Leaving Boston on a Tuesday really should be fine, unless you are talking about the Tuesday after Labor Day. I drove back to DC last Monday and the only bad traffic we hit was the DC beltway. We went through NYC on the GW bridge at around 1 pm and it was totally clear. I was prepared to take the TZ, and usually do, but google maps showed the GW as the faster route so we went for it.

I've moved 2 kids in and the actual move in goes pretty fast. Usually schools are well set up for move in with rolling carts, or student helpers, that help the process of unloading go very quickly. Both my kids colleges worked pretty hard to keep the cars moving in front of the dorms. We were parked for no more than 30 mins at each. Once you've got everything in the room and bed made the actual unpacking tends to be pretty quick as well. Then you will need the obligatory trip to Target or a similar store (I'd opt for Target if you can because they tend to have all the dorm necessities well organized - search for one near your DDs college).

Don't plan on spending the last evening with your DD. You need to make a clean break. One of my kids schools basically had a farewell reception for the parents the afternoon of move in day to reinforce that message.

Drive AROUND NYC, not through it. Do not go 95 all the way. You want take take the Tappan Zee Bridge that is north of Manhattan and then use I-684 and 84 to get to the Mass Pike.

I-95 pass through so many college towns in New England that your trip will take hours longer than it should if you use it on a big move-in weekend.

Anonymous wrote:Boston traffic is hellish any time of year. WAY worse than DC. Just be zen and maintain calm. She will get there and moved in. Then take your spouse to the beautiful legal seafoods right on the water downtown.

Not true. DC ranks ahead of Boston wrt bad traffic.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/america-back-on-the-road-to-gridlock-according-to-the-inrix-national-traffic-scorecard-117571773.html

Anonymous wrote:We always leave at 5 am which usually gets us to NYC around 930, which is after rush hour.

If you are driving a uhaul DO NOT drive it on Storrow Drive. It happens every year....every year

http://www.yelp.com/topic/boston-student-rented-truck-caught-under-overpass-on-storrow-drive

I grew up in the Boston area in the 1970's and early 80's and radio stations had contests. Which bridge, which school and which day. Can't believe 30-40 years later it is still happening.

I think it's hysterical that packing lists still tell kids to pack and iron and ironing board.

I visited my brother once over move in weekend in boston. Traffic basically sucks all wknd long

Anonymous wrote:OP here .. Thank you!! DH wants to fly and ship her stuff but I don't see that being realistic or cost effective at all. Ugh.. Mentally preparing for an emotional and stressful few days.

Don't feel like you need to pack every last thing if there's too much stuff. If you need to buy new things a lot can be sent directly there. There are also Bed, Bath, and Beyonds/Ikea up there. (Also, "college.")

Anonymous wrote:I'd recommend driving up Friday. Move in weekend in Boston can be absolutely insane. Streets blocked by moving trucks and cars, traffic, people driving in an unfamiliar city...I'm having flashbacks of the madness of move in weekend in Boston.

+1

The population of Boston & Cambridge swells by 250,000 people during the school year. Most schools have similar move in weekends. Go EARLY and get a hotel room.

OP here .. Thank you!! DH wants to fly and ship her stuff but I don't see that being realistic or cost effective at all. Ugh.. Mentally preparing for an emotional and stressful few days.

We always leave at 5 am which usually gets us to NYC around 930, which is after rush hour.

If you are driving a uhaul DO NOT drive it on Storrow Drive. It happens every year....every year

http://www.yelp.com/topic/boston-student-rented-truck-caught-under-overpass-on-storrow-drive

Just leave Sunday morning. You will avoid rush hours in all cities.

Boston traffic is hellish any time of year. WAY worse than DC. Just be zen and maintain calm. She will get there and moved in. Then take your spouse to the beautiful legal seafoods right on the water downtown.

Just accept you'll get stuck in traffic. Everyone moves over the same weekend. No way to avoid the madhouse so just mentally accept it.

I'd recommend driving up Friday. Move in weekend in Boston can be absolutely insane. Streets blocked by moving trucks and cars, traffic, people driving in an unfamiliar city...I'm having flashbacks of the madness of move in weekend in Boston.

My DD will be a freshman this year at a school on Boston. We need to drive to get her up there with all of her stuff to move in and can drive up on a Sunday. Move in is Monday and we will leave tues - any advice on what time to leave to avoid rush hours in Boston, nyc, and here?? I have driven up there many times but always on weekends. If anyone has any other experience other than driving getting their kids moved in, I would love to hear that too!!