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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » Driving Northern Ohio to East Greenwich, RI on Mon 27th

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Dec. 26, 2010 12:22 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

I am headed out in the morning (Mon. Dec 27th) with my wife to my S-I-L's place in Rhode Island.
How bad is the weather and roads out there?
The things I read online seems to be all hype about bad weather but I wondered what the wisdom of GRM had to say about it all?

Planned route:
East out of OH and through much of PA on I-80
North on I-81 to Scranton, PA Continue East on I-84
I-691 thru Meriden, CT
I-691 to 66 to 9
9 to I-95 and finish just off I-95

I chose this route to avoid NYC.
Thoughts and road conditions.
Traveling in 2010 Ford Escape.
Dec. 26, 2010 12:59 p.m. sachilles Dork

The storm is really just starting. No way to know how bad it will be. However, that part of new england isn't always well suited to deal with that weather. Vehicle choice makes less of a difference than tire choice. Unless you have a little mountain with a snowflake symbol on your tires, they aren't well suited for snow and ice even if they are called "all season" tires, so take care on the roads and make sure to allow for plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. They will do their best to keep the interstates well maintained but know you may need to slow down for the conditions. Planning for extra time on the trip would be wise.
Dec. 26, 2010 1:32 p.m. Woody SuperDork

Skip 91 South in Connecticut.

691 becomes 66 just past Meriden, then take 9 South to 95. You'll miss all the New Haven traffic congestion.
Dec. 26, 2010 1:56 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

Now that is the kind of advice I am looking for! Thanks! Edited above.

I was originally trying to stay with the bigger roads but it does not look like 66 is that bad. Seems like maybe 5-6 miles of smaller road.

Also agree on the tires and slower advice. The car is a company car and the OEM Michelin Latitude Tour tires are okay but agreed not winter tires. At 18k miles they are still good tread. I did not mention that the car is a 4wd because I know that matters very little on hyw driving and I too snicker at the SUV's in the ditches who think they are invincable.
Dec. 26, 2010 2:35 p.m. sachilles Dork

Yeah, I work at a ski resort and I often see the invincible suv's in a ditch, because the owner doesn't realize that 4 wheel drive does not equal 4 wheel stop. Snow tires make a huge difference.
Dec. 26, 2010 2:38 p.m. Woody SuperDork

66 is about 8 miles at 45 mph and a handful of traffic lights. 9 South is a very nice little rural highway (almost interstate quality) with zero traffic and is a much more direct route Southeastern Connecticut, plus you avoid the dreaded Q-Bridge.
Dec. 26, 2010 3:55 p.m. triumph5 Dork

It's 4:50, and howling here in cental ct river valley area. Knowing how well Ct plows the back-roads/side roads, I'd stick with any major road on your trip. It's supposed to e howling out there tomorrow morning. Judging from what's going on now, and what's on the radar, start your trip as late as you can. You're going to have blowing snow all the way. Me. much as I don't like it, I'd head toward I-95, simply because it gets plowed much better than the side state-run highways.

I think regardless of what route you choose, you're in a lose, lose situation with this weather. Listen to your radio often on the way...

I live off route 9, and it's always a mess in any kind of snow. The state leaves it to last to clear.

Check with: NBCconnecticut.com

or

WTNH.com

both are TV stations here with links to the roadway cameras to see what the conditions are before you leave.
Dec. 26, 2010 5:20 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

Feel free to throw me some mid-day updates here (or PM) and I can check them from the road. In good weather it seems to be a 12 hr trip. We will head out about 7am so we will not be into CT until late afternoon.

I will take your advice and if the interstate is bad I will skip Rt9.
Dec. 26, 2010 9:48 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

Stay safe bro
Dec. 27, 2010 6:54 a.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

Off a little late but headed out in about 30 minutes or roughly 8:30am.
Dec. 27, 2010 6:57 a.m. TRoglodyte Reader

Can't ad much about route choice, I would recommend a cheap CB radio for up to the minute info on road conditions though.
Dec. 27, 2010 7:03 a.m. DeadSkunk HalfDork

You sure driving to the northeastern part of the country makes sense today? 6 states have declared a state of emergency already.
Dec. 27, 2010 7:22 a.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

I am shooting for Scranton and will evaluate from there.
Seems that the states of Emergency are for snow that has fallen. I will not get to these snow filled places until the afternoon and by then they should have had half the day to address issues.
Dec. 27, 2010 7:54 a.m. Brotus7 Reader

Still snowing in ct and no real signs if it letting up if you're in the central ct snow band which happens to follow rt 9 if you look at the map.

66 won't be that bad. Middletown has a lot of plows and that's a main artery for thee city.
Dec. 27, 2010 9:46 a.m. michaelat53 New Reader

I drove west to OH on I-80 and it was snowing pretty hard last night (Dec. 26). It lets up, though, as you head south and westward toward Columbus and Cincinnati.
Dec. 27, 2010 9:53 a.m. triumph5 Dork

11 am: You're going to have your hardest time at the NY/CT border, as there's over a foot of snow there. Good luck, although the plows will have had time to clear the roads.
It has stopped snowing from west to eastern ct, with an occasional band coming through. By the time you get around here, roads should be OK. Just watch the wind, it is brutally strong. 25-30mph sustained with much higher gusts. Watch out for "ground blizzards" from the blowing snow. Parts of the local roads are barren, and other have 2 ft drifts.

Two hands on the wheel, radio to traffic channels, stick to the main roads, even Rt 9 should be OK. You are in for a long day. And you're not reading this and driving at the same time, right? Your SIL owes you big time on this one.
Dec. 27, 2010 9:56 a.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

In Youngstown. Oh and no weather yet
Dec. 27, 2010 10:29 a.m. pilotbraden Reader

DeadSkunk wrote:

You sure driving to the northeastern part of the country makes sense today? 6 states have declared a state of emergency already.

It keeps the amateurs out of your way.
Dec. 27, 2010 12:12 p.m. triumph5 Dork

In reply to pilotbraden: And the body shops in business
Dec. 27, 2010 1:06 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

Past state college,pa. There is zero snow on the ground here
Dec. 27, 2010 3:00 p.m. triumph5 Dork

4pm. Just drove a bit on RT9, and on I-95 in Old Saybrook, CT. Both are open--some snow blowing across the road from time to time--wisps, but that's about it for snow.
THE WIND: watch out, especially on any bridge. Watch out while crossing the CT river, not bad; but, the Goldstar bridge from new London to Groton is probably going to be a hold-on-to-the-wheel event. Slow down.
Sunny out. cold as hell, the further east you get, once past NYC, and 30miles into CT, the easier it should get. Let us all know you've arrived in one piece. If I hear anything more, I'll post.--Bob
Dec. 27, 2010 4:43 p.m. triumph5 Dork

5:40 Wind has gotten stronger, not weaker as was thought.
Dec. 27, 2010 8:09 p.m. Mazdax605 HalfDork

Was in E. Greewich today,and also Kingston. Roads were mostly fine,but the winds were crazy on the interstates. Also had some drifting on the highway in places in MA on my way home.

You should be fine.

Chris
Dec. 27, 2010 10:17 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

One word: Easy.
From Scranton to the NY boarder on I-84 there was some snow on the road and some really light flurry. Aside from that the Interstates were dry about 90% of the time. When I say dry I actually mean that, not even moisture on the road - dry. The trip would have been worse on a warm summer day because then I would have had construction to deal with. On my GPS unit my moving average speed was 69.5 mph. All in all, traffic was "brisk". I was never the lead vehicle and typically moved with a pack of 2-6 other cars at the 70-80 range.
Yes, there was some wind but nothing I would call obscene. I have only had this Ford Escape for 8 months (and 19k miles) but it feels sure footed and it not too affected by cross winds.
Traffic was light all day and got lighter as the day continued. At about 7:30pm I entered Rt9. I saw about 4 cars in total while traveling from Meridan to I-95. Typically there I had the road all to myself. Once on I-95 it remained light and along with a Volvo V70, I made some quick (though in control) times across CT.
Twelve hours door to door which included 4 stops for self/wife/dog/gas.

Thanks for the help guys.
I will check back in before my New Years Day return trip.
Dec. 28, 2010 7:32 a.m. triumph5 Dork

Glad to hear it.. Enjoy.

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