We'll be vacationing in the New Haven CT area and I'm looking for recommendations on how to get to the Hamilton NJ supercharger from New Haven for our return trip (we will arrive via a different route). I know I'll need to stop at a CT supercharger before Hamilton, but which one and then what's the best way to get from there to Hamilton? Just follow the Tesla nav directions or go off-script? Recommendations before 8/1 will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks kindly. Bill
That's 189 miles and should be doable in an 85 if you keep your speed down and don't hit traffic.
Since you're going through the NYC metro region you can't assume anything...
When Tesla put the superchargers on I95 I complained because it is such a congested highway.
As I told them "no one goes that way it is too crowded...". I'd cut over from I95 to the Merritt Pkwy
just around Milford, CT since the Merritt is usually better traffic-wise and the Greenwich SC is the
most southerly one (by a few miles, so it is negligent).
(Look ahead on the maps and decide which route is smoother, continuing south on the Merritt or taking I95 to the Darien, CT SC, a good navigator helps here).
In general the Merritt will be the best way to go but I've seen horrible road closures on the Merritt.
Once you get your charge in Darien or Greenwich your route will depend on what time of day and day of the week...
If you're heading towards NYC during rush hour "fagetaboutit"
I'm going to assume this is a weekday after rush hour or a weekend...
There are two ways to go, Tappan Zee or George Washington Bridge. I prefer the latter because it is shorter but it can be busier. Again this is where a good navigator can help.
Anyway, assuming you're coming down the Merritt take I287 W to the Tappan Zee. (I287 continues west and goes a bit north and then you get on the Garden State Pwky and head slightly EAST...which drives me nuts so I hate this way).
If I'm ever stuck taking the Tappan Zee I get off immediately after crossing the bridge and take 9W south to the Palisades Interstate Pkwy to I95 S....but people call me an extremist...
For the GWB continue on the Merritt to the Hutchinson River Pkwy (same road, the name changes)
to the Cross County Pkwy to the Saw Mill River Pkwy to the Henry Hudson Pkwy (same road, the name changes).
This goes right under the bridge and gets you on at the last instant before NJ but there is an extra toll on the Henry Hudson.
I'll leave it to the navigator to get you the rest of the way...
I drive from Boston to Philly regularly and grew up in northern NJ and used to commute to not far from Greenwich, CT!
I love all those roads...
Have fun!
/Ed
PS: The New Jersey Turnpike stinks in the summer. If you're stuck in traffic and far enough south to cut over to Route 1 (where it parallels the Turnpike) you may want to take this way, speed limit about 50 or 55 with some lights but I much prefer that over not moving. Again, navigator comes in handy