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_tiredTeacher's avatar
_tiredTeacher
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2018

Updated: Wilkes-Barre to Freeport

Since I updated my original posting and changed my route to allow DW to visit the Quilt Museum in Lowell, I figured to be more clear and not confuse the nice folks trying to help, I'd start a new thread.

We are going up Rt.15 to I-81 stopping over in Wilkes-Barre. Our next stop is at Boston Minuteman CG in Littleton, Mass., near Lowell. From there we are traveling to Freeport, Maine, to visit L.L. Bean (staying at Cedar haven CG). Then off to Bar Harbor for a week.

I'm interested in tapping local knowledge of the best routes from Wilkes-Barre to Littleton and Littleton to Freeport.

Thanks for all the help so far,
Teach
Roads and Routes
  • _tiredTeacher's avatar
    _tiredTeacher
    Explorer II
    Jul 24, 2018
    dedmiston wrote:
    You might want to send him/her a PM, because the odds of this getting her/his attention all these months later are probably slim. But I've been wrong before. :)

    Thanks, I'll do that.
  • dedmiston's avatar
    dedmiston
    Moderator
    Jul 24, 2018
    'tiredTeacher wrote:
    K Charles wrote:
    84 - 691 - 91 - 84 - 90 - 495 fest you to Littleton.

    I hope this thread bump gets your attention. For some reason Google Maps has me getting off 84 onto Rt. 6 (exit30)then back on 84 near Milford, PA. It won't let me "force" its routing to stay on 84. Anything going on I84 near the border with NJ?

    You might want to send him/her a PM, because the odds of this getting her/his attention all these months later are probably slim. But I've been wrong before. :)
  • _tiredTeacher's avatar
    _tiredTeacher
    Explorer II
    Jul 24, 2018
    K Charles wrote:
    84 - 691 - 91 - 84 - 90 - 495 fest you to Littleton.

    I hope this thread bump gets your attention. For some reason Google Maps has me getting off 84 onto Rt. 6 (exit30)then back on 84 near Milford, PA. It won't let me "force" its routing to stay on 84. Anything going on I84 near the border with NJ?
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2018
    290 through Worchester has been fixed somewhat and we take it if it isn't drive time for workers. Evening traffic might make me stay on 90.
    691 is better road, less exits and not any further distance the 84 thru Hartford. I would never go thru Hartford if I didn't have to.
  • GeoBoy's avatar
    GeoBoy
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2018
    Wife is a avid quilter, had to go to Lowell, museum was a disappointment. Heading to Paducah this spring. Bar Harbor is always great.
  • _tiredTeacher's avatar
    _tiredTeacher
    Explorer II
    Jan 20, 2018
    mkc wrote:
    290 runs through Worchester, Mass and can get pretty congested at times. We've done it twice but prefer to stay on 90 all the way to 495.
    The suggested 84-691-91-84 loops around Hartford, while staying on 84 goes right through.

    Now that's good to know. The distance/time is about the same.

    Thanks,
    Teach
  • mkc's avatar
    mkc
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2018
    'tiredTeacher wrote:

    2) Another member suggested taking 290 to cut the corner over to 495. Your thoughts?


    290 runs through Worchester, Mass and can get pretty congested at times. We've done it twice but prefer to stay on 90 all the way to 495.

    The suggested 84-691-91-84 loops around Hartford, while staying on 84 goes right through. Have not taken the loop ourselves as we typically do NYS Thruway to Masspike, but we did 84 for the first time in years last summer and hated going through Hartford. We'd consider the bypass if we did happen to be on that route in the future.
  • _tiredTeacher's avatar
    _tiredTeacher
    Explorer II
    Jan 20, 2018
    K Charles wrote:
    84 - 691 - 91 - 84 - 90 - 495 fest you to Littleton.

    May I ask two questions? 1) Why get off 84 on 691/91 as an alternate to just staying on 84?
    2) Another member suggested taking 290 to cut the corner over to 495. Your thoughts?
    I always assume folks have reasons for their preferences and these don't show up on maps.

    Teach

    PS Make that 3 questions. How much of Rt.1 from Freeport to Bar Harbor is worth/advisable to drive?
  • _tiredTeacher's avatar
    _tiredTeacher
    Explorer II
    Jan 20, 2018
    Thanks mucho guys.
    Stay tuned. I'll need help getting from Freeport to Center Harbor, NH, then on to Saratoga Springs. I'll start a new thread for that segment of the trip.

    Thanks again,
    Teach
  • Crowe's avatar
    Crowe
    Explorer
    Jan 17, 2018
    Littleton, Mass., near Lowell.

    Just a head's up, it might only be 15 miles but it can take you anywhere from 20 minutes to easily an hour or two. Just make sure you plan enough time.

    Clouddriver is correct-just go north on 495-it dead ends at 95 in NH. Take 95 north to 295 and take one of the three exits that go to Freeport. There are signs.

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