My solution when driving to Connecticut is to avoid I-95 altoger and take I-81 to I-84. That way, no Philadelphia/NYC and no no New Jersey!
And I-81 is such a nicer drive. Beautiful scenery!! d:^)
I actually did that on a road trip last year. I booked a hotel in Massachusetts near New Hampshire, and to get there, I took 81 to 84 to 90 (MassPike) to 495 (Beltway around Boston) to my hotel. That didn’t get me out of horrendous traffic in Connecticut, however.