<p>After lurking here for a while and not having any great knowledge to share I've finally found a question I can help answer - about travel routes near NJ!!</p>
<p>You will be taking route 84 from Middletown Ct to Poughkeepsie - this will take you over the Hudson River on the Newburgh Beacon bridge which is a good thing. This will avoid the Tappan Zee or George Washington Bridge crossings that others have mentioned. </p>
<p>Definitely avoid I95 through Newark. It's congested and easily avoided. You could take the NY Thruway to 287 as others have suggested. However, if you are not used to alot of traffic this is not a fun route. Despite living in NJ most of my life I am a somewhat chicken driver. If it was me I'd take a slightly longer route (but less congested so possibly faster route ) through eastern Pennslyvania. Do a mapquest search from Poughkeepsie to Port Jervis NY and then to your final destination in PA to get exact route numbers. Still major highways but you avoid the NYC area traffic. </p>
<p>If you need a lunch stop between Middletown and Poughkeepsie I suggest the Route 9 exit in Fishkill - about 90 minutes outside of Middletown - easy on and off with lots of restaurant choices.</p>