Best Route from Boston and estimated time

[sgottmann]

I have a friend coming from Boston. What is the best route and how long should it take. Thanks.

[noski]

Others will chime in, but for the first time, I suggest 93>89, VT exit 9. http://www.madrivervalley.com/vermon...x.asp?contid=6 We have directions and suggested shortcuts.

[djd66]

Exit 9 is fine,.... if you want to save about 15-20 minutes take exit 5, left off the ramp, go to the end of the road, and take the road behind the Mobil station (lovers Lane), go to the end of Lovers lane and Take a left onto VT 12A. Follow for 5 miles and take a right on Warren Mountain Road. Follow Warren Moutntain Roadd to the end and Take a left to Warren Village. Not sure what the conditions are like right now, we take this road 90% of the time. (yeah we have 4x4 + studded snows) Great views, fun road,... take at your own risk though.

[noski]

Exit 9 is fine,....15-20 minutes take exit 5, left off the ramp...

(psst, it's exit 4, Williamstown. Exit 5 is Randolph)

[win]

No Exit 4 is Randolph and the correct one to take. Exit 5 is Williamstown.

[skierdon]

Just another word of warning- Roxbury Gap can be an adventurous route even with 4wd. Also much easier to get lost in the dark vs. exit 9-100. I always send first-time visitors to exit 9.

That being said, Roxbury Gap is my preferred route from Boston as long as roads are manageable. Sometimes I'll also take exit 3 to Bethel Mountain Road and some swear exit 3 to 107 to 100 is quicker.

[atkinson]

Exit 5 Northfield is another option. Get down to 12, through Northfield to Northfield Falls, left at Cox Brook Rd, straight to Rt 100B in Moretown Village. This one can save some time if Roxbury Gap is a little too much. Moretown Gap is pretty gentle comparatively.

All the way to Exit 9 is generally the safest bet if weather is a major issue.

[sgottmann]

Thanks -- I will lay out the options. Looking forward to my first turns tomorrow am. Can't wait!

[Windshield Ski Bum]

The Roxbury Gap is only time a savings if you are going to Warren. If Waitsfield or Fayston is your destination, then Exit 9 is shorter.

[Hawk]

I have done them all many many times and have found on average with good weather exit 5 to Roxbury Gap is quicker to the mountain than exit 4. I always end up behind the slow guy in Randolph.

FYI - if this person lives North of Boston near Rt. 95 and is leaving on Friday night between 3 and 7 then it is quicker to go up 95 to Rt. 101 across to Manchester, NH. You miss the traffic jam on 93 and have clear sailing with no traffic. It's at least 20 minutes shorter most days.

[teleo]

I have done them all many many times and have found on average with good weather exit 5 to Roxbury Gap is quicker to the mountain than exit 4. I always end up behind the slow guy in Randolph.

We must drive at different times. I usually stick with exit 4 because I get stuck behind someone on exit 5. Go figure. But they are pretty close time-wise.

On the way back on Sun evening I've found the gas station in Randolph consistently has a better selection of hot coffee than the Mobile near exit 5. But I'm sure that depends on timing too.

Also, depending on where you're leaving Boston from, Rt 3 has less traffic problems than 93 on fri evening too.

[Xskier]

I am on the access road and I have found through 15 years experience, that Bethel Mountain Road and the gap Exit 5 are essentially the same amount of time. Maybe the gap is 1 or 2 minutes faster. Exit 3 to 107 to 100 is not the fastest. Its 5-10 minutes slower than the fastest options and its really easy to miss the 100N fork in the road. Time and time again i get calls that my friends have gone all the way to Killington. I've even done it myself in snowstorms. After Exit 9, Exit 3 to 107 to 100 is next easiest as long as you don't miss that turn!!

[noski]

No Exit 4 is Randolph and the correct one to take. Exit 5 is Williamstown.

Oh yea... look at that, it is. Good thing I know the way.

[HowieT2]

I am on the access road and I have found through 15 years experience, that Bethel Mountain Road and the gap Exit 5 are essentially the same amount of time. Maybe the gap is 1 or 2 minutes faster. Exit 3 to 107 to 100 is not the fastest. Its 5-10 minutes slower than the fastest options and its really easy to miss the 100N fork in the road. Time and time again i get calls that my friends have gone all the way to Killington. I've even done it myself in snowstorms. After Exit 9, Exit 3 to 107 to 100 is next easiest as long as you don't miss that turn!!

I come up from NY so I'm not going to weigh in on the fastest route debate, except to say that going through the granville gulf on 100N is a pretty spectacular entrance to the MRV.

[Hawk]

I have done them all many many times and have found on average with good weather exit 5 to Roxbury Gap is quicker to the mountain than exit 4. I always end up behind the slow guy in Randolph.

We must drive at different times. I usually stick with exit 4 because I get stuck behind someone on exit 5. Go figure. But they are pretty close time-wise.

On the way back on Sun evening I've found the gas station in Randolph consistently has a better selection of hot coffee than the Mobile near exit 5. But I'm sure that depends on timing too.

Also, depending on where you're leaving Boston from, Rt 3 has less traffic problems than 93 on fri evening too.

I agree about Rt 3 for metro West travelers. It's 128 that kills you getting there.