt 7 < i think it was 7>, Wilbur Cross, 91,84, 90,290,495 and 3-293-93 and it saves about 15 mins ( 530am-1015am). We like the new way because we dont stay one 1 road too long which made it drag for us.

Note - I dont drive Dad does

I commute the NYC route. I use various routes, but generally take I84 to I684 to Saw Mill Pkwy. From the Saw Mill I can either take the Tappen Zee to the Palisades to the NJTPK, or I stay on the Saw Mill to the Henry Hudson to the George Washington Bridge. I usually cross into Manhattan and across the GWB at 55+, and have never been delayed by traffic, even 5pm Fri night. Alternately, I take I91 to the Wilbur Cross to the Merritt, to Hutchison to the Cross County to Saw Mill to Herny Hudson to the GWB.

I split my northward trips between the Tappan Zee and the GWB. To access the GWB, I use Route 46E or I95. In either case, I can change and use Tappan Zee via Palisades if the entry to the bridge is jammed.

This allows a day trip to NC.

Well now, THIS is interesting
 

Comparing a trip to the Lake from Newburgh, NY (Tappan Zee) and New Paltz, NY (just north of Tappan Zee) results in only a 2-minute difference; however, the Mapquest routings are very different.

I'm wondering if changing from the I-84 corridor (Hartford) to the I-90 corridor (Springfield/Mass Pike) isn't worth the approximate 5-10 minutes "lost". After a few minutes thinking about it, I'm certain that it is!

Interstate-84 (thru Hartford) was at its speedy-best only after midnight, though motorcycles will weave through frightened drivers.

OTOH, the Mass Pike is a nice, scenic ride when running its full length from the NY border to I-495 (or I-290 when it's ready).

Mapquest shows five hours and 18 minutes from Tappan Zee to Lake Winnipesaukee. How does "their" time compare with "our" experience?

Using the Mass Pike with one stop—I'm fairly sure I'm beating that time by a ½-hour.