Albany NY to Newberyport Ma

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

I'm looking for suggestions for the fastest route from Albany to Doug Kerr's pizza meet, but allowing me to collect all the counties in western Massachusetts.
I was thinking of following I-90 east to suburban Springfield, then taking US 202 north to Ma 2 east to I-495 to the Newburyport meet.
Is that my best option, or would there be a quicker route that would still maximize clinching counties in Massachusetts?

[froggie]

That's one option, though instead of slogging through Holyoke you could stay on the Mass Pike to MA 21 north to US 202.

Another option would be Mass Pike to I-91 to MA 9 East to MA 116 North then take back roads from North Amherst over to US 202 in Shutesbury.

A final option is Mass Pike to I-91 to MA 2.  This is the only routing that completely eliminates traffic signals and (except thru Millers Falls and Erving) speed limits lower than 50.  It's a longer distance but similar time-wise to the other options.

[Rothman]

Heh.  The fastest way to Boston from my home as a kid was to take dirt roads (e.g.  Pratt Corners Road) to Shutesbury and then out to US 202.  I wouldn't recommend going that way if you're coming from the Pike and are new to the area.

I liked the MA 21 to US 202 option.