Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
The main advice I would give is to understand that there is no "good way" to get to Gilette. This is going to be an all day affair. SD is a night game, so that technically means an all afternoon and night affair. Also it will be be even longer than normal as SD is a top draw game for the year. The sooner you get over trying to shave off a half hour here or there, or try to "beat traffic" in even the smallest way, the happier the whole thing will be for you.
Get to the stadium around 5:30pm if you want time to do anything before the game. Here is a typical break down from a season ticket holder:
- From the time you hit Rt 1, plan on 45 minutes to be "parked."
- Plan 30 minutes to get from your car into your seat (this is the most variable thing to predict as it depends on the game, the current terrorist threat level and the speed of the pat downs, and the entrance you take and where your seats actually are, mine are up in the 300 level).
- Add in time for sightseeing
- Add in time for tailgating/eating before the game
For a big night game, don't plan on getting home till at least 2 or 2:30am. Depending on where you park, you could easily sit in the lot for a hour after the game. This is the thing I see most frustrating people - waiting in their cars trying to get out. Eventually the exit rotation comes around and they let cars out, but I have vastly enjoyed my times there by just not even trying. (This is also why you'll not benefit by leaving the game early.) Now, we relax, pull out a couple chairs and our desert and have a post game mini-tailgate every time and it's awesome.
If luck breaks your way, and you find a good lot to park (or be dropped off and picked-up in) or any number of other factors, you'll possibly beat these times. There are lots of shortcuts and alternate lots and various things people do to get in and out faster, but these change all the time (we used to save a bunch of time parking in P-9 but the new construction last year ruined that). Now I don't even try. I suggest you mentally throw away your watch and just roll with it for the best time ever.
P.S. Never seen cabs there. Not sure the Train leaves you time for sight-seeing. I'd suggest renting a car, or checking into a limo/livery service.