We are riding Boston to Seattle to SoCal this summer/fall. I have most of it planned except for Boston to Albany (where we will pick up the Erie Canal trail). Gonna take Minuteman rail trail out of Boston to Concord, MA. Wondering which (safe/quiet) roads to take to get over to Albany, NY. Rte 2 is a death trap. Any advice??? (Thinking of riding Norwottuck Rail Trail from east of Amherst to west of Northampton) Is it worth going south through CT?
Thanks!

I wouldn't worry about traffic west of the Connecticut River in the Berkshires, even on Route 2. I don't live there, but the rides I have done in northwestern MA have been nice and traffic has never been an issue. I rode Route 2 from North Adams to Charlemont years ago and it was a beautiful ride, much of it along the Deerfield River. I believe that section is still part of the annual Mt. Greylock Century ride. A popular club ride climbs Route 2 from Petersburg, NY to Williamstown,
MA over Petersburg Pass, about a 1500' climb, and returns to NY via Route 43. Route 43 from Williamstown, MA to Stephentown, NY is flat and a nice ride. I have no recollection of Route 2 from Petersburg to Troy, NY. Route 43 from Stephentown to Albany is a decent ride, but you have to cross a series of small hills. You'll probably do about 1200-1500' of vertical in that section.