Best "rest stops" on I84 to I90.

Exit 9 Sturbridge. Lots of great local restaurants and only an hour from Boston most days. Give a PM when your dates are settled. I'll journey that way and show you some good spots. Plenty of good parking too

 

Depends how far you can drive without stopping.
Food, gas, easy off - easy on stops would be...
Manchester, CT. - is built up with many options, but can be busy.
West Hartford, CT. - has a mall area with options, but can be busy.
Southbury, CT. - has smaller strip mall type areas, they also can be busy.
Danbury, CT. - has a large mall area...also can be busy. Once you pass Danbury your into NY.

Timing will determine how hassle free the stops are. Another option if you plan to travel at a peak travel time is I-84W, X-57(HFD) to I-91S, X-18(Meriden) to I-691W, back to I-84W. On this path Rocky Hill has options. HFD and W.HFD are bottle necks at rush hour.

 

I make that trip in reverse occasionally, I84 to I90 driving up to Mass from NJ.

I've made a few stops (Frank Pepe's, Nardelli's), looking for a few more for my next trip!!!

 

apparently the exit at UCONN on 84 in Tolland CT is quite popular... I was there and heard stories about it being huge with the NYC to NE travellers. First off there is a wine store with insane closeout deals on top champagne bottle. And below that store is a .... Gents club etc... and no I did not go to it

 

I use an iPhone ap called iExit. Gives you everything you need to know within 1.5 mi of any Interstate Exit in the USA. You can customize it for your favorite fast food joints hotel chain and gas station. Best if your passenger is using it of course!

iExit
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All in Northeastern CT:

Rein's Deli in Vernon CT is the real deal, NY style and better than most places I've eaten at in Manhattan. Well regarded by the locals and it's very close to I-84.

Tons of stuff in Manchester, Adams Mill is quite good for lunch and I can park the Ferrari there without concern. Probably 1 mile from exit 74... worth googling IMO. Avoid the malls and their so-called restaurants where your meal comes from a #10 can.

An interesting place is the Traveler Restaurant in Union CT. Food is good -- not great gourmet dining, but it's also a bookstore... you get a free book with your meal. Fun place if you're into that sort of thing. (I already got the copy of Original Ferrari V8, but you never know what will turn up.)

I agree with BluNart on Sturbridge... lots there.

The only other thing I'll mention is to mind your speed from Danbury CT into NY State... the first 50 or so miles into NYS are heavily monitored -- much more than I90 between Boston and Auburn, for example.

I don't know anything about dining in NY State along the 84 corridor... I always drive straight through.

 

Not dining related, but I 84 related..

I just came thru 84 last week, and in Port Jervais at the NY PA line, there is bridge construction, and they are also building a crossover for future work, so it is 1 lane each way for about 10 miles, and can get backed up.

FYI