Route from Buffalo to Cape Cod

Travelling over two days - would like advice on a scenic route and a stopover place..any suggestions?

Route from Buffalo to Cape Cod

We live in Buffalo %26amp; travel to the Cape frequently to see my mom. Do you want to avoid the New York State Thruway altogether? Do you want to break the trip up into two equal parts, or doesn%26#39;t that matter?

Route from Buffalo to Cape Cod

it%26#39;ll take us about 2 1/2 hrs. to get to Buffalo and it looks like about 8+ hrs. from Buffalo to Chatham, Cape Cod. So I think if we could find someplace around 4-5 hrs. from Buffalo, we would then just have a 3-4 hr. drive on our second day. How much extra time would it add if we avoided the thru way? Maybe we could go down via the thru way and come back more leisurely? If the time added is negligible, I would like to avoid the thru way but not sure what route we would take.

I think your driving time estimate from Bufallo to Chatham may be a little light. It takes 8 hours from Buffalo to Boston, then another nearly 2 hours to get to Chatham. You can cut a little off by taking I-495 and then going ';up'; the Canal when you get to Cape Cod, but you won%26#39;t save THAT much. I would say at least 9 hours, probably more.

thanx...then we probably would like to get a good part of the driving done on the first day...say about 5-6 hrs. from Buffalo which would be a total of about 8-9 hours from our home.

That puts you in Western Massachusetts, where the Berkshire Hills are located. Nice, beautiful area. Towns include Stockbridge, Lee, and Great Barrington. That a great place to have dinner and stay over.

Actually (maybe it%26#39;s because we stop more often along the way), it takes us about 9-1/2 hours to get to Harwich from Buffalo, and that%26#39;s via the Thruway. Any other route is going to add significantly to your drive time.

You might think about stopping in Sturbridge, MA (exit 9 off the Mass Pike, I think), and staying at the Publick House on the common (http://www.publickhouse.com). It%26#39;s an historic inn (18th century), great food, and lovely views -- I used to live right across the road. Be sure to pick up some treats from the bakery before you leave. If you have time, you can then visit Old Sturbridge Village, a ';living history'; museum depicting American life during the period 1790-1840.

It would take you about 2-1/2 hours to get from Sturbridge to Chatham.

And I second the recommendation that you take 495 and skirt the traffic around Boston. It%26#39;s a much more scenic %26amp; relaxing route.

We have been doing the trip to Cape Cod every year from the Toronto area. I agree that QEW/NYThru/ Mass Turnpike/ 495 is the way to go. We tend to be on the road for about 8 hours the first day and 4 hours the second day. You might want to consider Howe Caverns, not far from Albany, if you like caves. We enjoyed an overnight there a few years ago. You need to start off early and get there early in the afternoon, about seven hours from Toronto.

We have also stayed at the start of the Mass Pike in Lee and Stockbridge. Very pretty in the Berkshires. Paid several visits to Sturbridge Village which is a fair bit further to drive on the first day, may get there too late to see anything.

These days we tend to stop around Albany, check into our motel, find a nice place for dinner, watch some TV back in the room and retire to bed. Have some breakfast earlt the next morning and get going for the last few hours until we reach our beloved Cape.

Thanks..do you have a fav place in Lee or Stockbridge?

The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge is the most well-regarded.