I-84/Garden State Parkway Alternative

I-95 thru Rhode Island, Southern Connecticut and New York City is not something most seasoned I-95 drivers look forward to… but there is an alternative. The route described below is not without issues, but they are far less stressful than taking I-95 directly.

About This Route

This I-84/Garden State Parkway alternative uses multi-lane divided Interstates (I-84, I-684, I-287) and the Garden State Parkway. It passes smaller cities and rural areas, crosses the Tappan Zee Bridge, and rejoins I-95 at the New Jersey Turnpike. The route has issues but is far less stressful, and shorter (237 miles vs. 314 on I-95).

Southbound Details

From Massachusetts I-495 Exit 25 take I-290 west to Worcester.

1. From I-95, take I-495 south (exit 89) to I-290 west.
2. Take I-290 west into the junction of I-90 west.
3. Take I-90 west to the junction of I-84.
4. Take I-84 west thru Hartford, Connecticut to New York State and the junction of and I-684.
5. Take I-684 south to I-287
6. Take I-287 west, over the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Garden State Parkway
7. Take the Garden State Parkway south to The New Jersey Turnpike where you rejoin I-95

Tolls

Tappan Zee Bridge:
Tolls are collected southbound/eastbound only (toward Westchester). Northbound/westbound is free.

Passenger Car Toll Rates:
NY E-ZPass (Standard): $7.25
Non-NY E-ZPass: $12.69
Tolls by Mail (License plate imaging): $12.69

Garden State Parkway
from Exit 172 (Grand Avenue) to Exit 129 (I-95/New Jersey Turnpike)

Passenger Car Toll Rates:
NJ E-ZPass (Standard): $4.50
Cash: :4.80

Trip Totals

Total distance for this alternate route is 237 miles. Total distance if using I-95 is 314 miles.

Along The Way

Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester, in central Massachusetts, is a gritty, livable city with New England history and a lively cultural scene. Driving I‑290 you’ll pass former brick mill buildings, modern redevelopment in the Canal District, and the red‑brick towers of college campuses like WPI and Clark. Glimpses of Union Station’s clock tower and the DCU Center arena rise amid low industrial silhouettes. The highway skirts parks, the Blackstone River canal works, and diverse neighborhoods with restaurants and murals. Expect a mix of working‑class industry, academic energy, and ongoing revitalization-an urban snapshot as you barrel past toward the suburbs.

Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford, Connecticut’s capital, blends 19th‑century brick neighborhoods, insurance-company skyscrapers and cultural landmarks. As you drive I‑84 through the city you’ll pass the compact downtown skyline with the Travelers and Goodwin towers, signs for exits to the gold‑domed State Capitol and Bushnell Park, and the XL Center arena. To the south, tree‑lined streets lead to the Wadsworth Atheneum and the Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe Houses. The highway skirts the Connecticut River, with bridges and industrial waterfront visible on approach. Expect a mix of historic stone and modern glass, churches and parks punctuating an urban, working‑city feel.

Danbury, Connecticut

Danbury, Connecticut, sits in the state’s hilly northwest corner along I‑84, a busy suburban city once famous for hat manufacturing. As you pass through, expect a mix of low‑rise commercial strips, shopping complexes (the Danbury mall area), corporate and industrial parks, and patches of New England woodland. Exit signs point to downtown’s historic district, the Danbury Railway Museum, and Western Connecticut State University. To the north and west you’ll glimpse rolling hills and access roads toward Candlewood Lake. Traffic can be heavy, especially at commuter times, but the drive gives a quick sense of Connecticut’s suburban edge between NYC and the Berkshires.

Tappen Zee Bridge

While passing through on I‑87 you’ll cross the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (commonly called the Tappan Zee Bridge), the modern twin‑span cable‑stayed structure that replaced the mid‑century span. Opened in stages 2017-2018, it carries I‑87/I‑287 across a wide bend of the Hudson between Tarrytown (east) and Nyack (west). From your car you’ll notice tall pylons and harp‑like cables, broad river panoramas, tree‑lined Westchester and Rockland shorelines, and the distant Hudson Highlands. On the south span you can also spot the shared‑use path for pedestrians and cyclists. Traffic moves smoothly, but watch for crosswinds and scenic pull‑offs nearby.

Why Take This Alternate Route?

Take this I-84/Garden State Parkway alternative route to avoid heavy congestion on I-95 through Rhode Island, southern Connecticut, and New York City. This route is shorter—237 miles versus 314 miles on direct I-95—and far less stressful for seasoned travelers.

It relies on multi-lane divided highways (I-84, I-684, and I-287) plus the Garden State Parkway. From Massachusetts, it heads via Worcester, through Hartford and Danbury in Connecticut, crosses the Governor Mario M. Cuomo (Tappan Zee) Bridge over the Hudson River, and rejoins I-95 at the New Jersey Turnpike.

The drive mixes cities, suburbs, and rural stretches that are generally easier than the mainline I-95 path. While not issue-free, it offers a preferable option for most drivers seeking a more manageable trip.

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