Going to Hershey Park on thurs - need direction advice (Pittsburgh: home, construction)

[GoYanks34]

*I also posted this on the NJ forum but since a majority of my trip will be through PA I thought I'd seek some advice from the PA forum too

This is the first time I will be traveling to Hershey Park from my new location in Lakewood, NJ and I have 2 options (according to Google). I am not familiar with any of these highways (used to take the NJTPKE to 78 when I was up north) and would appreciate any advice on the best route to take. I will be leaving around 6:30 - 7:00am. Would most likely be crossing the border into PA around 7:30 - 8 am.

#1 195W (NJ) to 276W to 76W

#2 195 W (NJ) to 276W to 202S to 30W to 283W

If anyone has any experience with these highways during morning rush hour or know of a better way to get there I would appreciate any feedback!

[philly333]

Definitely option 1 (PA Turnpike), as 202, 30, etc are more local roads - though they would be a good option if there was an accident, etc on the Turnpike. Philly area traffic is on 1060am (on the "2s"). It's probably worth listening and if there are any incidents on the Turnpike (you'll want to listen for westbound west of Valley Forge (where you'd exit for 202) or Downingtown) you can go with option 2.

[GoYanks34]

Originally Posted by philly333

Definitely option 1 (PA Turnpike), as 202, 30, etc are more local roads - though they would be a good option if there was an accident, etc on the Turnpike. Philly area traffic is on 1060am (on the "2s"). It's probably worth listening and if there are any incidents on the Turnpike (you'll want to listen for westbound west of Valley Forge (where you'd exit for 202) or Downingtown) you can go with option 2.

Thanks for the advice! One more question: Google has me taking 195 W to route 29 N to route 1 S (says West City Ave S but on the map it says route 1) to the Penn Tpke - should I just get on the NJTPKE S and get on 276 directly or do the above?

Thanks!

[Gerania]

I'd take the NJTP; it seems much more straight forward.

[GoYanks34]

That's what I thought but I just wanted to be sure that wasn't an easier/faster way.

Thanks!

[ki0eh]

For getting from I-76/PA Turnpike to Hersheypark it's best to get off at PA 72 Lebanon-Lancaster interchange 266, and taking PA 72 north (left turn after the tollbooth) to 322 west (stay in left lane after cresting the hill) and around the west end of Hershey (don't turn when 322 does) onto PA 39 west/Hersheypark Drive. That's more straightforward than coming from the Harrisburg East interchange 247 and backtracking. By 9:30-9:45 am local rush hour traffic on 322 will be past.

[GoYanks34]

Originally Posted by ki0eh

For getting from I-76/PA Turnpike to Hersheypark it's best to get off at PA 72 Lebanon-Lancaster interchange 266, and taking PA 72 north (left turn after the tollbooth) to 322 west (stay in left lane after cresting the hill) and around the west end of Hershey (don't turn when 322 does) onto PA 39 west/Hersheypark Drive. That's more straightforward than coming from the Harrisburg East interchange 247 and backtracking. By 9:30-9:45 am local rush hour traffic on 322 will be past.

I think I see what you mean - stay on 322 and don't turn on Cocoa ave - instead go straight to 39 and go around the other way. Is that correct?

Thanks for the tip!

[ki0eh]

Originally Posted by GoYanks34

I think I see what you mean - stay on 322 and don't turn on Cocoa ave - instead go straight to 39 and go around the other way. Is that correct?

That's correct, especially now as there is major construction at and just north of the 743/422 intersection, a large mound of dirt obscures the locally iconic street intersection sign of Chocolate and Cocoa avenues. (No matter, there are actually imitation signs both several blocks west, and in the Park.)

[Dawne]

So - how was Hersheypark? Did you like it? Hope you had a wonderful time!

[GoYanks34]

Originally Posted by Dawne

So - how was Hersheypark? Did you like it? Hope you had a wonderful time!

It was awesome - had great weather and met up with some good friends I don't get to see very often (one from Maryland and another from Pittsburgh). My only complaint was that Skyrush broke my back - what a horribly violent coaster! And I'm a coaster enthusiast with a Six Flags season pass LOL! If any of you go don't make the mistake I did and put your hands in the air - the end of the hill into that first turn is a doozie! The nice thing is now Skyrush is open Storm Runner (my personal favorite) was a walk on all day so I got plenty of front seat rides and that eased the pain.

I love Hershey and try to go once a year. It's such an under-rated park IMO. Although each year they get stingier and stingier after the chocolate tour - this year I got a bag of 3 chocolate covered almonds! Remember when they gave out full size candy bars? I said next year we're all going to get one Jolly Rancher.

Thanks for asking and for all of you who gave such great advice - the directions were perfect. Hit some traffic on 276 on the way in but it wasn't too bad. On the way home a lot of 40 mph one lane construction zones though - took me longer to get home than to get there during rush hour. Go figure...