Atlas Obscura:
The Merritt Parkway is a four-lane highway, with a large and wooded median in between. The lanes are narrow, there are no streetlights, and it’s completely surrounded by forest. The on-ramps are almost nonexistent, meaning that getting onto the road can be a bit like the initial descent of a roller coaster. The best part, however, is that no trucks are allowed–it’s a zippy car haven. And the cars do go fast.
I used to live in Westport and Danbury CT and, even though it added quite a bit of time to the trip, I always tried to take the Merrit Parkway. When the traffic was light, it was a high speed run into New York City. In the fall, it was one of the prettiest roads I have even been on. If you’re ever in the New York city area and have a car and a few hours to kill, drive the Merrit.
Also a Danbury resident here, working in Fairfield, and I have to disagree…I avoid the Merritt at all costs. It’s second only to the Taconic in NY in terms of most terrifying roads to drive on for me. And this time of year, the deer just wait on the shoulders for cars to come…for ME to come. It’s white knuckle all they way, and the commuters to/from NYC rushing to get to work or to get home (all trying to beat traffic by taking the Merritt instead of 95…good luck!) make this road anything but a relaxing scenic ride. Yes, it’s a beautiful road compared to other highways, but it’s so congested and dangerous that, for me, it doesn’t have the appeal that the article describes.
I certainly couldn’t disagree with your assessment but for me, riding a motorcycle during non-rush hour times, the Merrit could be a lot of fun. Certainly, from a rider POV, significantly safer than 95. The potholes on that road can literally destroy a motorcycle.
I took my motorcycle on the Merritt to take the long way home one afternoon…traffic wasn’t too bad but it was the deer that scared me the most. I haven’t taken the Merritt north/east of Bridgeport, so maybe it clears up as you move up the coast. 58 between fairfield and bethel is my daily commute and a great motorcycle ride!
The deer are certainly nerve-wracking, but the drive is superior to 95. Too bad there aren’t many roads like this left in the U.S. Too bad the Greenwich hedge fund douchebags use it as their personal racetrack. But this time of year, it’s hard to beat.
Yea but you have to pay tolls!