Trip: Route advice OH -> Franconia NH

Pheasant Plucker · 02-08-2010, 08:11 AM

Hi Guys,

We're planning a trip to ski with friends in Franconia for Presidents Weekend. Would you mind giving us some advice on the best route?

If we go via 90E: *How is the route from Albany through the Green Mtn. National Forest over to I91N? *Should it be avoided? *(i.e. should we stay on I90E to Springfield and pick up I91N there)

If we go via I91N: *How is the route across to Franconia (302E and 117E)? Would it be better to stay on I90E over to Lowell and up I93?

If we go I80 across Pa, should we connect to I91N, with the same 302 and 117 question as above, or connect with I93N -- my concern here is that I assume traffic will be worse nearer Boston.

I know all the mileages and driving time estimates from Googlemap, so the questions are really for local knowledge -- roads to be avoided for any reason etc. *Of course if a snow storm happens that will play a role also.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

PP

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KD7000 · 02-08-2010, 09:30 AM

Where in Ohio are you starting from?

Taking I-90 through NY is pretty flat and fast, but lots of tolls. Taking 80 through PA is slower, but no tolls. Both routes are boring but 80 is worse.

If the weather is nice, Route 9 through the Green Mountain Forest is freakin' beautiful, curvy and fun. I'd avoid it in crappy weather, through. Trucks take it and can really slow things down.

(at least, that's how Rte. 9 from Bennington to 91 is. I've never actually taken Route 7 to Albany, but I suspect it's similar)

If you take Rte 80, then pickup 84 through CT to 91.

91 North to 302/ 117 East should work fine. No need to come all the way to 93.

cprincipe · 02-08-2010, 09:33 AM

The drive over the Green Mountains is great if the weather is good. If it's snowing it become bat**** crazy. My wife and I drove that route on the holidays and there was a snowstorm and people were driving like lunatics. You get one car off and traffic will back up for miles.

Pheasant Plucker · 02-08-2010, 09:44 AM

Thank you both. We're starting from the Columbus area.

KD7000 · 02-08-2010, 09:51 AM

Looks like the default Google route from Columbus, OH to Franconia, NH should work great, with the only exception being that Rte 7/ Rte 9 cut across the Green Mountain Forest. That part should be weather dependent.

That's quite a bit of travel for a long weekend! Where are you skiing?

Pheasant Plucker · 02-08-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD7000

Looks like the default Google route from Columbus, OH to Franconia, NH should work great, with the only exception being that Rte 7/ Rte 9 cut across the Green Mountain Forest. That part should be weather dependent.

That's quite a bit of travel for a long weekend! Where are you skiing?

Thanks!

Cannon definitely. Bretton Woods possible. We'll leave Wednesday night and put in a few hours to break the journey. If we go on I-90 we would likely stay the night with wife's folks in Erie. If we go I-80, some motel in the middle of PA.

Redthorne · 02-08-2010, 03:22 PM

Whilst you are up in the Whites, if you have time take a drive on the Kancamagus Highway. There are some awesome overlooks and the drive is fun. If it's snowing avoid it though, it's a little twisty. Oh, and fill up before you go, 32 miles with no gas. Just moose.

nhmtns · 02-08-2010, 08:10 PM

I didn't read exactly what routes you're taking, but if you end up on 91 north through Vermont, take exit 17 and follow 302 east to 117 east if you want the scenic route to Franconia. If you want the fastest route, stay on 91 north until exit 19 and follow 93 south to exit 39.

Pheasant Plucker · 02-08-2010, 09:17 PM

WOW just WOW!

Terrific help. Thank you NESIC.

We'll be in a garnet red OB XT with OH plates of course. Wave if you see us.

Edit: And in case you were wondering it is of course 5MT. Nokian tyres on the stocker rims. Too bad we can't show you the gold Rota Torque Summer wheels

nhmtns · 02-09-2010, 05:26 AM

Cool, there's a few OBXT's around here. Mine's black with winter wheels/tires and a custom roof rack fairing.

Snowphun · 02-09-2010, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cprincipe

The drive over the Green Mountains is great if the weather is good. If it's snowing it become bat**** crazy. My wife and I drove that route on the holidays and there was a snowstorm and people were driving like lunatics. You get one car off and traffic will back up for miles.

We're talking about Rt 9, here? It's essentially a two lane road (with lots of passing zones and lanes), a ditched car doesn't do much to the traffic flow IME. Apart from ski area traffic it isn't busy.

KD7000 · 02-09-2010, 11:57 AM

^
Much of Rte. 9 between 91 in Brattleboro and Rte. 100 in Wilmington is 1 lane each side, with passing zones on the hills. I agree it's not busy, but I've been tied up behind trucks and slower traffic for quite some time before. (while trying to maintain a somewhat ambitious speed).

It's a nice road; I might avoid it if it's actually snowing out or has just snowed. Of course, the turnpike might be just as bad in those conditions.

Pheasant Plucker · 02-22-2010, 02:59 PM

Well we're back. Left on Wednesday evening and overnighted in Erie PA to make the Thursday drive 3.5h less arduous. Only adverse weather on the whole trip was rain just starting to freeze as we entered Erie and a white covering on the Sugar Hill, Bath, Woodsville roads on our way back yesterday. We drove back in one shot yesterday. It's 13h door to door if anyone is interested.

We chose not to go over the Green Mountains for this trip, considering the time of year, but we'll definitely do it in the Summer some time to view the scenery.

On Saturday we took a little hike in the White Mountains and ended up at Lonesome Lake. Very pretty indeed with all the trees coated in a layer of sugar frosting.

Thanks again for your encouragement. nhmtns - that's the route we took.

Oh - and - what a lot of Subies we saw

02-08-2010, 08:11 AM	#1
Pheasant Plucker Scooby Newbie Member#: 62198 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Ohio, USA Vehicle: 2008 STI White/Ag	Trip: Route advice OH -> Franconia NH Hi Guys, We're planning a trip to ski with friends in Franconia for Presidents Weekend. Would you mind giving us some advice on the best route? If we go via 90E: How is the route from Albany through the Green Mtn. National Forest over to I91N? Should it be avoided? (i.e. should we stay on I90E to Springfield and pick up I91N there) If we go via I91N: How is the route across to Franconia (302E and 117E)? Would it be better to stay on I90E over to Lowell and up I93? If we go I80 across Pa, should we connect to I91N, with the same 302 and 117 question as above, or connect with I93N -- my concern here is that I assume traffic will be worse nearer Boston. I know all the mileages and driving time estimates from Googlemap, so the questions are really for local knowledge -- roads to be avoided for any reason etc. Of course if a snow storm happens that will play a role also. Thanks for any help you can provide. PP Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

02-08-2010, 09:30 AM	#2
KD7000 Scooby Specialist Member#: 16653 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Central MA Vehicle: 2004 Honda Pilot 2003 Mazda Protege5	Where in Ohio are you starting from? Taking I-90 through NY is pretty flat and fast, but lots of tolls. Taking 80 through PA is slower, but no tolls. Both routes are boring but 80 is worse. If the weather is nice, Route 9 through the Green Mountain Forest is freakin' beautiful, curvy and fun. I'd avoid it in crappy weather, through. Trucks take it and can really slow things down. (at least, that's how Rte. 9 from Bennington to 91 is. I've never actually taken Route 7 to Albany, but I suspect it's similar) If you take Rte 80, then pickup 84 through CT to 91. 91 North to 302/ 117 East should work fine. No need to come all the way to 93. Last edited by KD7000; 02-08-2010 at 09:37 AM.

02-08-2010, 09:17 PM	#9
Pheasant Plucker Scooby Newbie Member#: 62198 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Ohio, USA Vehicle: 2008 STI White/Ag	WOW just WOW! Terrific help. Thank you NESIC. We'll be in a garnet red OB XT with OH plates of course. Wave if you see us. Edit: And in case you were wondering it is of course 5MT. Nokian tyres on the stocker rims. Too bad we can't show you the gold Rota Torque Summer wheels Last edited by Pheasant Plucker; 02-08-2010 at 09:39 PM. Reason: Need to add visuals!

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02-08-2010, 09:33 AM	#3
cprincipe Scooby Newbie Member#: 201222 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Nashua, NH Vehicle: 2007 Impreza 2.5i Grey	The drive over the Green Mountains is great if the weather is good. If it's snowing it become bat**** crazy. My wife and I drove that route on the holidays and there was a snowstorm and people were driving like lunatics. You get one car off and traffic will back up for miles.

02-08-2010, 09:44 AM	#4
Pheasant Plucker Scooby Newbie Member#: 62198 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Ohio, USA Vehicle: 2008 STI White/Ag	Thank you both. We're starting from the Columbus area.

02-08-2010, 09:51 AM	#5
KD7000 Scooby Specialist Member#: 16653 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Central MA Vehicle: 2004 Honda Pilot 2003 Mazda Protege5	Looks like the default Google route from Columbus, OH to Franconia, NH should work great, with the only exception being that Rte 7/ Rte 9 cut across the Green Mountain Forest. That part should be weather dependent. That's quite a bit of travel for a long weekend! Where are you skiing?

02-08-2010, 03:22 PM	#7
Redthorne Scooby Newbie Member#: 103593 Join Date: Dec 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Western Massachusetts Vehicle: 2006 WRX Wagon Ltd Steel Grey Metallic	Whilst you are up in the Whites, if you have time take a drive on the Kancamagus Highway. There are some awesome overlooks and the drive is fun. If it's snowing avoid it though, it's a little twisty. Oh, and fill up before you go, 32 miles with no gas. Just moose.

02-08-2010, 08:10 PM	#8
nhmtns Scooby Guru Member#: 94283 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Mt. Washington Valley, NH Vehicle: '05 OBXT - Stage 2 Min bil är svart	I didn't read exactly what routes you're taking, but if you end up on 91 north through Vermont, take exit 17 and follow 302 east to 117 east if you want the scenic route to Franconia. If you want the fastest route, stay on 91 north until exit 19 and follow 93 south to exit 39.

02-09-2010, 05:26 AM	#10
nhmtns Scooby Guru Member#: 94283 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Mt. Washington Valley, NH Vehicle: '05 OBXT - Stage 2 Min bil är svart	Cool, there's a few OBXT's around here. Mine's black with winter wheels/tires and a custom roof rack fairing.

02-09-2010, 11:57 AM	#12
KD7000 Scooby Specialist Member#: 16653 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Central MA Vehicle: 2004 Honda Pilot 2003 Mazda Protege5	^ Much of Rte. 9 between 91 in Brattleboro and Rte. 100 in Wilmington is 1 lane each side, with passing zones on the hills. I agree it's not busy, but I've been tied up behind trucks and slower traffic for quite some time before. (while trying to maintain a somewhat ambitious speed). It's a nice road; I might avoid it if it's actually snowing out or has just snowed. Of course, the turnpike might be just as bad in those conditions.

02-22-2010, 02:59 PM	#13
Pheasant Plucker Scooby Newbie Member#: 62198 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Ohio, USA Vehicle: 2008 STI White/Ag	Well we're back. Left on Wednesday evening and overnighted in Erie PA to make the Thursday drive 3.5h less arduous. Only adverse weather on the whole trip was rain just starting to freeze as we entered Erie and a white covering on the Sugar Hill, Bath, Woodsville roads on our way back yesterday. We drove back in one shot yesterday. It's 13h door to door if anyone is interested. We chose not to go over the Green Mountains for this trip, considering the time of year, but we'll definitely do it in the Summer some time to view the scenery. On Saturday we took a little hike in the White Mountains and ended up at Lonesome Lake. Very pretty indeed with all the trees coated in a layer of sugar frosting. Thanks again for your encouragement. nhmtns - that's the route we took. Oh - and - what a lot of Subies we saw