Enter Interstate Route 287 in New Jersey from either Interstate Route 80 or Route 280. Route 287 can be also be accessed from most of New Jersey's major highways, such as the New Jersey Turnpike or Route 95 and Route 78. Continue north on Route 287. When you cross the state line at Suffern, N.Y., Route 287 joins Route 87, the New York State Thruway and Governor Thomes E. Dewey Thruway.
Continue on Route 287/87 North past Suffern for 20 miles to the the Tappan Zee Bridge roadway entrance and pay the toll. As of early 2011 there is a $5 toll on the eastern crossing side only. The bridge has six lanes, three running in each direction. When you cross the bridge continue on Route 287/87 for five miles to Elmsford where Routes 287 and 87 split.
Turn right at the split and get on Route 87 South. Remain on Route 87 South through Westchester County and Yonkers for 10 miles, eventually arriving in Manhattan. You can continue east at the split at Route 287 as it joins the Cross Westchester Expressway. Four miles past White Plains on this route you can exit Route 287 and enter Route 684 North, which will take you to Connecticut and New England.
Make your way to New England via Route 95. Pass by the interstate Route 684 turn off and remain on Route 287 for 10 miles. Exit on Route 95 North, which joins the Connecticut Turnpike and New England Thruway near Port Chester. Reverse the steps above when traveling east to west.
