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I think New Jersey folks would have the best information...thanks!
Of course the fastest, shortest way isn't the cheapest....which would you pick? Save money or time?
I'll actually be commuting from the Philly Airport once a week....to Robbinsville, NJ....about 50 miles.. And I'm torn between wanting to save the Turnpike tolls -- versus -- a longer drive.
Need to be in Robbinsville by 8a. Planning to allow an hour, 15 mins
I've Google mapped it and used Waze for options. But haven't done the drive yet.
1/2 my friends say it's only once a week, pay the $6 for the Turnpike and have a less stressful drive.
1/2 say it's only once a week, take the 10 minute longer route and save the $6.
1) Are my times off -- or accurate -- for how long the drives would take?
2) I do think the Turnpike route would be less stressful, fewer cars, I'm imagining. As compared to on 295, and I'm not thrilled about the 295, 42,76 mixing bowl area especially in Rush Hour.
3) I-95 North through Philly is no picnic either as for congestion, but at least 3 roads aren't merging.
Three main options:
-- Up I-95 on the PA side, to the Turnpike Bridge.....NJ Turnpike to 195 East
(This is 49.5 miles, AND 9 times out of 10 the fastest, but only by at the most 10 minutes depending on which other option I'd take.)
(This costs $6.00 for the Turnpike -- $3 each way, plus the bridge toll back to PA. So $11 a day.)
-- Up I-95 on the PA side, to the Turnpike Bridge, get off at Florence and go up 130 to either 206 or 195
(This would be about ten minutes longer than the NJ Turnpike)
(This costs only bridge toll back to PA, no NJ Turnpike either way -- so only $5.)
-- Walt Whitman, to 295 North all the way to I-195 East at White Horse/South Trenton
(This is 51.8 miles, almost always longer than the Turnpike by about 5 minutes. BUT SOME days the maps say THIS IS the fastest)
(Only $5.00 bridge toll back to PA, no NJ Turnpike either way.)
I used to do a somewhat similar commute. I would take 295 in a minute. Yes, you'll hit some traffic between the 42/295 junction and Cherry Hill (maybe up to Mt. Laurel), but it's pretty much smooth sailing after that. It sounds like you will be traveling early enough that you won't hit the thickest traffic time. Not that there will be no traffic, but a little later in the morning means heavier traffic.
You'll be early enough so 295N won't be that bad, just stay in the 2nd lane from right until after the last merge before 295.
Coming back 295S will be worse, then I'd consider the NJ turnpike. Stay off I-95, the road and traffic sucks.
njmom66, can you elaborate on your reasoning for me?
Is it the money? Or the drive?
Option 1 is almost always the fastest.
Thanks
My reasoning is, 95 through Philly just sucks. There's always traffic, or construction, or accidents. I do whatever i can to avoid that stretch of road. 295 is just an easier drive. If it tacks on an extra 5-7 minutes, still worthwhile in my opinion.
KYW Radio (1060 AM) is your friend. Every 10 minutes they update the traffic. They have saved me from driving into a traffic jam many times. Maybe pick one route to use regularly and keep the other route as an alternate in case KYW tells you there's a jam-up on your main route.
Well, I took the alt Whitman to 295N to 195E -- the longest way by miles.
I'm sure 95N in Philly, and then going east across the Turnpike Bridge and Jersey Turnpike would be faster. But it's only by not even 10 mins.
As I got off 95 and crossed the WW and headed south to head North on 295 North -- I must admit I kept thinking I could be up to Callowhill by now. But leaving at 6:35, the trip was only about 55 minutes so I guess I can't complain.
Now -- coming home down 295 (leaving Robbinsville at 4:45p) -- totally different story. Slow from 38 all the way down to right before Bellmawr.
Last edited by selhars; 12-14-2022 at 05:47 PM..
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