I476 Commute (Allentown, Norristown, King of Prussia: house, construction, live)

[RichardMNixon]

Looking to take a job in Allentown while my wife works in Wilmington, DE. It looks like we cut the commute roughly in half if we settle in Norristown or Plymouth Meeting, where google says I can get to Allentown in about an hour on 476. Is that realistic if I can adjust my schedule to avoid traffic? Am I being too optimistic? I've looked at taking 29 or 309 up but they seem worse than 476. Thoughts?

I've seen seen threads here before asking about center city to allentown and people usually advise against it; would it be more realistic if I could skip the traffic inside Philly and be right by 476 from the start? Thanks!

[Whatdoesthefoxsay65]

Originally Posted by RichardMNixon

Looking to take a job in Allentown while my wife works in Wilmington, DE. It looks like we cut the commute roughly in half if we settle in Norristown or Plymouth Meeting, where google says I can get to Allentown in about an hour on 476. Is that realistic if I can adjust my schedule to avoid traffic? Am I being too optimistic? I've looked at taking 29 or 309 up but they seem worse than 476. Thoughts?

I've seen seen threads here before asking about center city to allentown and people usually advise against it; would it be more realistic if I could skip the traffic inside Philly and be right by 476 from the start? Thanks!

Are you trying to go to Allentown from Wilmington? If so, then going from 76 to 95 is fine because it does not start to get packed until you get to that little extension in Center City.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=truli...ed=0CAoQ_AUoAg

Norristown to Allentown
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=truli...ed=0CAoQ_AUoAg

So yeah, there you go! 76 is fine! So yes, get by 476 in the first place, not 76. Get it?

[KatWag]

Definitely a good choice to be that near 476. Most days you should be fine. There are accidents periodically and traffic problems. Plus, 476 has a major widening project going on. But given the locations of your jobs it sounds like a pretty good option.

[Steeeve]

Yes, that's a good plan. There normally isn't too much traffic up the northeast extension. Trust me, you do not want to take 309 up to Allentown. Plymouth Meeting would be a good choice for you.

[RichardMNixon]

Good to know, thanks!

Originally Posted by Whatdoesthefoxsay65

Are you trying to go to Allentown from Wilmington?

Nah, one of us will go from X to Allentown and one of us will go from X to Wilmington, just wanted to make sure there's an X that wouldn't make us both miserable.

[dab13]

I'll preface by saying this is coming from a Delaware County perspective... I'm not sure how you'll fair farther north up the Blue route...

but in my opinion 476 MIGHT be a decent choice, at least for mornings if you leave early enough, but it jams up every single day in both directions during rush hour and I think it's particularly bad for afternoon commutes. It is always really bad through Swarthmore where it narrows to 2 lanes, which is going to be pretty unavoidable if Delaware is one of the destinations... I know things typically start to get rough around the Villanova exit that time of day.

perhaps a back way using 202 might be a decent option? not sure what that would look like during commutes though...

[Angus215]

The Wilmington commute will be much worse than the Allentown commute. The "Blue Route" (476 south of the PA Turnpike) is horrible, as is I-95. Going north on 476 to Allentown shouldn't be too bad, although you do hear about accidents in that stretch frequently. Plymouth Meeting is about as good an option as you're going to get, in any event.

[toobusytoday]

Having lived in most of the areas you are talking about, I agree with the posters that your wife's commute to Wilmington is going to be much worse than yours to Allentown. My husband worked in King of Prussia and commuted to where we lived on the state line of DE (in PA) for several years. He absolutely hated it. There are many places along the roads that just clump up with traffic.

My husband next got a job off of the Quakertown exit and commuted from our Delaware county home up the Northeast Extension until we sold our house (that took about a year) and hated that as well. We've lived in the Lehigh Valley for 17+ years and the problem you will have on our section of the turnpike is the construction and weather. It's usually colder and snowier up here. I think they are not anticipating finishing the turnpike roadwork for another TWO years. Northeast Extension Widening Final Plans Shown at Open House - Government - Montgomeryville-Lansdale, PA Patch

And after all that negative talk, you have decided on the best possible compromise for both of you. Good luck with your move and travels.

[RichardMNixon]

Thanks again, all!

Originally Posted by dab13

perhaps a back way using 202 might be a decent option? not sure what that would look like during commutes though...

We've looked in Phoenixville as well and found some homes there we really like, so 202 would be a workable option in that case.

From Phoenixville though I'd be more likely to go north on 100. I realize it won't be as much of a freeway as 476, but is it tolerable or really badly congested?

[toobusytoday]

Rt 100 will not be crowded or congested for the most part, but it's an old road and you can get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle for a long stretch. On snowy days it will not be as well maintained at the the turnpike. I wouldn't bother with 100, I'd make your way to 663 and then take the turnpike for the last leg between Quakertown and Allentown. Your wife's commute would be better than your original choices.