About 10 years ago, when we lived in NJ, we had a trip scheduled to Cape Cod to visit family that lived in Fall River. A hurricane was forecast for our time there and the campground closed. We still went, but just stayed at our family's house (of course the storm never came). I had been up that there before and thought that the Tappan Zee was so far out of the way, so we just stayed on I-95. I was so glad we didn't have trailer with us. I was very comfortable towing our 19' long HTT, but I would not have enjoyed towing that section of I-95 and going over the top of the GWB.
I agree that I-95 to I-287 over the Tappan Z bridge is your best option.
-Michael