Time is winding down.

This is my suggested route: Directions But does not include the 11n shortcut. (see below)

I suggest leaving on Thursday... But if you are leaving on Friday do NOT risk taking the George Washington bridge. If you can leave from Brooklyn or Queens go Verazano Bridge. Yes I realize many of you will have to go South only to go North again... But I speak from experience. IT WILL BE FASTER. In NYC the most direct path doesn't always win.

If you are going the standard route you need to be on the i-95 by 9:00. You get 1 gas break and 1hr lunch (only if you follow my shortcut). Nobody is going to beat my best time (4hrs 30min), especially with guests in the car, so be punctual. There are construction zones that I will tell you how to avoid and will save you up to an hour. If you are leaving Thursday you can meet me in Williamsburg at 8:00am for breakfast and we'll leave together.

Try to average 75mph minimum. If you are traveling 75mph you will be going slower than people in the left lane and I suggest staying to the right. You can safely pass a police officer at 75mph in a 65zone. They are after the people going 80+ so relax! Set your cruise control to 75mph and when in doubt let go of the throttle.

Speedtrap warnings: There are some traps. When you get to the spot where you think you have full visibility of 10miles ahead of you (you'll know it when you see it) beware... the cop is behind you! Be smart, stay 75mph @ blind "no u-turn signs" and look for random brake lights on cars ahead of you. When you get to syracuse (going both ways) you'll see signs for the State Fair... and a warning about a traffic light on the "highway"... Take that as a warning... Even if the light is green there is a police officer on an invisible mound watching. Speed limit here is 45-55.

Along the way if you see strange white line markings on the road look up. If there is a Cesna in the air; they are watching you from above and the cop doesn't have to see you speeding. They calculate your average speed from one line marking to the next based on the time it takes you to cross them. Remember: 75mph! The lines will end soon.

Experts: This route is significantly slower for non-experts

EVERYONE: To save an hour please follow this advisory:
On the i-81n (very soon after getting on) Take exit 194 and get on the 11n. The first Sonoco on the right has the cheapest gas the entirety of your trip. I usually leave home with half a tank and get to this spot on empty so that I can fill up cheap (calculate right or you'll end up empty in the middle of nowhere). Follow the 11n to the 547 where you can get back on the 81n. Congrats: you have just skipped an hours worth of stop and go traffic. The first couple miles of 11n will have some traffic and you'll likely exceed no faster than 25mph. But shortly you'll be allowed to pass and limits will increase (careful, when the road first opens up for passing there is also a cop hiding). The road is windy and fun. The 547 is a true Rally Road. The limit goes from 45 to 55 in some zones; WATCH FOR DEER. and Ladies... remember: It's better to hit a dear than to swerve into a tree or another car! Use your brakes, don't swerve.

Going home it's reversed, exit 217 on the 81s to the 547 to the 11s to the 81s again: Sonoco is now on the left towards the end of your 11s trip. If you are going home on Sunday DO NOT take the 80s. Take 84east instead- to Exit 4e, then 17east to 87s, Pallisades Expwy South to GW bridge... Or if you are bold explore a new route and go 15south or bear mtn (but research first).

Getting on the i-90: Warnings about sharp turn and speed limit on the exit ramp to the i-90 are SERIOUS; you can't see the hairpin until it's too late. I've taken this turn at 75 and I don't care how crazy you are it is NOT FUN. Take the exit and on the ramp stay to the left. Don't pass anyone on the ramp or you will miss your exit! Once you are on the i-90 avoid traveling faster than the flow of traffic especially in Manchester County. (Guaranteed Ticket).