Best route to take from Oakland to I-79 (Washington, Bath: home, area)

[escilade18]

I have an appointment near Washington PA later and was wondering if there were any better alternatives to take to I79 than the parkway. I would be leaving Oakland around five which is just in time for rush hour. I can't think of any better routes but imput would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[greg42]

IMO, no, just grin and bear it on the Parkway. Hope the appointment is at least at 6:30 or later.

[SammyKhalifa]

Yeah, I think you're stuck.

[escilade18]

Originally Posted by greg42

IMO, no, just grin and bear it on the Parkway. Hope the appointment is at least at 6:30 or later.

that's what I feared and it is at 6:30 so I guess I'll just pray for no accidents to back up traffic even more. Thanks

[greg42]

Leave as many minutes early as possible (preferably about 30 for a better on-time cushion ). 5:00 is right in the peak and it's going to suck.

Keep your eyes/ears on a traffic report too in case of accident. Hearing the usual backup won't do you much good, but if there's an accident on the Parkway West Outbound you want to know about it, or I-79 south.

[fleetiebelle]

I'd almost suggest either taking the Birmingham Bridge to the South Side and then cutting up and over 18th St. to Bausman to get down to 51, or taking the Parkway getting off of the Grant St exit, going over the Smithfield St. bridge to Sycamore St and cutting over Mt. Washington to 51 and getting on 376 there.

[Burghgirl17]

It really just depends on the day. Yesterday, there was not much traffic on the parkway between the tunnel and 79. We flew home from downtown to our exit off of 79. Other days it stinks and you sit there for awhile.

Getting out of Oakland itself can be its own challenge.

[Blackbeauty212]

Well all you need is to get to the other side of the Tunnel and you're good with the Outbound Parkway...So I'd take the Liberty Bridge and Tunnel to 51 to the Parkway...Depending on the time of day the Liberty Bridge moves pretty well except for the 5o'clock hr if then I'd cut through the S Side to skip the Liberty Bridge the Tunnel is never an issue, maybe a 1-2 light cycle wait at the worst and its still worlds better than sitting in the Bathtub inching along to that monster of a merge on the Ft Pitt Bridge.

[WestLibertyAve]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Depending on the time of day the Liberty Bridge moves pretty well except for the 5o'clock hr if then I'd cut through the S Side to skip the Liberty Bridge the Tunnel is never an issue, maybe a 1-2 light cycle wait at the worst and its still worlds better than sitting in the Bathtub inching along to that monster of a merge on the Ft Pitt Bridge.

As long as McArdle remains closed, the Liberty Bridge and Tunnel are a nightmare in the afternoon. Usually 15-20 minutes from the courthouse to 51.

Edit: But still a better option than the central Parkway aka "bathtub" area

[greg42]

So did you make it? Hope so.