I-89 or I-91/93?

Submitted by philly1750 t3_yp81k8 in newhampshire

I often come down to visit New Hampshire from around Montreal Canada and most if not every time that I visit, I take the I-89 (from the Canadian border) all the way down to the 93 and then continue further south. It's the fastest, and most scenic of routes especially I-89 through the Vermont and NH mountains.

I wanted to know however if it's worth trying to take I-91 (from the Canadian border) and then the 93 instead, therefore not using 89 at all. Only thing about this other route is that it's a bit longer in terms of miles and I've heard that it's nothing great scenery wise and can get really boring, except throughout the Franconia notch on 93, but either than that it's not the type of nice scenery that you'd get on 89. Only reason that I sometimes think of taking this alternate route is because the I-89 border crossing often gets very busy and has long delays, whereas the I-91 border crossing is a lot quieter and rarely has delays.

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Neat-Ad11 t1_ivi84re wrote

If you’re concerned about the line at 133/89, take a left at the flashing yellow light just before getting to the US border and follow it over to a tiny border crossing that comes into the US at route 207. You can then follow that to 78 and back to 89. It’s longer, but saves a ton of time. I wouldn’t think crossing at 55/91 would be any better than 89 as far as the wait goes.

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philly1750 OP t1_ivid3w2 wrote

That crossing sounds familiar, I might have used it a while back but I remember it being just as jammed as the 89. And it's not always open either, I believe it closes like at 5 or 6

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Neat-Ad11 t1_ividxxk wrote

Ah. That could be, although it’s really small and usually only has a couple of cars there. Of course I’m broadcasting it on Reddit now so 🤷🏻‍♂️. This summer I came down 55 to 91 and GPS directed me over to Bebe Plain VT. That was also one with no traffic at all.

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philly1750 OP t1_ivirrd6 wrote

I think it was just jammed the time I went because it was labor day, one of the worst times to be crossing the border. Beebe Plain Vermont that one I've never heard of. 91 usually has no traffic either unless it's a big holiday but even then it's never as bad as 87 or 89

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akmjolnir t1_ivjbslp wrote

If you're not in a rush, taking I-91 south through Vermont lets you get off at numerous exits to drive parallel down Route 5. It a much nicer drive through the small towns, and once you get your fill you can usually hop right back on the interstate.

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TheScienceTM t1_ivhw63m wrote

I came down from Montreal on 91 last weekend. Not the most scenic but it was 30 minutes faster than 89 which is good enough for me.

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philly1750 OP t1_ivhy12e wrote

Part of why I don't take 91 is to avoid the A-10 in Quebec as it's a very shitty highway; it's very congested, slow moving, and just a poorly maintained highway in general not to mention all the sharp turns. That's why I just prefer taking the A-35 instead (the highway that leads towards 89), as it's very straight and flat, unlike the 10, but the reason that I mostly like it better is just because of how quiet and dead it is, especially once you pass Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu. It has to be the one of the quietest highway's I've ever driven on in Quebec, you can do 140 km/h really easily on it, whereas on the 10 it's not even possible to do 120 most the time because everyone is only doing 100, even in the left lane.

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tulipinacup t1_ivhz1oo wrote

The last time I took 89 from Quebec a bear ran in front of my car and I had to break harder than I ever had to in my life. It was terrifying! Too much nature for me — never again. It is a beautiful drive though…

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fins4ever t1_ivj9ud2 wrote

I-93 up north is even more beautiful than 89

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tubemaster t1_ivk087t wrote

It is, but once you get south of Plymouth it's just another highway in Central/Southern NH. Still worth seeing the Notch though, but IMO 89 and 91 are overall a better drive.

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Twlightlife t1_ivjhb1a wrote

I89 through Vermont is one of the most beautiful interstate drives you can take. It gets a little boring in NH. I91 has a different kind of scenery, but still interesting. I think you should try I91, spice up your trip!

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tubemaster t1_ivjz8pt wrote

While I-93 is stunning through the Notch, it tends to be more crowded with tourists in BMWs from Lincoln southward so definitely a more stressful drive. Meanwhile, I-89 is quite beautiful going through the mountain pass SE of Lebanon, and all of I-91 in Vermont is super scenic sandwiched between mountains and the Connecticut River, and neither get nearly as much tourist traffic. When I personally make the trip from NEK VT to the Newburyport MA area, I usually go I-91 to I-89 due to these reasons.

Technically it's a few minutes faster to get through the notch, but that is more due to the 70MPH speed limit on I-93 (which is basically a moot point anyway, since most people go 75-80 on all highways around here and cops don't bat an eye)

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lantonas t1_ivkekaj wrote

> all of I-91 in Vermont is super scenic sandwiched between mountains and the Connecticut River

91 doesn't run along the Connecticut until after the 93 interchange.

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djdirectdrive t1_ivi5tk3 wrote

I used to work up by Newport VT and derby line. The lake up there is beautiful. I always like to travel different ways and learn more about the different areas. I recommend mixing it up a bit. Check out the library there too... Gun smugglers were caught there trying to get guns into Canada since the library is in both countries.

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picklehaub t1_ivjo570 wrote

I’ve driven every mile of all three highways at one time or another, 91/93 drives takes you through Franconia Notch which is certainly worth seeing.

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Bunkerhillbilly t1_ivjoz1q wrote

Go in thru Noyan and drive the islands down to meet 89. It’s more miles but zero people are ever there so going thru the border takes less than 5 mins.

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TheMobyDicks t1_ivjyxd6 wrote

Regarding the I-89 border. When I was young (drinking age in that part of Canada being 19) and Molson still brewed Brador, we would go to the Magasin General Store, stock up and stash it in a hidden compartment in my buddy's truck. Never got caught.

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lantonas t1_ivhw09y wrote

89 is the most boring stretch of highway I've ever driven

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philly1750 OP t1_ivhxqfd wrote

Lol what? I love 89 as it's a nice change of scenery for me, as I live in Quebec, a province with notoriously boring and flat highways.

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knottedoaks t1_ivi1ir0 wrote

You need to get out more.

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philly1750 OP t1_ivi3i4v wrote

Right on, if he thinks 89 is the most boring highway than he should try I-90 out in South Dakota or the 401 or 417 in Ontario. Even the 20 and 40 through Eastern Quebec can be pretty brutal.

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djdirectdrive t1_ivi61lk wrote

Drove through the Yukon once... Wasn't anything to look at but hills with moss on them for miles. And an occasional moose

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akmjolnir t1_ivjbm5y wrote

I've done a bunch of Atlantic to Pacific drives, and I-90 through was fairly empty but there were some interesting stops for historical sites, but I-10 through New Mexico is bleak.

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_drjayphd_ t1_ivjvvla wrote

I-81 in Virginia was pretty scenic but there was just so. much. Virginia. Then add in the fact that truckers take that route between Canada and Tennessee instead of using I-95 as a north/south route and you don't really get a chance to appreciate the terrain.

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akmjolnir t1_ivk17ym wrote

Yeah, lots of dead deer along that route from my time making the trips from NC to NH back in the day. The only time I'd do I-95 was if I could leave Camp Lejeune in the evening, and drive all through the night.

No traffic once you passed through the DC-NYC megalopolis.

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philly1750 OP t1_ivld1y6 wrote

I-81 is very scenic in general especially in Pennsylvania. Despite all the trucks, it still makes for a good drive, as it beats I-95 any day. I’ve never really had a problem with the truckers on 81, as I’m used to driving on ON-401 which is also full of 18 wheelers.

About 95, it’s full of tolls and traffic, and it’s a pretty boring drive. It’s only interesting because you get to pass through big cities but either than that it’s a waste.

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SasquatchGroomer t1_ivj70ut wrote

Try it! Your alternate route is a prettier drive.

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gohabs31 t1_ivp243a wrote

if you really want a scenic drive and don’t mind tacking on a bit of time you should make your way to route 16 in NH. It will bring you to plenty of backroads in VT and then State Route 3 to Route 110 which has plenty of scenic views. Route 16 is well known for the scenery and has lots of tourism attractions like pinkham notch and conway area. Follow route 16 all the way to the Dover area and you can hop right on I95 to bring you south to boston or anywhere south. Hope this helps

Edit: This is the route that I take to Montréal all the time and I love the drive.

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