It is 190 miles from Boston to New York. The Acela take 3.5 hours.
That is 54 MPH
DC is about 200 from NYC and it takes 2 hours and 45 minutes
That is 72 MPH if you don't stop in Philadelphia.
Harry would be much better off, time wise and cost wise, by driving.
I consider a lot of factors when I take a trip. Time and cost are only
two of them. We're going up to New Haven later this year on the Acela, a
four and a half hour trip, and pleasant...no Interstate traffic,
comfortable, even scenic in a couple of places, and a decent snack car
and clean bathrooms. No fuss, no muss.
I don't drive to NYC. I prefer the train. There's really very little
that is pleasant along I-95.